Flue needed for new log burner?

katymayo

I'm thinking of getting a log burner installed in my living room, I currently have an open fire which is in use & no flue lining. I have had quotes from 2 company's, the first wanted £520 for 9m 316 flue lining. The other company I went to said 'why do you want flue lining? you don't need one if your fire is in working order' 

So now I'm confused £520 seems a hell of a lot of money for a liner, so do I bother or not?

Bendy_House

Are they both Hetas registered? Did they carry out any form of smoke/draw test on your chimney?

How old is your house? Are you SURE your flue doesn't have a pottery lining? If your stack really does not have ANY lining, then I think a new flue liner would be a good call. If your flue does have a pottery liner in good condition, then I guess there's no reason why it ain't good to go (as long as a Hetas says so).

So, a bit more info, please, if you have it.

Grenage

You don't need a flu to meet the regs, but it's generally accepted that it's better to do so.

If you don't have a flu then you'll also need to either have a hatch or make the plate removable so that you can clean out all the crud that falls down (and for sweeping).

You also won't need to worry about gappy brickwork letting fumes through the wall at some point.

I'd get a flu.  In fact I did when I was in the same situation with a working open fire.

stuart45

Wood burners are generally more efficient with the correct sized flue. Most flues that aren't lined are about 9x9 inches, and with clay liners about 8x8 inches. S/S liners are smaller than that to suit the burner.
You can have a burner without an S/S liner, but the fitter would have to test the flue and fit a register plate. Most HETAS fitters prefer to fit a liner.

FreeBear

katymayo said: I have had quotes from 2 company's, the first wanted £520 for 9m 316 flue lining.

I'd recommend a 904/904 double skin stainless steel liner of a size recommended by the stove manufacturer. A 904/904 liner will last a lot longer than a 316/316 or even a 904/316 liner. You'll also get a better draw on the fire and you won't have to worry about cracks in your existing flue leaking Carbon Monoxide (that is CO, bot CO2) in to bedrooms.

Oh, and if you ever plan to burn smokeless coal, you will need a 904/904 liner.

One thing to consider before purchasing a stove - Do you have sufficient space to store wood under cover ?

Don't under estimate the amount of fuel you can get through each winter - I have a 10x6 shed crammed full of logs, and it will just about last one winter. There is also a comparable quantity stacked on pallets & under a tarpaulin ready for the following year.