True cost of getting a woodburner fitted

highrisklowreturn

Was talking to a couple of guys today who got me thinking about getting a woodburner. I know I can get a cheap one for £400 for maybe 4kw but didn't do this last winter as I was looking at 2k in installation costs. However these guys told me it isn't necessary to buy the most expensive type of piping for the flue and also the flu out of the stove doesn't have to go the length of the cowl in the chimney.

Is this true and can it be installed for cheaper than I was previously quoted?

Douzeper

I just bought one for £245 from Antrim Builders Yard, 9KW. Fitted it myself, got a right angle flu and put it up the chimney. Used an old hearth to set it on. Built up the gaps and sealed the flu. I'm an ex bricklayer but it can be done cheaper than the crazy prices some people are quoting.

(this was with NO back boiler)

highrisklowreturn

9kw for £245? Isn't that cheap?

What were your total costs?

zonky

hi there

I just got a stove installed recently. It cost me just under 2K to get it installed but the absolute bulk of the cost was to get the external double skin flue. This cost in around 1500 quid. If you are putting in the stove to an existing hearth then the chimney can be used without the great cost but you need to adequately seal it or you wont get the draw needed. single skin flues are nicer to look at but wont pass building regs if they are too near to combustibles.

Hope it helps

Zonky

Douzeper

highrisklowreturn wrote: »

9kw for £245? Isn't that cheap?

What were your total costs?

Yeah seemed like a good price! and it was

As I say, I done all the work myself so that was about it. That was using an existing (clay flu lined) chimney and an old hearth.

As a previous poster has said if you need a full flu that's where the cost is. I took it from your post you are putting this to an existing chimney? apologies if I picked it up wrong.

highrisklowreturn

Yeah it's going onto an existing chimney, not blocked up either. I think it may have still been used for an open fire around 10 years ago.

A.L.D.A

Below is a link to the building regulations. Read L and possibly F1

http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/index/buildings-energy-efficiency-buildings/building-regulations/br-technical-booklets.htm


Enjoy!

pamperedprincess

we have oil heating and an open fire. Fire is not linked to heating system. I would ideally like a wood burner but want it linked to heating system. Couple of questions....

1. How do I know if my chimney needs additional liner (House approx 20 years old)

2. Is it possible to have a wood burner connected to existing heating system and is it a huge job?

3. Could heating system be dual fuel - i.e. linked to wood burner and oil boiler?

ltwf1964

if you are not using a chimney and you are putting a flue through your roofspace and out the roof,if you use a single skin flue through the void above the ceiling you are asking to get your house burnt down.

then when you try to claim off the insurance and you have no installation certificate to cover the fitting,you have no house insurance

so instead of spending a bit more to get it installed correctly,you are out tens of thousands of quid and paying a mortgage for a burnt out shell

and it HAS happened

Mistral001

The situation with regard to new heat appliances is complex and you need to know a lot about the subject and have experience in it before attempting to do it yourself or even to instruct an installer to do it on his own as few are experts in ALL the statuary requirements.

I was told by one Buiding Control officer a few years ago that when you install a new heat appliance it and its installation must by law comply with the Building Regulations, but there is no requirement for you to get building control approval for a new heating appliance and its installation in the same way that you have to get Building Control approval for say a back extension. A bit confusing and if that still is the case I hope our good political representatives are doing something about it. But that is another matter.

There are many things to be considered, such as output, ventilation, flues, fire risk, risk of leakage of gases that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. etc. It all has to be coordinated as there are many factors. Installers will know some of these and in fact some might know most of these requiremnets, but it seems it is up to the poor old home owner to make sure that ALL factors are complied with.

There are professional advisors such as architects and heating consulting engineers (called M&E engineers) who have experience and the know-how in all these matters. I am neither, I must add. Seems like few home owners are using them, despite many of these firms needing the work at the minute.

zonky

pamperedprincess wrote: »

we have oil heating and an open fire. Fire is not linked to heating system. I would ideally like a wood burner but want it linked to heating system. Couple of questions....

1. How do I know if my chimney needs additional liner (House approx 20 years old)

2. Is it possible to have a wood burner connected to existing heating system and is it a huge job?

3. Could heating system be dual fuel - i.e. linked to wood burner and oil boiler?

Hi There

We just got a stove installed and linked up to our central heating with no real bother - so it can be done. I am not anywhere near an expert but from reading if you have a traditional gravity fed plumbing ie a cold tank in the roof space and a hot water tank then it can be done.

Incidentally ours is fully linked up with the oil central heating as well so i can have either.

Most installers will put an additional liner in - something to do with insulation and draw???

total cost for installation for me was £3k. The plumber cost 500 quid, the hearth/firebreast etc cost 300 quid and the chimney (i needed a factory made one) cost 1500 quid. The stove cost a grand from the Stove yard in Newtownards and they have been very helpful with questions and queries.

Hope this helps
Zonky