Gas Fire to Coal Fire

Gayle1983

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice as I'm not quite sure where to start.

Moved into our new house in November of last year. It has a gas fire in the living room which was installed by the previous owners. The house was built in about 1913 and I think it would have originally been a coal fire that was installed.

My partner and I really want to change back to a coal fire.

What sort of tradesman should we be contacting to get a quote for this work? There are a couple of fire shops near here but I'm not looking for a new fireplace and hearth, I just want to get the gas fire out, cap the pipe and convert it back to coal.

Does anyone have any ideas how big a job this would be and how much it might cost? We're hoping to get a new carpet laid soon so I'd ideally like to get this work done before that provided it's not too expensive!

Thanks for any help!

Ebe_Scrooge

You'll need a registered gas fitter to remove your existing gas fire and seal off / remove the pipe. Make sure he's "Gas Safe" registered ( the new governing body that replaced CORGI ).

The other thing you'll need is to get the chimney inspected to make sure it's suitable for a coal fire. I'd look for "Chimney Services" in yellow pages. I don't know the requirements for a coal fire compared to a gas flue, but I'm guessing they may well be different. A properly qualified "chimney man" will be able to advise you.

HTH.

suisidevw

The above is spot on with regarding removing the gas fire. Then have it all swept, they will be able to offer advice. A sweep will cost approx £40. From there, you will be able to install a solid fuel fireplace either yourselves in line with building regs or contact a HETAS approved installer or the like to fit for you.........

Gayle1983

suisidevw wrote: »

The above is spot on with regarding removing the gas fire. Then have it all swept, they will be able to offer advice. A sweep will cost approx £40. From there, you will be able to install a solid fuel fireplace either yourselves in line with building regs or contact a HETAS approved installer or the like to fit for you.........

Thanks for the tips! I'm assuming that because the house originally had a coal fire that we won't need any sort of special liner or the likes?

Ebe_Scrooge

Yes, in all likelihood the chimney will be OK - it would be very sensible to get it swept before first use in any case.


B U T ..... this is why I suggested getting a properly qualified person to look. A reputable firm will be able to sweep your chimney, AND check it to make sure it really is OK. If it hasn't been used for a long time ( at least, not for a coal fire ), then the cost of a decent inspection will be far outweighed by the cost of any subsequent damage should you blindly go ahead and use it, only to find there was a small crack that would have only cost a few quid to put right, but has resulted in more expensive damage ....... :-) You get my drift.

Gayle1983

We'll definitely be getting it swept anyway as that was suggested by the man who serviced the gas fire just after we moved in. Totally understand what you mean about spending money now before we go and get all the work done .. better to be safe than sorry!

Swipe

As nice as an open fire is, I'd check the price of coal too before you go ahead. It has gone up loads during the last couple of years and open fires can be very hungry.

suisidevw

I have open fire, fitted myself, use wood sourced locally free..... worth a shout OP?

McKneff

Hello Gayle, have you had a coal fire before.

I grew up with one and until i moved to my present home with gas fire and gas central heating I didnt realise how easy just a flick of the switch or a turn on the thermostat was compared to cleaning firegrates out, filthy job, taking the ashes out, building the fire, all this in the freezing cold till the fire got going, bringing coal in, hunting for logs. Have you looked at the price of coal lately :eek:.

Do you need to be reminded how much hard work it is.

You couldnt pay me enough to go back to a coal fire.

Gayle1983

I had a coal fire growing up and I think I've always longed to have one in my home! I hardly ever use the gas fire we have at the moment as it's just not the same. I don't anticipate we'll be using it every night as we have central heating and the room is reasonably warm as it is. It's more just the homely feel of a real fire that I want

McKneff

Oh right, so its just really for effect and eye comfort. Dont blame you if you have central heating for the house as well.

We also have central heating and did have a gas fire but the warm air heating is instant and brilliant.
We never used the gas fire and had it removed, put a coffee table over the capped pipe and put a very large
light oil painting as a focul point. I dont miss the gas fire or the coal fire.

Good luck and enjoy.