Gas Inset Fire - chimney

bob skunkhouse

Hi,

I've a gas inset glass front fire in one of the rooms. While the convenience of it is very handy, however I do notice that when the fire isn't used, the room is a few degrees colder than the rest of the house. When the wind blows, I can feel the wind coming down the chimney and out via the fire surrounds. While seldom, if the wind is blowing strong enough and from a particular direction, the down draught is sufficient to blow the fire out! We got a gas certified plumber to service that and other appliances last year and he mentioned that we have the wrong cowl on the chimney. I've a few questions now....

- Will changing the cowl lessen the down draught?
- It's a normal class 1 chimney, will reducing the diameter of the flue make any difference to the draughts?
- Is there anything else I can do to reduce the draughts while still maintaining the use of the fire (i.e no chimney balloons)?
-What about replacing the fire with an electric fireand blocking off the chimney altogether?

Cheers,
Bob.

Calahonda52

Just wondering Bob is the fire fitted correctly, as you use the words via fire surround.
I have only come across this where the flue from fire is not sealed into chimney flue.
I would get that checked.

bob skunkhouse

Yep, good point. I see where you're coming from. I can only assume it's fitted correctly. The installer was recommended by the shop where we bought the fire so I assume it was.Originally it was a new build and the builder thought we were putting in a traditonal open fire. When we told him it was a gas fire it was too late and we needed to make adjustments to the fire area such as to raise the 'fire pit' from just off floor level to about 40cm up from floor level and also widen the sides so the fire would fit.

The fire is a Glass fronted Gazco studio and i see that they fit a 'Balanced flue'. Assuming it is fitted correctly, I wonder can I convert a class 1 flue to a balanced flue? c

Calahonda52

That is INDEED a nice rig! 100" curved TV above:)
Any further advice is way past my pay-grade so will leave it at that other than say, as you know, its needs rigorous @sorting@
No reply needed