open fire

cloptrop

i just moved into a house with an open fire and spent 20 euro on a bag of coal
it doesnt seem to really be too much use , even though its the best coal they had
i reckon by the amount of coal i used and the amount of space heated id be just as well using the gas heating
should i be buying briquettes instead or using the gas
any advice by someone who knows their stuff would be great
im not hooked up with a back boiler , its just a fire

racso1975

Not bargain alert and should be moved to another forum

Media999

Get yourself a stove fitted and find yourself a bag of coal for 12 euro. Be happy :pac:

cloptrop

Media999 wrote: »

Get yourself a stove fitted and find yourself a bag of coal for 12 euro. Be happy :pac:

im renting , its not possible

moodrater

20 euro for 40kg of coal is about 6.3c /kwh hour. With an open fire 60% of the heat is going up the chimney so your paying about 15.75c /kwh.

Looking at gas 6.7c/kwh with a boiler efficiency 75% (modulating condensing will be higher) you'd be paying 8.9c/kwh.

In other words the coal is 70% more expensive with an open fire than gas central heating.

For reference:
http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Fuel_Cost_Comparison/Domestic_Fuel_Costs_comparison_October_2011_pdf.pdf

You can get 40kg coal for €14 a bag and with a small stove with efficiency of 60% it works out at 7.4c/kwh peat briquettes at 3.30 a bale would be 8.2c/kwh.

cloptrop

moodrater wrote: »

20 euro for 40kg of coal is about 6.3c /kwh hour. With an open fire 60% of the heat is going up the chimney so your paying about 15.75c /kwh.

Looking at gas 6.7c/kwh with a boiler efficiency 75% (modulating condensing will be higher) you'd be paying 8.9c/kwh.

In other words the coal is 70% more expensive with an open fire than gas central heating.

For reference:
http://www.seai.ie/Publications/Statistics_Publications/Fuel_Cost_Comparison/Domestic_Fuel_Costs_comparison_October_2011_pdf.pdf

You can get 40kg coal for €14 a bag and with a small stove with efficiency of 60% it works out at 7.4c/kwh peat briquettes at 3.30 a bale would be 8.2c/kwh.

yeah thanks man , i wont get coal or briquettes at this price , im in dublin i think ill keep the coal for special occasions ,
cloptrop leaves the room and heads in to reset his heating timer

Media999

cloptrop wrote: »

im renting , its not possible

Why not?

They just sit in front of fire. Flu pipe out the back and up chimney.

anything else is just cosmetic.

Best thing i ever bought to heat the house and would spend my last few cents on getting one fitted if i had to do it again.

Most of the Heat actually goes into the room and not up the chimney. 1 Load of coal burns for about 5 hours on low heat and would be easily twice as hot as the rads. Cant close the sitting room door as it would be like a sauna.

Havent felt cold in bed since i had it installed.

padocon

Would have also suggested a stove. If you decide to heat the room with gas stuff a pillow up the chimney so there is no draft coming down, or heat escaping. Just remember to remove it before you use the fire.

cloptrop

this is just one stand alone unit that doesnt heat rads or water, just emits heat from one unit to whole house?
sounds too good to be true
how much does it cost
is it safe for a 6 year old a 1 year old and a newborn to be in the room?

cloptrop

padocon wrote: »

Would have also suggested a stove. If you decide to heat the room with gas stuff a pillow up the chimney so there is no draft coming down, or heat escaping. Just remember to remove it before you use the fire.

as a plumber i fear for you man,, carbon monoxide being a silent killer and all , how many kw is this stove you have ? it cant possibly be safe to use without ventilation if its heating a whole house it would need crazy amounts of kw

Media999

cloptrop wrote: »

this is just one stand alone unit that doesnt heat rads or water, just emits heat from one unit to whole house?
sounds too good to be true
how much does it cost
is it safe for a 6 year old a 1 year old and a newborn to be in the room?

Stanley oisin is the best budget stove. About 500 fitted. Will pay for itself in a year id say.

Far safer than an open fire for the kids i would have thought. a guard sits nicely around mine

heres a video i found by googling wood stove. Youll see the effect. this stove is turned up really high. usually youd just see red coals or whatever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLyf5vmZmJA

this stove also has flu through celing. thats not the way you would go. youd go straight out the back then bend up the chimney.

moodrater

cloptrop wrote: »

yeah thanks man , i wont get coal or briquettes at this price , im in dublin i think ill keep the coal for special occasions ,
cloptrop leaves the room and heads in to reset his heating timer

some ideas for cheaper coal .. lots in that thread.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=76116156&postcount=137

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=74770576&postcount=114

thesandeman

Thought I had found a Bargain Alert to a beach in Hawaii.
No such luck :-(

rameire

the problem with buying coal in the big smoke is the coal is the useless smokeless coal.
you need to go outside Dublin and buy the proper coal, it gives better heat, last longer and is not as dusty I find.