Changing Gas Fire to Open Fire

bethsdad

We are thinking of taking out an old big and ugly gas fire with back-boiler and replacing it with an old combination grate so we can have a log fire. We will also be getting a combi boiler so we won't need the back-boiler any more.

Is there anything we need to know? eg. Will we need to do anything in particular to the chimney? Once the gas fire and back boiler are out, is installation of the new fire quite straight forward? (DIY job?)

jblack_2

Was your fireplace originally an open fire? If it was then it won't be too much work to sort out. You'll need to remove the back boiler. Then the flue liner which runs the full height if the chimney.

There will be holes in the opening where pipes ran through for heating/water/gas etc. These will need to be repaired.

The chimney will need to be swept too.

Have it smoke tested to make sure it's safe.

A new pot may be needed.

Remember to get the gas supply capped well away from the fireplace.

All-in-all it's not really a DIY job if you want it to be safe.

HTH, J

OddjobKIA

if you do get a firm in to do this for you...

KEEP THE COPPER WATER tank at the back they are worth £20+ in scrap value at the moment..

you need to get a corgi registered plumber in to disconnect the fire.

there should be a aluminium liner in the chimney as you have had a gas fire in there that should come out (pulling it hard will do)

shrewdsurfer_dude

bethsdad wrote: »

We are thinking of taking out an old big and ugly gas fire with back-boiler and replacing it with an old combination grate so we can have a log fire. We will also be getting a combi boiler so we won't need the back-boiler any more.

Is there anything we need to know? eg. Will we need to do anything in particular to the chimney? Once the gas fire and back boiler are out, is installation of the new fire quite straight forward? (DIY job?)

Im looking to do the same thing in a house im considering buying, can you tell me how much it cost you to do this work you have described?
thanks,

savemoney

You will get very little heat from a open fire. I have both a open fire (rarely used for reasons stated) and a stove, stove wins hands down but its around 2.5k-3k to have installed with chimney liner

I wish I could get rid of my open fire easily its fairly modern one with fake Victorian surround, very nice but useless. I want a gas fire installed but as I got good laminate down I dont want it lifted up so reluctantly I am at present sticking with CH and occasionally log burner

Honestly we tried open fire most of heat goes up chimney

suisidevw

They say about 85% of heat from open fires goes up compared to 15% from stoves. We have open fire, it cost me £40 inc of materials to fit! Had a gas fire there as well before, had it taken off and I did the work, really really easy to do and it's a great feature in the room. Let me know if you want to see any pics of the installation etc

ormus

far better to fit a "fake coal" gas fire. ours cost 99 quid from a BQ sale.
much more efficient than a real fire.

suisidevw

But most certainly not so 'asthetically' pleasing!

savemoney

Yes its about the opposite of a stove

I miss my real flame gas fire in previous house, although a open fire looks nice price of fuel being very high its can be quite costly having one

suisidevw wrote: »

They say about 85% of heat from open fires goes up compared to 15% from stoves. We have open fire, it cost me £40 inc of materials to fit! Had a gas fire there as well before, had it taken off and I did the work, really really easy to do and it's a great feature in the room. Let me know if you want to see any pics of the installation etc

suisidevw

I suppose I'm just fortunate that I have a free supply of logs, if I had to buy I'd think the same I'm sure!

ormus

suisidevw wrote: »

But most certainly not so 'asthetically' pleasing!

you wont be saying that on a freezing winters morning making up a coal fire!
i just turn a switch.
and my gas fire bills are lower than any coal bill.

open fires are great in olde worlde pubs.
leave em there.