Thinking of exchanging open coal/logs fire for an Inset Stove

davidod1

I have a 20" Grant back boiler open coal and logs fire that I am thinking strongly of pulling out and replacing with an Inset Stove, no boiler. The PM2.5 meter constantly shows seriously high readings.

I can't say that I found the back boiler much of an asset. While it did heat the water, it needed a substantial fire to put any heat in the radiators. We do have an oil fired condenser boiler, and I really don't think it would be worth paying the extra fuel costs that would be required to keep a good fire in it. I was thinking that I would just get the in/out connections from the boiler bridged, and that would leave the oil system still work as it currently does.

There are just two of us in the bungalow and the living room is open plan in to the dining room and kitchen. Heating this area is really all that we need.

Firstly; anyone see anything glaringly wrong in my thinking? and if not any suggestions of brands to consider or more importantly brands to avoid.

Thanks for any help received.

ercork

Open fires with back boilers are very dirty and produce lots of PM2.5, as indicated on your meter. PM2.5 is very bad for the health of the people in the room and also in the wider neighbourhood because of chimney emissions. Stoves are certainly better than open fires but these also produce lots of PM2.5 - basically burning any solid fuel (wood, coal, turf) produces high PM2.5 levels, regardless of the device used. If you can heat the entire house using the oil heating you'd be better off.

We had the same thoughts a few years ago when we were decorating the living room (like you we also have oil), but the cost involved in removing stuff to get at the back boiler (including having to prop up parts of the fireplace / chimney during the work), plus lining the chimney for the stove meant it was costing way in excess of it's worth. We just kept the open fire as a fall-back if the electric ever goes off (yeah unlikely I know but I'm old enough to remember when it was very likely), and instead added a couple of good thermostatically controlled oil-filled electric radiators that run for fairly little cost in the Spring / Autumn.

First step is to get a few quotes, you might not have the problems we did.

davidod1

Sorry about the delay in replying, don't remember seeing a notification about the replies. Thanks for the comments lads.