FHA And Floor Furnaces

[Nick1985]

Have a possible order coming my way for a residence with a floor furnaces as the only heat source. I don't see anything in the FHA regards that specifically say that floor furnaces do not qualify... They are permanently affixed and for a small house they can sufficiently heat the home. They wouldn't be typical for the market area, but I would just put it in the same group as all other non-central heating sources. "Other" types of heat sources only make up a small percentage of the market, but they are present.

I remember from my great grandmother's old house that the grates over the furnace could get hot enough to burn your feet if barefoot which could be a safety concern. I came across some article of an appraiser talking about how he only considered them qualifying if the source was not located directly in a walking path, so it would have to be just beside or along a wall and not in the middle of a hallway.

Anyone have any experience dealing with floor furnaces that could provide some insight? Any special conditions required to qualify or other safety concerns?

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

I think as long as it works and heats "adequately" it's OK.

 

[Raven59]

FHA - Automatically heat the living areas of the house to a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit in all GLAs, as well as in non-GLAs containing building or system components subject to failure or damage due to freezing. I believe this was relayed by FHA as passing the test - if the door of a room was shut is there adequate heat to the room? VA - based on a case where the VA made a loan on an Amish home, the heat only needs to be in areas where water/plumbing is present. Fannie - if its adequate and accepted by the market - The improvements should conform to the neighborhood in terms of age, type, design, and materials used for their construction. If there is market resistance to a property because its improvements are not compatible with the neighborhood or with the requirements of the competitive market because of adequacy of plumbing, heating, or electrical services; design; quality; size; condition; or any other reason directly related to market demand, the appraiser must address the impact to the value and marketability of the subject property.

 

[glenn walker]

They are allowed-and before the fifties almost all homes came with wall or floor furnaces.

 

[Raven59]

Attended an FHA training session put on by HUD. Official teaching stated if you shut a door the heat system must be able to maintain 55 in the room. I had a VA property with only a buck stove. VA stated areas with plumbing (kitchen and baths) must maintain adequate heat.