Open fire vs multifuel stove

dunstonh

Buying an older stove means you will generally get to see what it will look like after a year or so - pre weathered - they never seem to look how they are when new.

I think they look a little bit better when worn in.  Although I guess that depends on whether you have an old look to your room or a sparkly modern look.

J_B

Energy28 said:

Hello
We are considering having our two coal fires removed and have 2 multifuel stoves put in their place.
Any advice on costs, ease and if it's worth it. Mid terrace property, two chimneys.

Just wondering if you have a lined chimney?

A stove would need one, wouldn't it?

Petriix

Air quality is massively better with a stove. Open fires, especially if burning coal, are incredibly much worse for your health.

A._Badger

Petriix said:

Air quality is massively better with a stove. Open fires, especially if burning coal, are incredibly much worse for your health.

Really? Can you substantiate that claim with evidence? A properly functioning chimney draws air up and out of the room- arguably producing a better environment than the virtually hermetically sealed, damp, mould/allergen-harbouring atmosphere found in 'modern' homes. I fail to see how a stove would be better in that respect.
I'm not anti-stove (I have them and like them) but some of the claims for them can be a bit far fetched.


    

Cardew

It is not in dispute that a stove is more efficient than an open fire.

However the OP asked about costs and it seems most people agree that the installation costs will never be recouped.

As happens so often on these threads, many people do not answer the OP's query but simply justify their decision - including of course myself!

dunstonh

As happens so often on these threads, many people do not answer the OP's query but simply justify their decision - including of course myself!

I agree but In reality, that is the best we can do.  i.e. draw on our own experiences.  We don't know enough about the OP's circumstances.  Are the open fires in large rooms or small rooms (former would benefit from a stove, the latter would barely be noticeable in terms of heat).  Would the OP buy a quality stove or poor quality one?  

Having thought of it more, I can draw more from our own experiences that one of our rooms with a stove that replaced an open fire is massively better with a stove and a lot safer as that room doesn't have anyone in it most of the time.  That room has good airflow and distributes heat around parts of the house.   A stove is much better in that situation.   The other two rooms are more enclosed and the heat from the stove is kept within those rooms.  So, you can't tell the difference between an open fire and stove. 

You could install the same stove in 10 different rooms/houses and get 10 different outcomes on the effectiveness.  You could install 10 different stoves in the same location and get different outcomes on effectiveness.    

Really? Can you substantiate that claim with evidence? A properly functioning chimney draws air up and out of the room- arguably producing a better environment than the virtually hermetically sealed, damp, mould/allergen-harbouring atmosphere found in 'modern' homes. I fail to see how a stove would be better in that respect.

One of our lounges has little brown spots on the ceiling from soot from when it was an open fire.   The cold surface would create slight condensation and when it dried the soot would be left behind.  We have been told by a surveyor that its very common with open fires in old buildings.   No matter how well the chimney works, it is inevitable that there will be some leakage into the room with an open fire.  The scale of the fireplace will also be instrumental on the impact.

A._Badger

dunstonh said:

As happens so often on these threads, many people do not answer the OP's query but simply justify their decision - including of course myself!

I agree but In reality, that is the best we can do.  i.e. draw on our own experiences.  We don't know enough about the OP's circumstances.  Are the open fires in large rooms or small rooms (former would benefit from a stove, the latter would barely be noticeable in terms of heat).  Would the OP buy a quality stove or poor quality one?  

Having thought of it more, I can draw more from our own experiences that one of our rooms with a stove that replaced an open fire is massively better with a stove and a lot safer as that room doesn't have anyone in it most of the time.  That room has good airflow and distributes heat around parts of the house.   A stove is much better in that situation.   The other two rooms are more enclosed and the heat from the stove is kept within those rooms.  So, you can't tell the difference between an open fire and stove. 

You could install the same stove in 10 different rooms/houses and get 10 different outcomes on the effectiveness.  You could install 10 different stoves in the same location and get different outcomes on effectiveness.    

Really? Can you substantiate that claim with evidence? A properly functioning chimney draws air up and out of the room- arguably producing a better environment than the virtually hermetically sealed, damp, mould/allergen-harbouring atmosphere found in 'modern' homes. I fail to see how a stove would be better in that respect.

One of our lounges has little brown spots on the ceiling from soot from when it was an open fire.   The cold surface would create slight condensation and when it dried the soot would be left behind.  We have been told by a surveyor that its very common with open fires in old buildings.   No matter how well the chimney works, it is inevitable that there will be some leakage into the room with an open fire.  The scale of the fireplace will also be instrumental on the impact.

I'm sure that is the case. What I doubt is that it would have any quantifiable effects on health compared with a stove used in the same surroundings which also emit the odd puff of smoke here and there, not to mention dust when being emptied. 

Mickey666

dunstonh said:

As happens so often on these threads, many people do not answer the OP's query but simply justify their decision - including of course myself!

I agree but In reality, that is the best we can do.  i.e. draw on our own experiences.  We don't know enough about the OP's circumstances.  Are the open fires in large rooms or small rooms (former would benefit from a stove, the latter would barely be noticeable in terms of heat).  Would the OP buy a quality stove or poor quality one? 

Quite so.  The value of a forum is that the questioner can draw on the experiences of many people and perhaps learn something new and/or be prompted to look at things from a different persepective. Ultimately, it's still their decision and responsibility.

Energy28

dunstonh said:

As happens so often on these threads, many people do not answer the OP's query but simply justify their decision - including of course myself!

I agree but In reality, that is the best we can do.  i.e. draw on our own experiences.  We don't know enough about the OP's circumstances.  Are the open fires in large rooms or small rooms (former would benefit from a stove, the latter would barely be noticeable in terms of heat).  Would the OP buy a quality stove or poor quality one? 

Hi, I have two chimneys, neither are lined and will need to be. The roof is pretty high and will cost £650 for scaffolding, so it would make sense to have both lined at the same time.
My rooms are 12ft x 12ft and the dining room leads into a large cold kitchen.
I am waiting for a price from a local fitter, so fingers crossed it's not too high. 
I'm grateful for everyone's replies and advice, I find your insight really useful.
Thank you all.

Mickey666

Depending on access, it might be worth considering a cherry picker instead of scaffolding.  it's how I installed my last chimney liner - £180 for half a day with an operator as I recall.