Thanks for the advice guys, the next job is to check out the chimey. My
dad will be doing the install as he has installed stoves/open
fireplaces before and is in the building game in general. He is pushing
the open fire as he thinks it is probably most suitable but i have a
slight preference for the stove, although i'm not sure why!

Cheers,
Mick
David WE Roberts wrote:
On Mon, 18 Dec 2006 10:44:26 +0000, Mike the Unimaginative wrote:

writed in news:1166211689.249435.18090@
73g2000cwn.googlegroups.com:

Hi Folks,

We currently have a gas fire in our living room, its an imitation with
life like coals etc. We never really use it and have a great fondness
for our parents open fires at home. They of course live on a farm and
have access to turf and wood and such. We are now thinking about
replacing the gas fire with either a stove or just an open fire grate.
Mick

This is exactly what I am at the early stage of thinking about. My dilema
is the chimney. I live in a 'typical' 1930s semi, whose chimney has been
closed off (but has air brick) for at least 25 years.
What I don't know, and can't seem to find out is what I need to get done
to the chimney, and, perhaps specifically, where I can find someone to
ask locally (Leicester), who is neither as clueless as I am, or thinks I
am of the rural landed gentry class (a common misconception round here if
you are asking for anything out of the ordinary!)
Advice (or even discouragement) welcome!

I guess the first thing to do is open out the fireplace and have a look;
confirm that the chimney still goes all the way up to the pot with no
obstruction.

It is likely that the pot has been covered over at the top (roof ridge
tile or similar) to stop water coming down. This would have to be removed.
If the pot has been removed you would need a new one.

At least one of our unused chimneys has been sealed at loft level with
ventilation there - presumably because of water coming down the chimney.

The chimney will need a smoke test to make sure that it draws properly and
that there are no leaks. My mum-in-law's house (older) leaked smoke like a
sieve all over.

If there are any doubts about the chimney you will probably have to have a
liner installed.

If the chimney seems sound, then consult a qualified solid fuel installer
to find out if your chimney will require a liner anyway.

As far as I know stoves are more likely to require a liner because they
have a lower flue temperature and so are more likely to deposit nasty
stuff around the walls of the chimney; open fires send a lot more heat up
the chimney and so there is less condensation of tars etc.
It depends on the construction of the chimney (how it was lined when
built) but I think '30s houses may require liners. We were told we would
need a liner for our lounge fire chimney, so we put in a firebox instead
of a stove. The liner is likely to cost more than the stove :-(

So a stove is more efficient, putting more heat into the room and less up
the chimney, but this may require extra expense to install.

Ask your (potential) stove supplier for more information.

HTH

Dave R