Pre-fabricated Flues ok for wood burners?

Brooker · 8 Dec 2012

I have an old boiler that we no longer use, it has a Pre-fabricated Flue which is 15cm diameter:

Is it possible to remove this boiler and install a wood burner? This is a basement room so it is concrete underneath the carpet - wall directly ahead is an outside wall.

If so would it be a relatively inexpensive fit? Any idea on costs?

I guess an open grate - a fire basket, is totally out of the question?

There is a lot of woodland around here so a fire would be quite nice - especially with rising fuel costs. Any thoughts or advice appreciated. And if any of you can install one in South Wales please let me know.

swbjackson · 8 Dec 2012

It depends on the type of prefab flue. Your best bet is to get a HETAS registered engineer in to advise you.

Corgigrouch · 8 Dec 2012

These days open fires need MASSIVE vents in the wall so not really worth while... Usually the prefab flues will be something like Selkirk IL and that would be a definate no for solid fuel.... Yor HETAS installer is the man to ask.

Brooker · 8 Dec 2012

Thanks for the replies.

Swbjackson - does this photo help regarding the flue?

Corgigrouch - there is already quite a big vent behind the boiler, though I did spray some foam filler in it when we installed a new boiler as it was too drafty! lol

I'm interested in the cheapest option tbh - this is a basement room so it doesn't have to be anything special, just something to help heat this floor - we get loads of wood here anyway and have several bonfires a year, so it just makes sense to use that wood.

tamz · 8 Dec 2012

Your existing flue is NOT suitable for solid fuel.

Fitting a stove is not a cheap option. You should speak to a suitably qualified Hetas Engineer.

FiremanT · 8 Dec 2012

Tamz is correct. Think thousands rather than hundreds. Gas is probaby the best option. Have you got the time and space to prepare, store and dry "free" wood?

petertheplumber12 · 8 Dec 2012

And storing wood has the additional problem of introducing wood worm into the premises.

Brooker · 8 Dec 2012

Thanks for the replies everyone.

We have a lot of laylandii and end up having a couple of bonfires a year, and also have an unused concrete workshop that would be great for storage. If that wasn't enough... one of our neighbours actually sells wood for home fires (he gets lorry loads delivered) so things were just screaming out for one

However if it's going to be a costly job then I think the money would be better spent on other things.

Thank you all for you help.

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Pre-fabricated Flues ok for wood burners?

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