How Do I Choose the Best Floor Furnace?

The best floor furnace will provide a safe supply of warm air for a room and run efficiently for greater energy savings. Many homeowners choose a floor furnace as opposed to a central heating system since the small appliance warms a specific area rather than the entire house. A quality floor furnace will have multiple heating settings that you can alter for the comfort and safety of loved ones.

When shopping for a floor furnace, you can normally inspect the appliance's outside housing. You should make sure that the housing is constructed of a non-flammable and strong material, such as sheet metal or thick aluminum. The physical construction should be sturdy with no visible gaps at the corner joints.

A key part to inspect is the gas flue venting on the furnace's rear. The vent, or opening, allows dangerous fumes to leave the furnace, releasing them through an attached flue or chimney. Vent openings should not have a small diameter; the aperture should be relatively large, compared to the furnace size, to allow the fumes to move quickly out of the appliance. Fumes that build up within the furnace may emanate into the home, causing illness or even possible death.

The floor furnace grill or cover should be removable for cleaning; however, safety mechanisms should be in place to prevent accidental removal. Access to the furnace's interior can result in burns if the cover is accidentally removed. If possible, you can try to remove the cover on the furnace before purchasing to ensure that the construction is safe for your home.

U.S. consumers can verify the energy efficiency of the furnace by noting the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) listed on the retail packaging. Floor furnaces are not the most energy efficient of all heating appliances, but an adequate AFUE value would range between 68 and 72 percent. The higher the percentage, the better the energy efficiency and cost savings over time.

Heat settings on the floor furnace should have at least a high and low setting. A higher quality floor furnace may have more settings, such as low, medium, and high. The multiple settings provide comfort within the home, as well as safety. The household's energy bill will not be as high with an adjustable floor furnace, saving money and retaining an energy efficient space. Additionally, you should be able to turn the furnace to low if young children are playing in the room to prevent accidental burns.