help understanding built in fire

zebedy

HI,

I have a fireplace with the chimney sealed off. I want to put one of those effect fires in.

Can anyone explain about them please (electric versus gas etc). Would I need to get the chimney unsealed.

The room does have radiators but I do want the fire for extra heating (large room) and for aesthetics.

Any help/explanations would be great as I have no idea where to start with this

ormus

you dont need a flue for an electric fire. for a gas fire you need a proper chimney flue and most likely a liner for the flue.
fairly expensive.

A.Penny.Saved

If your central heating is working correctly a fire shouldn't be needed.

I would say that electric fires are more expensive to run but could be used for decoration purposes. That is what I am planning on doing, I have had the old gas fire disconnected and I intend removing the fire place and plasterboard centre out cove that was put in that hides a metal chimney pipe. When that has been removed I will fit a fire surround and electric fire against the party wall. That is meant as a decorative feature and I don't intend using it for heating.

I would say that your heating probably isn't functioning correctly. Maybe having a radiator replaced might be a more effective option. Convection radiators provide a lot more heat than old panel radiators. Thermostatic radiator valves are meant to be fitted with modern condensing Combi boilers to help maintain room temperature.

So do you really need a fire to provide heating?

tony6403

I wouldn't be happy with one but you can buy flueless gas fires ( I assume , however , that they must comply with the regulations )
Have a look at http://www.cvo.co.uk/fireplace/flueless-gas-fires.htm for examples.

Gloomendoom

Flueless fires exhaust into the room. They give off loads of water vapour which could give you a condensation problem. However, if you keep the house warm with the central heating and don't mind the raised humidity this might not be an issue.