Query re wood burners.

[maude]

Hi folks has anyone replaced an "insert" woodburner with a free standing stove?We have an older type Godin which is filthy during the season,and gives black " dust" thoughout the house.just wondered if any improvement could be made to the general internal environment.So much for health and ecology.

Maude. And we are very carefull with its use and the wood we use.

[Théière]

After years of service some of the joints leak so a repair maybe required, providing the rusty bolts will come out. Could it also be a flue pipe failure, the tube lasts around 10-12 years on average and twin walled flue should be used for wood burning now, whereas most were only single walled years ago so lasted less time 5-8years. All dependant on hours of usage of course.

[sadie]

We are in the same situation with an elderly Godin. We enquired about replacing it with a free standing poele. The guys who supply the chauffage de bois reckoned it was either not possible or very impractical. The entire fireplace would have to come out,  The rear wall would have to be refurbished, a new hearth put in which would accommodate the poele at the neccessary distance from the wall. The ceiling would have to be repaired etc. We have gone for a replacement foyer ferme. The false chimney brest will have to be broken and replaced, new chimney liner, cap etc. Allowing for a credit d'impot at 40% and a grant for renewable energy the net cost will be €2100 which I think is reasonable. The foyer has a puissance of 15kw.

I have assumed that your situation is similar. If you have an insert (we thought that ours was but it is actually a foyer ferme)and a real fireplace which it fitted into it may be possible. Best thing to do is to have an "etude" done by a supplier.

[woolybanana]

Has the credit impot not now been reduced to 25%?

[sadie]

For a completely new installation it is 25% but for replacement it is 40%. The old foyer must be taken away.