How limited am I for a fire because of my chimney?

Lily73

Hi

We have bought a 1930s bungalow which does not have a brick chimney however does have what looks like a metal flue. The inset in for the fireplace looks extremely small.

We initially looked at high efficiency, glass fronted gas fires however they are quite pricey and my hubby isn't that keen on them anyway. So we then looked at the baskets which although we realise are not efficient we love the look of them however someone advised that we won't fit a basket because it sounds as if the chimney is only about 5 inches.

I hate those tiny, fake looking fires. I think we would fit an arch fire in but I had that in my last two houses so really wanted something different this time.

So I guess what I am asking is does anyone have any suggestions for a nice gas fire that will fit into a small fire space but that looks authentic.

I'm doing this on my phone and can't figure out if I can post a pic of the inset 😕

Furts

Hi Lily73

I am sorry but I cannot help but if it helps...

I have had "issues" with my chimney. It had a 7KW living flame gas fire. I had employed a Gas Safe plumber to advise but he had no idea. He knew less than I did! Plus,I do not have a flue liner.

I approached Building Control, who most unusually, were vague. The Building Regulations, the flue manufacturers and the fire manufacturers put the info together that you may require.

I am aware fires are complex. I had to match the width of my opening, with the size of the flue liner together with its shape, plus type of pot on top of the chimney to resolve my question. Then there were workmanship issues. All this and some of the repairs I resolved myself.

Basically,it is a case of chimney specific answers. Also, I remain a little uneasy that flue lining companies may be operating without properly researching all issues.

HTH

rustyboy21

You are not going to be able to have what you want, I am afraid.

You have what is known as a pre fabricated or pre cast flue and a basket style fire will not fit in firstly and secondly in the unlikely chance of it fitting, wouldn't work on the fluing system you have fitted.

Precast/prefab flues range in size from round 3'' depth to about 10'' depth. For a basket fire you will need approx 14'' depth, a chamber made to fit it in and made so the fire draws and also most likely an air vent fitted in the room, if it did work. The fire will also need a flue of min diameter throughout of 9'' or more.

If your hubby is balking at the price of an HE inset fire, he will pass out when he finds out how much it would cost to make the flue suitable for a basket fire. You would be looking at a bespoke built class 1 flue being built, which would be circa £2k-3k just for building and that is a bit conservative with the pricing.

Have another look at some of the slimline HE gas fires again, they will be your best option.

Furts

Hi Lily73
My flue is a nominal 9 inch - actually 185 by 185 square section, and is needed for some class A fires, plus I have an air brick into the room.

So rustyboy21 logic sounds good to me.

Seek expert advice would be my suggestion.
HTH

southcoastrgi

Furts wrote: »

Seek expert advice would be my suggestion.

the OP has just had it from rusty

pinkteapot

See if anyone can recommend a good local fire shop. I was going round in circles trying to research things myself online and work out what fire we could order. We had an unusually sized opening (ooh-err!).

Went to a proper fire shop and they were brilliant and sorted us out. If you happen to be in Essex (long shot), we used Roy Terry Fireplaces in Tiptree. They knew exactly what we could and couldn't do.

If you can't get a recommendation from anyone in your area, google for fire shops then start ringing round or visiting them.

pinkteapot

p.s. Not sure if you will have as much choice as us as we have a chimney, but we looked at the high-efficiency glass-fronted ones. We didn't bother in the end and got an open-front inset gas fire. For exactly the same model, it was something like £100 more for the high-efficiency version. When we talked to the shop about the specs, we found that the HE version didn't put out any more heat (same kW output for both), it just used a bit less gas to produce the same heat.

In other words, it was going to heat the room by exactly the same amount but cost a few pence less per hour to run. On the basis that we'll only be in this house for another 1-2 years, we didn't think it worth paying the extra as we probably wouldn't see the payback.

Lily73

Thanks so much every one for your responses, looks like I might have to accept its the arch fire again or convince hubby the high efficiency glass fronted are the bomb :0) I really like them anyway. I just need to find a pic of one in a nice surround and take it from there.

I will let you know what we eventually decide.

rustyboy21

Lily73 wrote: »

Thanks so much every one for your responses, looks like I might have to accept its the arch fire again or convince hubby the high efficiency glass fronted are the bomb :0) I really like them anyway. I just need to find a pic of one in a nice surround and take it from there.

I will let you know what we eventually decide.

You are not going to be able to fit an arched fire in there either as the flue is made to a certain size and you cannot change it.

You have what is called a class 2 flue and you are so restricted in your choices, especially the age of the property. The property was built in the housing boom and builders went all out to spend as little on the materials as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if the flue box where the fire fits in is around 3'' deep x 11 '' wide and 21'' high. You will find it nigh on impossible to find anything that will fit it and work to regs.

You really need to seek advice from a reputable fireplace shop and let them help you choose what will work.

They are the experts.