Wall Heater Installation and Replacement
Many older Bay Area homes and apartments still heat with a gas wall furnace. We replace worn-out wall heaters with new gas units, or with a ductless mini-split when you want heating and cooling. CSLB #1146520.
Recent Project
Williams Gravity-Vent Wall Furnace in Lafayette
A rental tenant had no heat. The thermostat worked but the 1960s wall heater did not, and the unit had no identification tags, so parts could not be found for a repair. We replaced it with a Williams gravity-vent wall furnace, new venting and a new digital thermostat. The owner later had us install the same system in a second apartment.
Your Options
Replace It or Switch Systems
New gas wall furnace
The closest like-for-like replacement. It uses the existing wall location and gas line, with new venting where needed.
Ductless mini-split
A heat pump that heats and cools, mounted high on the wall. Single-zone systems start at $6,500.
Mini-split installationCentral furnace
For homes that already have, or can take, ductwork. Covers every room from one system.
Furnace installationWhen to Replace
Signs a Wall Heater Should Be Replaced
- No heat while the thermostat calls for it, and parts for the model are no longer available
- A pilot that will not stay lit after the thermocouple has been checked
- Rust, scorch marks or a cracked heat chamber
- A unit old enough that it has no identification tag for ordering parts
Gas or Electric
Gas Wall Furnace vs. Ductless Mini-Split
A new gas wall furnace keeps the heating you have, in the spot you have it, usually for the lowest upfront cost. A ductless mini-split is a heat pump: it runs on electricity, adds air conditioning and gives each room its own control, at a higher upfront cost.
Bay Area air rules are moving homes away from gas appliances over time. If you plan to stay in the home for years, it is worth pricing both options at the estimate. Our post on heat pumps vs. gas furnaces covers the trade-offs.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a wall heater be replaced with a mini-split?
Yes. A ductless mini-split mounts on the wall and both heats and cools. Single-zone systems start at $6,500, and the written quote covers what happens to the old wall heater.
Do you install wall heaters in apartments and rentals?
Yes. The Lafayette project above was a rental, and the owner had us install the same system in a second apartment.
How long does a wall heater replacement take?
Most like-for-like gas wall furnace replacements are completed in one visit. Jobs that need new venting or a new gas line take longer, and the quote states the scope.
Can you replace a wall heater in a rental unit?
Yes. The Lafayette project above was a rental, and the owner had us install the same system in a second apartment.
Replace Your Wall Heater
Book an in-home estimate and get a written quote for a new wall furnace or a mini-split.