Log burner question

[MOSSEP]

Hi,

Its to do with heating so thought I might get an answer here!

I want to fi a log burner in my bungalow, there is an existing fire place and the chimney runs externally - i.e. not through any rooms. I plan to fit it myself if its doable, I plan to get the chimney swept, but am reading conflicting views on needing a liner fitted. Is it a requirement? The chimney has been there for 70 years doing its job so I would assume its fine without one.

Cheers

Martin

 

[hammers4spanner]

Smilar situation to us 1930's bungalow with existing chimney .
We were advised to put a liner in so we did but to be honest i was the same never knew why we bothered .

 

[MOSSEP]

Did you fit the whole thing yourself or get a company in to do it? What was the cost of the liner

 

[joni os]

Any chimney built prior to 1970 is unlikely to have clay liners. A stainless steel flexible flue liner will prevent fumes and tar stains passing through chimney wall and, especially in the case of external chimney, insulation around liner will keep flue gas hot and allow stove to reach design performance. Avoid liners made for gas. Solid fuel liners are more robust and also directional. Fit with arrows pointing up. Closure plate should be steel not plasterboard,A carbon monoxide alarm in any room with solid fuel appliance is mandatory. Data plate also requirement.

 

[Best]

As above ^^^. If you have no clay liners (and a chimney that is 70 years old probably won't ) you must use stainless steel liner suitable for solid fuel. Liners are easier to brush also.
If you do have clay liners, but if they are not in perfect condition, then you still need a s.s. liner.
If you look at old brick chimneys that have been used near constantly over the years as the chimney for a fire that has been the main or sole heating for a home, you will often notice the chimney is damaged by the fumes and tar from the fire.
Remember that a lot of chimneys with clay liners are 8" diameter, which is a massive increase in volume compared to a 6" liner that many fires need and therefore much harder to get to full heat, and will tar easily. Whatever your fire flue is in diameter, that is the minimum you can use for a liner, some are 5", but might be best to use a stainless steel 6" liner with adaptor to 5" at end. Not cheap to buy a quality solid fuel liner, so shop around. Use Perlite insulation to dry fill around the liner, filling from the chimney pot with liner left long to make it easy.
Note that existing clay liners are nearly always 8", but 7" do exist and 6" were used for some chimneys that served little stoves, oil boilers etc

 

[townfanjon]

If you use a hetas installer they will sign it off , however you are allowed to fit your own and apply for a "building notice" and a inspector will sign it off, obviously if its installed correctly .

 

[Simon F]

the manufacturer will likely specify the flue requirements as 150mm -230mm
which would be a 6" liner up to a 9" brick chimney the buiding regs also specify these requirements. A 5" liner can potentially be ok with a defra stove

The chimney also requires a type 1 smoke test any issues need resolving.

the fire will perform better with a liner.
316 liner approx £15-20per m
904 liner £25-30m

 

[MOSSEP]

Cheers for all the info everyone, will give me something to think about!