Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?
13 Answers
Answered by Alf's Gas Ltd
10th August 2019
Alf's Gas Ltd answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
Some gas fires are made that do not require a chimney, such as balanced flue, power flue and flueless. These all offer different options in terms of siting, heat output, ventilation requirements, room size etc. If you have a property without a chimney there is sure to be an option that will suit your requirements. Get advice from a gas safe registered engineer on which would be the best option for you.
Answered by AJC Gas & Plumbing
9th July 2019
AJC Gas & Plumbing answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
Some gas fires do not require a chimney, balanced flue fires have a twin walled flue that draws air in from outside and expells the products of combustion to the outside air in a similar way to a combi boiler. Flueless gas fires use a different method involving a catalytic converter and will require a permant non closable vent to outside. As always, consult a Registered Gas Installer first. We always advise the fitting of Carbon Monoxide alarms when fitting gas appliances.
Answered by Cranbrook Heating Limited
4th June 2019
Cranbrook Heating Limited answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
There are different types of gas fire, some of which do not require a chimney. Manufacturers instructions should be referred to. A gas fire usually takes it's air for combustion from the room and the products of combustion are discharged to outside through the chimney. If you do not have a chimney a balanced flue gas fire can often be installed on an outside wall. These gas fires take the air required for combustion from outside and also discharge products of combustion to outside. Another option is a flueless gas fire which doesn't need to be installed in a chimney or outside wall.
Answered by Clearwater Plumbing & Heating
27th May 2019
Clearwater Plumbing & Heating answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
You do not need to have a chimney in all instances for a gas fire installation. Some Fire manufacturers make gas fires that are also available in a Balanced Flue variety which means that it will have a twin walled flue which exits horizontally via an external wall or alternatively vertically through your roof. Balanced flue fires require no additional ventilation as they get air from the outside via the flue. Another alternative is a flueless gas fire which requires no flue instead it uses a catalytic convertor, Flueless gas fires may require additional ventilation to the outside in order to provide correct combustion.
Answered by Gas On Sea
24th May 2019
Gas On Sea answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
Not all gas fires require a chimney, other options available are flueless gas fires which vent via a catalytic converter into the room, alternatively a balanced flue gas fire, which is a room sealed gas appliance, it can flue through a suitable exterior wall, ventilation is pulled in via the flue so there is no need to have extract vents into the room. Here at BoilerOne we recommend any gas fire installed have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted.
Answered by C & G Gas Services
22nd May 2019
C & G Gas Services answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
Ideally you need a chimney, but you have many options. Most properties now have a precast chimney, which is a shallow chimney breast which them terminates onto the roof using a ridge tile vent. But you have many options, you can have a balanced flue gas appliance which uses its own “flue” system creating its own chimney, or using an existing chimney using a flue liner conversion kit (product dependant) Also you can have flue-less gas appliances but you will also need additional ventilation in the room to help the appliance burn correctly.
Answered by Richard Berriman Heating & Plumbing
3rd May 2019
Richard Berriman Heating & Plumbing answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
This depends upon the type of gas fire you chose. Most gas fires are installed on a hearth or fireplace opening in a living room which usually has a chimney or flue connected to it. However, for many years now gas fires have been available with a 'blanced flue' or 'power flue' where a tube from the gas fire takes the flue gases to the outside of the property and also takes air for correct combustion back to the fire. There are now many 'flueless' gas fires available. Special consideration has to be given to correct ventilation when installing these fires.
Answered by Brompton Plumbing & Heating
26th April 2019
Brompton Plumbing & Heating answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
You normally need a Flue; which is a 'chimney' that was designed/used previously for a coal fire, a lined chimney, a flue designed just for gas fires or a hole through an external wall to a low level termination. YOu can, however, get a gas fir/stove with catalysts fitted that don't have a flue (Flueless). Check the manufactureres instructions though as these often have a requirement for a large hole in your wall for ventialtion and can cuase a draught if poorly positioned.
Answered by BPH - Blakemore Plumbing And Heating
29th March 2019
BPH - Blakemore Plumbing And Heating answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
Your property could have a flue box and a liner, a brick chimney and inglenook or maybe just a flat wall and no chimney at all. With all of these instances there are various options to install a gas fire. The main consideration when choosing a heating solution for your home is to decide if you will use an existing chimney or install a flue system. Using the existing chimney will give you the cheapest installation costs overall and will mean you spend most of your budget on the actual gas fire or fireplace. For each type of chimney or flue system there is a specific type of gas fire which can be installed. Balanced Flue (No chimney required) Balanced flues work in conjunction with Gazco's Glass Fronted gas stoves or fires. The appliance is completely sealed from the room into which it is installed (so there are no draughts and heating efficiency is increased) and a twin-wall pipe vents directly to an outside wall. The only reliable way of establishing what chimney or flue type you have is to ask a gas safe engineer to visit and perform a survey. This should be done in all cases to check the compatibility of your chimney or flue with the type of gas fire you intend to purchase.
Answered by S3 Heating and Plumbing
28th February 2019
S3 Heating and Plumbing answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
This depends on the fire that you want to purchase. There's several types including vertical flue, horizontal flue and flueless. The vertical flue version can be fitted into an existing chimney as long as it has been tested for any possible leaks via cracks and also as long as it has the correct chimney terminal. Precast flues can be used if an existing chimney is not available. As always a qualified gas engineer can help to see if your existing chimney is suitable or if you need a horizontal flue. Remeber a gas safe engineer is required to be able to fit it for you.
Answered by younique Plumbing Ltd T/A as Tim Reynolds Plumbing, Heating & Gas
22nd February 2019
younique Plumbing Ltd T/A as Tim Reynolds Plumbing, Heating & Gas answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
Most commonly, gas fires don’t require a chimney, however it really is an open book as it would really depend on the gas fire in question as well as the location it is to be installed. If you’ve a room that doesn’t have a chimney, then you’re certainly not hugely restricted when it comes to choice as there are lots to choose from that don’t need a chimney. Just make sure you select one when purchasing or planning the room that works with the space available and the volume of the room. This might involve a dedicated duct to outside to provide enough air for combustion safely.
Answered by Ambient design and heating
10th February 2019
Ambient design and heating answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
Theirs a wide range of fires to choose from. Fires needing a flue up a chimney but also ones with none at all and others that have a rear flue that runs horizontally through the wall behind the unit. Each fire will come with manufacturers instructions for your gas engineer. Sales representative at the showroom can help with choosing the right fire for where it’s going to be installed
Answered by SJL Plumbing and Heating
10th February 2019
SJL Plumbing and Heating answered the question "Do I need a chimney for a gas fire?"
As a general rule no is the answer. Gas is a relatively clean burning fuel and doesn’t soot up the chimney like the old coal fires. However you should always have a carbon monoxide alarm in the room with your gas fire and if it goes off there is a high chance the chimney is blocked. Stop using the appliance and call a local engineer.