When you’re looking for a new fire you must first identify the type of chimney or flue system you have, if you have one at all. This will dictate the type of fire available to you. In this blog, we provide information to help you identify your properties chimney or flue so you can understand which gas stoves or fires are suitable for your home.
We hope you find this guide helpful, but please come and see us at The Fireplace Studio showroom, Brighouse to discuss your personal needs fully with our trained professionals before you choose.
Gas Appliances
Modern gas fires or stoves do not need to be installed into a traditional chimney setting with a conventional flue. Many gas-fired appliances offer you the option of a balanced flue system which will exit discreetly from your property via a twin-wall pipe.
Conventional Flue
Conventional flue systems are easily recognisable as either a conventional brick or stone chimney, pre-fabricated or pre-cast chimney system. Should your home have none of these at present, it is usually possible to have a pre-fabricated system installed in your home if.
The chimney stack rises well above the roofline and is topped by a traditional chimney pot or gas terminal. This type of chimney relies on the natural circulation of heating air to expel the products of combustion up your chimney.
Pre-fabricated Flues (class 1 & 2)
You will see a metal flue cowl on your roof. Some are all metal whilst others may terminate through a short rectangular pot (but without a chimney stack). These flues create the same circulation of heated air as a brick or stone chimney.
Many modern homes have been built with such flues. You can readily identify them by either a metal flue cowl or a raised ridge terminal on your roof. The natural circulation of heated air expels the products of combustion.
These flues tend to be very shallow in depth so a slimmer fire is often required. Deep appliances, however, may be installed with the use of either a spacer kit or deeper rebate into the fireplace.
Balanced Flue (no chimney required)
Balanced flues work in conjunction with some 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.
Air for combustion is drawn in through the outer pipe whilst the inner pipe removes the combustion gases to the exterior of the property.
Depending on the stove or fire selected, the twin-walled pipe may exit horizontally through an external wall or vertically through the roof.
Powered Flue (no chimney required)
A powered flue uses an extractor unit mounted to vent the combustion gases directly outside. This means that your gas stove or fire does not have to be installed against an external wall, so it can be located in more rooms around your home. A mains electricity supply is needed to operate this system.
Electric Stoves & Fires (no chimney required)
Many manufacturers have created a beautiful range of electric stoves and electric fires that provide a versatile and stunning focal point for any home-all without the need for a chimney!
All electric stoves and fires run on a standard 13amp plug.
All in all, there are many options when it comes to choosing a fire to suit the type of chimney or flue you have, or don’t have. For more information, call into The Fireplace Studio Showroom on Huddersfield Road, Brighouse.