Kenmore furnace/heater

[pennacowboy]

The old farmhouse I am buying has 2 Kenmore/Sears heaters that run on propane and also plug into the wall for the electrical components. They are located on the first floor of the house in the living room and bedroom, stand about 6-7 feet tall and about 18-24 inches across. There is a vent above each one to allow heat to the second floor. There is no central heat source. One of them isn't working and I have never seen this type anywhere before. The fan doesn't come on, so it must be the electrical part that is broken. The propane hasn't been hooked up yet, so I can't tell anything else at this point.

I will try to have it repaired, but if I have to replace it, are these still available. Is it even safe??

Eventually I want to replace it with central heat/air, but this is what I have for now and winter's coming.

[Grady]

Many Sears furnaces are made by ICP division of Carrier (formerly Inter-City Products, formerly Heil-Quaker) & parts are still available for most of them. These furnaces should be hard wired, not plugged in. Other than that I can't tell you anything about their safety without seeing them.

[mattison]

If this is a new "to you" home and have never run the furnaces please get a hvac company in there to go through these things and safety check and clean them. It will cost you $100 - $200 bucks but will be well worth it for your safety.

[pennacowboy]

Thanks for the info, both of you. I'll take your word on it needing to be "hardwired", but sure enough, it has a cord plugged right into the socket on the wall. I absolutely will take your advice on getting a professional to inspect/repair it. Thanks again!