STOVES questions and answers here(see mod note in post 1)

Hello,

New to Boards, so hopefully I do this right!

We're having a gas fire decommisioned and removed and a wood burning stove installed. I had my heart set on having the fireplace dug out and a chamber created for a freestanding stove, so that part of the flue is visible at the top. I've had two quotes so far (both came and visited the house).

One (very long established company) said that the chimney breast (47 inches) was too narrow to excavate and create a chamber wide enough. That there needed to be 8" on each side of the breast remaining plus 6" on each side of the stove, leaving only 19" for the stove, and since we need at least an 8KW for the room, that we don't have enough room for it. So we'd need to get an insert or cassette stove instead.

The second (established for a shorter period of time but well known) company said they could do the chamber and freestanding no problem.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas why we would get such differing opinions from two well known installers?

Thanks!

rpmcs wrote: »

Why you come on to a forum looking for more opinions is questionable?
You have got two already.

So the only way to actually get an answer is ask why one won't do as you hoped?

Fist one is correct and to prove have a look at building regs.

It states you need 200mm each side as pillars minimum and of course you need the 150mm each side of stove.
So it not hard worked out .
Second company just want the work or have not done any training or even read the building regulations.

They came on here looking for help clarifying which is correct. To which you answered....thanks.
No need for the attitude and accusations towards them, especially to new members.

No need to be sorry. Maybe I should be apologising.
It's just if you get info from two companys and they conflict well then you should do research to verify if this is just sales crap or if it is good workman's ship or proper advice to stand over home insurance.


Yes as I said it is in building regulations...

But it's again second/third hand info...

If you believe every thing that is said without doing some research yourself,
well I'd be afraid you will be leaving yourself open to fraud or some poor works and possibly, if you had an issue down the road that you find your home insurance is invalid.

Some things are regarded as good practice.
But others are in black and white on regulations.
So what annoyed me in first post was....

As first company advised you that they would not leave less than 8 inches on either side.
Ok so you thought why is this?

And if you asked and they told you building regs are clear on this, would your next option not be to ask them to send you link or point you to where this is stated.

Then you would not be relying on "rpmcs from boards.ie told me"

And then for you it would be an easy decision.

I could be some idiot that told you "nah it fine, sure all I have is 4 inches on mine for the last twenty years and not a bother"


But in any case if I came across as I was having a go at you it's not what I was doing. But apologies if I offended.

Hi I have a heat design insert stove so not exactly what you are looking for. I did have some problems getting decent heat from it in the beginning but I have to say Heat Designs customer service was excellent. The guy rang everyday going through different fuel mixes and settings until I got it working efficiently and was on the verge of coming out to inspect it free of charge. So from a service side I would recommend and they seem to stand over their products once you have used an installer from their list.

I am building a single story extension to the back of my 2 story terrace house. I am thinking of putting in a stove and connecting to my central heating system.
My question is: does the chimney flue have to be higher then the two story part of the house or only a meter heighter then the highest part of the single story extension.
The stove chinmey flue will be approximately 2.8 meters away from the neighbours boundary. Thanks

Hi, does anyone have any reviews of the boru 4kw dry stove? I got a quote ranging from 1.7k to 2k to have this installed in an old house. Chimney lined included etc. Is this a good price? The open fire last winter didn't give off too much heat and I'm looking for a stove for a small fireplace in a 2 bed terrace that would hopefully heat downstairs. Thanks

jaffa20 wrote: »

Hi, does anyone have any reviews of the boru 4kw dry stove? I got a quote ranging from 1.7k to 2k to have this installed in an old house. Chimney lined included etc. Is this a good price? The open fire last winter didn't give off too much heat and I'm looking for a stove for a small fireplace in a 2 bed terrace that would hopefully heat downstairs. Thanks

I live in an old uninsulated stone wall house and have fitted a 7 kw dry stove which works well. I would be a little worried that the 4kw stove would not be big enough, especially in winter. It takes a nice bit of heat to get the stone walls warmed up.

I'm hoping this is the right place to post this question. Only noticed the gap about two nights ago in the join of the stove pipes attached. Moved into the house 2 years ago and it would be in regular use. Can't stink of anything that would have caused that join to suddenly weaken, last fire was about 3 weeks ago.

There's a carbon monoxide detector in the sitting room but it has never gone off but is working. Should I get the pipe join fixed asap before lighting another fire or is it enough to have a working detector. Stove is where there used to be an open fire so pipe goes up to the chimney, think it's pretty well sealed.

Yeah there's a Chinese hat on the flue coming out of the chimney, I'll take a few more pictures and post them when I have a chance.

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Thanks, what do you burn normally in it?

Smokeless coal ovoids, polish coal, briquettes and hard wood.

funnyname wrote: »

Smokeless coal ovoids, polish coal, briquettes and hard wood.

Thanks, judging by the size of that monster, all together!!

I am no expert but that needs a serious look as what seems to have happened/is happening is that the metal flue is slipping down the chimney and putting, as we say where I come from, fierce pressure, on the T piece coming out of the stove.

My advice is not to use stove till you get it fixed because if you are in full flight with stove and it falls off............

In addition what looks like the pressure relief valve looks pretty dangerous as if it blows steam and scalding water may kill someone nearby

Also 'soapstone stoves' are available.

We're putting a boiler stove into our new build and hope to heat the room and 9 rads with it. We're thinking of the Stratford EB20 or the Blacksmith Farrier and are open to any other suggestions. The plumber said we need 20kw. Has anyone an opinion on either stove? I read good and bad reviews of both which makes it hard to decide.

Also, I was reading about having an external source of air for the stove - what does this mean and is it something we should be planning?

Thanks Barry. We won't have a heat recovery system so it may not be suitable then? The builder put two vents in the room, I was hoping to close one and have an external air supply in the hope of increased efficiency and a warmer house.