Can I install a wood burner where back burner used to live?

JMC39

Hi,

I am buying an old ex-council flat (top floor in three storey) where there is currently a back burning boiler in the fireplace. I have going to have the old boiler removed and would love to have a wood burner installed.

Does anybody know if this is possible? My thoughts are that there are probably clauses in the lease which may disallow this, and numerous safety reasons.

Has anybody done this or can advise what work would be required?

Thanks

muckybutt

Could be do-able

What used to fuel the back boiler ?
Are you in a smoke control area ?
Is there a chimney breast ?

Lots of variables but without more info can't go much further.

JMC39

Hi,

It is a gas boiler. There is a chimney breast. No idea about the smoke control bit.

Thanks for getting back though, at least it sounds like it's not a definite no.

poppellerant

http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/locations.php

muckybutt

Possibly not suitable for an open fire.

Gas fire will more than likely just have a gas liner in it rather than it just being an open chimney, the liner being unsuitable for solid fuel applications.

If the chimney is large enough to get a 6 inch liner down then you could well do it providing you are not in a smoke control area, however that being said you could install a DEFRA approved stove for use in a smoke control area but you will be looking at ££££'s

BuildingFife

It is doable, and we have done various installations in flats in the past, they often requiring re-lining though, but a smoke test will clear this up for you.

Gloomendoom

How about a gas fired "woodburner"?

My sister has a Morso stove that has the looks and heat output of a solid fuel stove without the mess.

muckybutt

BuildingFife wrote: »

It is doable, and we have done various installations in flats in the past, they often requiring re-lining though, but a smoke test will clear this up for you.

A smoke test won't prove anything other than a draw !

Some flues / chimneys are not suitable for solid fuel full stop.

Having had a gas stove myself I can say they are ok, the one we had was a catalytic one so required no external flue, worked great never had any probs with it.

JMC39

Looks like I am in a smoke control zone (London), however I appreciate the feedback from everyone.

Looks like a defra approved gas burner might be an option though.

BuildingFife

muckybutt wrote: »

A smoke test won't prove anything other than a draw !

Some flues / chimneys are not suitable for solid fuel full stop.

Having had a gas stove myself I can say they are ok, the one we had was a catalytic one so required no external flue, worked great never had any probs with it.

if it comes out 2 chimney pots you know theirs a breach FACT, so yes it will prove more than draw.