Installing a log burner

[Aurelio]

I’m seeking advice on how to install a log burner. We have a Victorian semi-detached property and currently have a gas fire that is not working. The chimney does not have a chimney pot.

I would like to install a log burner in our living room and wondered how best to do this, what are the steps I need to take? I’m looking for something appropriate for the age of the property. Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks

 

[stuart45]

Are you going to get a HETAS fitter to do the job, or DIY?

 

[Cubist]

Check with your local authority - regulations concerning emissions standards have been introduced in recent years governing the design performance of woodburners and the fuel that must be used with them in many areas. You will not be allowed to use an antique/old stove unless you can provide a certificate verifying its compliance. Also, there are stiff on the spot penalties for using the wrong fuels.

Other considerations include: -

• Assuming the burner is for 'Go' rather than 'Show' how often would you use it and for how long?
  • A small woodburner can consume up to 0.5 cubic metres in an evenings use and up to 1.5 cubic metres for a day.
  • Where would you store this fuel?
  • How would you transport it to the woodburner and how would you store the ashes before disposal?
• How much space are you prepared to lose from that room?
  • There are regulations governing the proximity of flammable materials to woodburners.
  • Your current hearth may not be large enough to accommodate the appliance and there may not be sufficient room within the chimney breast to allow it to be inset.
• A stainless steel flue and register plate would have to be installed in the chimney to safely carry emissions away from the appliance.
  • Structural alterations to the chimney breast may be needed to provide a route of the flue from the appliance.
  • Other modifications to the chimney structure may be needed to prevent escape of dangerous gases into other rooms in the house.
• Decoration
  • Kiss goodbye to that carpet - it would be black within a few weeks after starting to use the burner..
  • Firewood is always dirty and often brings pests with it - this last includes bees, wasps, flies, woodworm larva and other creepy-crawlies.

And the list goes on.

 

[Aurelio]

Thanks for getting back to me. I realise there are plenty of considerations. I have a place allocated for the logs. We would only use it occasionally but the current set up is not suitable for us as the gas fire does not work and I would prefer a log burner. We would get a HETAS fitter to do the job.

 

[Tom B]

Can’t help with the log burner advice. But have you considered a gas stove? This is ours.

 

[Stevers]

But have you considered a gas stove?

We have a big Hunter Select 6, and a little Gazco. The only grubbiness is when the plumber blows the soot inside into the fireplace opening when he services it.

We never run the Hunter flat out and the lowest setting is 3kWh.. As it doesn't need an electricity supply we were able to use it on a higher setting to warm the whole house during a recent 24 hour power cut. The small Gazco is a recent purchase for a hobby room due to it having a lower 1.7kWh minimum setting.

They are reasonably efficient, and only need a single skin stainless liner that lasts well.

 

[Lacan07]

If your using a HETAS engineer then there's no point asking us really as they'll do all the work for you. It can be quite a complicated job if you want to take it on yourself with the help of your local building control as there's lots of rules within the J regs. Quotes tend to vary depending on where you are in the country, I was quoted about 3.5K excluding the stove. If its only for occasional use then use the thinner (cheaper) grade chimney liner.

 

[Glenn586]

It will vastly reduce the cost if you are able to install the liner yourself, very doable if you can work safely and are comfortable with heights. Working at 6m feels like working at 10m when you look down!

Don't be put off by @Cubist estimation of consumption. We have a large living room (5m x 5m) and when it's freezing like now we get through a basket an evening in a 8.5kw purevision so more like 10 days to get through 0.5 cubic meter. We have a 4kw Burley fireball in a smaller room that halves consumption once more.

Do be put off by @Cubist comments on your carpet though!

 

[CliffordPope]

Do be put off by @Cubist comments on your carpet though!

You have a sacrificial semicircular bit of old rug. When you see or hear a spark jump out you quickly stamp on. But well dried logs don't as a rule crackle very much. Crackle comes from exploding pockets of wetness inside logs that haven't been left to dry out long enough.

 

[Cubist]

You have a sacrificial semicircular bit of old rug. When you see or hear a spark jump out you quickly stamp on. But well dried logs don't as a rule crackle very much. Crackle comes from exploding pockets of wetness inside logs that haven't been left to dry out long enough.

I entirely agree Clifford and would point out that most wood-burners are designed to operate with the doors firmly closed unless one is loading additional fuel. However, there are moments when the heat in the firebox can in effect 'blow' small embers out through the doors when these are opened to add fuel.

 

[Glenn586]

You have a sacrificial semicircular bit of old rug. When you see or hear a spark jump out you quickly stamp on. But well dried logs don't as a rule crackle very much. Crackle comes from exploding pockets of wetness inside logs that haven't been left to dry out long enough.

It's not the crackle I suffer form, more like the fallout @Cubist eludes to when throwing another few chocks on. I don't think i've ever done an evening without a hand full of glowing embers spilling on the floor to such an extent that the dogs back off as soon as they see me approaching the fire! Luckily for me Yorkstone is non combustible.

 

[Cubist]

It's not the crackle I suffer form, more like the fallout @Cubist eludes to when throwing another few chocks on. I don't think i've ever done an evening without a hand full of glowing embers spilling on the floor to such an extent that the dogs back off as soon as they see me approaching the fire! Luckily for me Yorkstone is non combustible.

That's an unusual training technique,,, presumably you're trying to dissuade these Hot Dogs from lying around?

 

[Janela]

It doesn't work on our Jack Russell, I have to literally lift him off the 'skirt' of the stove to put logs on!