installing plasma gas fire

helen81_2

Hi,

Ive been told by a plumber that in order for my plasma gas fire to be installed,I need to have air bricks installed on the outside wall first..otherwise all my walls will turn black! :eek:

Is this true cos my thoughts are that having an open air vent in the same room as the fire kinda defeats the purpose of the fire?? (heat going straight out of the air vents?!) Im confused!

Anyone with any experience dealing with these fires?
Thanks, Helen x

Volcano

Go here: http://www.focalpointfires.plc.uk/page3.html

and click on the fire marked 'catalytic flueless' which gives you the installation instructions.

All gas fires need ventilation (i.e. oxygen) to burn and this is what the airbricks will provide.

As an aside: Flueless gas fires work by using a catalytic converter to convert any poisonous carbon monoxide to less harmful carbon dioxide, with no flue for ecaping gases it is critical that this works.

What worries me is that these need replacing every 11,000 hours (approx 10 years) of use. Who's going to remember to do that? What happens if it fails early? Without any flue for the gases to escape, this could be potentially very serious.

Even with the fire working properly you will need ventilation to release the extra water vapour that will be vented into the room. Plasma fires look cool as hell, but I wouldn't have one myself.

helen81_2

Oh no!!!!

Weve made an expensive mistake then!?

Wonder why they are so popular at the mo if there such a hassle!?

Thanks for your help though x

Volcano

They're so popular because they look good and you don't need a chimney. I just think that in a few years time their shortcomings will show and people will be ripping them out and replacing them.

helen81_2

OH says that anything gas needs to be checked every year by a corgi registered plumber..so surely is safe afterall as any dangerous leak would be picked up on?

Helen x

John_3:16

We have a flueless gas fire and yes you need an air vent. we have had the fire 2 years and are about to have it serviced. No wasted heat up the chimney. The fire is far better than a gas hob. Those fumes do not even go through a cat.
There is a little smell as it heats up for 5 mins then its fine lovely and warm. We have had no problems with condensation. Talking to the tech dept we got the fire from they said it gave out about as much moisture as 2 extra people.

Most gas fires loose 40% so having one that is !00% Efficient is great. We also have a carbon monoxide detecter in the room so whats the problem.

nearlyrich

I don't think not having an airbrick would make your walls go black but you need to ensure there is enough oxygen in the room or you could have problems.

We decided against a flueless fire because of the airbrick, we decided to go for a balanced flue fire instead, it looks fab on and off. We didn't bother with the tiles and our paint is a little darker but it looks very much like this.