What to replace fireplace with?

worlds goodest teecher

In the process of buying a house with an open fire place in sitting room (area 24sq.m). House is over 20 years old. Oil flued central heating, Two rads (approx sizes 2.00m L x 0.30m H & 0.60m L x 0.60m H) in sitting room. The fire back to the open fire has a badly cracked fire back.

What is our best option to heat this space? Planning on doing an insulation upgrade wall and ceiling installation and replacing the small rad with a tall vertical rad. Have also spoken to specialist about installing a 7 panel solar pv system.

Electric insert fire or multi fuel stove? We would prefer to stay away from burning solid fuel. Can an electric fire provide a decent level of heat? My experience with electric fires is that they dry out the air making opening/closing your eyes uncomfortable.

We were toying with the idea of changing the oil boiler to gas.

Advise greatly appreciate.

Infernal Racket

worlds goodest teecher wrote: »

In the process of buying a house with an open fire place in sitting room (area 24sq.m). House is over 20 years old. Oil flued central heating, Two rads (approx sizes 2.00m L x 0.30m H & 0.60m L x 0.60m H) in sitting room. The fire back to the open fire has a badly cracked fire back.

What is our best option to heat this space? Planning on doing an insulation upgrade wall and ceiling installation and replacing the small rad with a tall vertical rad. Have also spoken to specialist about installing a 7 panel solar pv system.

Electric insert fire or multi fuel stove? We would prefer to stay away from burning solid fuel. Can an electric fire provide a decent level of heat? My experience with electric fires is that they dry out the air making opening/closing your eyes uncomfortable.

We were toying with the idea of changing the oil boiler to gas.

Advise greatly appreciate.

Wood pellet stove. You'll never look back

worlds goodest teecher

Gerry G wrote: »

Wood pellet stove. You'll never look back

I like the idea of a pellet stove but was put off by the look of them. My father has had one for 15 years, great source of single room heat.

There is an open fire there, are there pellet boiler inserts and if so how are the fed and cleaned? The one I have experience with is tall and operated from the side. What kind of money are we talking? Would need a flue liner and cowel as well.

Infernal Racket

worlds goodest teecher wrote: »

I like the idea of a pellet stove but was put off by the look of them. My father has had one for 15 years, great source of single room heat.

There is an open fire there, are there pellet boiler inserts and if so how are the fed and cleaned? The one I have experience with is tall and operated from the side. What kind of money are we talking? Would need a flue liner and cowel as well.

Yep, you would def need the flu liner. The cost would depend on size and space to be heated. I bought a Kalor Redonda 8kw loaded from the top and very easy to clean. All in with flu and outside double wall stainless chimney it cost me €2500. I had a solid fuel stove for 12 years before that. I'd never go back

raxy

If your only in the process of buying I wouldn't plan too much just yet. When we moved into our house we had to change the kitchen & replace the entire heating system.
I'd wait until your in the house to see before deciding on what to get done.
We looked at stoves as Well but don't really need 1. The sitting room heats quickly enough with just the heating. If your going to do the insulation as well you might make the room too warm.

worlds goodest teecher

raxy wrote: »

If your only in the process of buying I wouldn't plan too much just yet. When we moved into our house we had to change the kitchen & replace the entire heating system.
I'd wait until your in the house to see before deciding on what to get done.
We looked at stoves as Well but don't really need 1. The sitting room heats quickly enough with just the heating. If your going to do the insulation as well you might make the room too warm.

The house needs proper levels of heat before we move in. Non of my family tolerate the cold well.

I getting access to the house tomorrow to getting access to the house tomorrow. A plumber is coming to see if an inset wood pellet stove would work. He is a registered gas installer so planning to get him to give me an alternate quote for replacing oil burning stove with gas boiler and putting gas fire in the sitting room. Keeping my options open.

raxy

raxy wrote: »

If your only in the process of buying I wouldn't plan too much just yet. When we moved into our house we had to change the kitchen & replace the entire heating system.
I'd wait until your in the house to see before deciding on what to get done.
We looked at stoves as Well but don't really need 1. The sitting room heats quickly enough with just the heating. If your going to do the insulation as well you might make the room too warm.

^^^^^^

This. Get the feel of the house first.

A wood burning stove. My parents house went from being cold to almost too warm after the 400 quid investment of a wood burning stove (not including the wood obviously).

worlds goodest teecher

[Deleted User] wrote: »

A wood burning stove. My parents house went from being cold to almost too warm after the 400 quid investment of a wood burning stove (not including the wood obviously).

Two young children with no patience so need instantaneous. I know wood pellets aren’t completely instantaneous but they are pretty quick. Want to avoid dust and ash.

worlds goodest teecher

Had a plumber in yesterday. Chimney breast isn’t big enough for an integrated pellet stove. He recommended removing the fireplace but retain marble base and installing Kalor Slimline pellet stove.

listermint

We were going to do the same as you when we moved in. Full renovation. Went through other projects and finally getting around to fire places . We have multiple.

Two years later realised we won't use a stove , they are more hassle than they are worth . Just a pain in the ass. Cleaning filling waiting watching monitoring.

I filled all chimneys to stop the draught as open fireplaces add 30% heat loss to a room. And then we put in an electric fireplace. Modern look wall mounted. We turn on he lights part it's cool. But rarely use the heating part.



Frankly it was the most cost effective and sensible approach. And a complete turn around to what our original nonsense plans had been.

worlds goodest teecher

Anyone used the Kalor Quadra 6kw pellet stove?