Replacing coal fire with multifuel stove

Eliza_2

Morning all. I want to replace my small open fire with a multifuel stove. However the fire has a boiler behind it, with the associated damper etc above the fire opening, This doesn't do much, just heats the water when the fire is on, but mostly I never need to slide the damper across as my need is for more heat in the room, not hot water.

How easy would it be to install a stove - would the boiler and associated stuff have to be taken out or would the pipe be able to be fitted up the chimney without all of that?

Would be grateful for recommendations for a small stove too please, the room isn't particularly large.

Thanks

Liz

Leif

I suggest you get 3 people out to give you a quote. I found that prices for installation of a stove varied massively, by as much as £1,000 for the same stove, and the same work.

Eliza_2

Goodness, that's a huge difference! Will take serious note, thank you.

Has anyone any thoughts on fitting the stove with the boiler still in place (or not)?

Thanks

BlueC

Eliza wrote: »

Goodness, that's a huge difference! Will take serious note, thank you.

Has anyone any thoughts on fitting the stove with the boiler still in place (or not)?

Thanks

Surely the boiler won't work once the fire is gone, so it is better to have it taken out?

As an aside, you can get a multifuel stove with a backboiler if you want to replicate your current setup. Can be expensive though and depends upon your central heating configuration.

Agreed with above, get 3 quotes. We are currently having one installed and our quotes have varied from £3150 to £5366 including stove, liner, scaffolding, inglenook, hearth, fitting, certificate, everything. Our was expensive because it is a 3 story house with a massive chimney stack so a lot of the expense was in the flue and scaffolding. You could do it easily for £2k all-in in an easier property.

Regarding stoves, buy something decent and make sure it has good airflow control. Around £500-£700 will get you a very good 5kw stove.

Eliza_2

Thanks very much. No the boiler won't be needed and I don't want another one - I just thought it would be cheaper if I didn't need to take it all out.

The figures you have both quoted are beginning to make it sound like silly money however, so may have to shelve the idea. It's only to heat one room so wouldn't want to spend those sorts of figures.

Thanks anyway, will order coal in for the open fire and continue to live with that.

Liz

BlueC

Eliza wrote: »

Thanks very much. No the boiler won't be needed and I don't want another one - I just thought it would be cheaper if I didn't need to take it all out.

The figures you have both quoted are beginning to make it sound like silly money however, so may have to shelve the idea. It's only to heat one room so wouldn't want to spend those sorts of figures.

Thanks anyway, will order coal in for the open fire and continue to live with that.

Liz

Depending on the house it may not be that expensive. Some chimneys don't need a complete flue liner which would bring the cost right down. Also, you can buy a stove for £300 easily and I believe some are ok quality even at that price. If you're not replacing the hearth or fire surround this would also bring the cost right down.

The difference in heat that a stove gives off compared to an open fire is incredible. One thing though, if you do decide to get it done then now is the time because decent fitters are already booked up for 3-4 weeks and soon they'll be booked up even longer.

vaio

yep, I read somewhere that with open fire 80-90% goes up the chimney whereas with a stove 80-90% goes into the room

BlueC

vaio wrote: »

yep, I read somewhere that with open fire 80-90% goes up the chimney whereas with a stove 80-90% goes into the room

That is about right. It is even possible in some circumstances for open fires to have negative efficiency - they can draw cold air into the room, heat it, and send all the heat up the chimney, so the room just gets colder!