wood burning fires

[surgeonofsteel]

any advice on buying a new wood burning fire. never bought one before so any tips would be welcome.

[Duckalaronze]

We bought a Godin wood burner from our local Gamme Vert (and got a discount because I asked for a 'poule de bois' - a wooden chicken!).. Gives out 13 kw heat, isn't too hungry - but make sure you have a good supplier of wood nearby, all the same.

Depending upon the area you need to heat, you can probably find lower rated ones - just make sure you get the correct flue for the size of cheminee/stove.

Best of luck

Alan & Gill

[Ernie]

Do all woodburning stoves need a hatch in the flue so that you can sweep it? Mine hasn't. Does this matter? What should I do about it?

[Montcigoux]

Look for one that has something like feu continue in the description this means that it will stay in overnight when closed up and with the right wood burning.

You will need to ensure that you have a supply of the right dry wood.

If you buy from one of the smaller specialist shops they will also deliver and install it for you and seal up the chimney if you have an open inglenook fireplace.

Don't forget that you will need your chimney swept once a year and a certificate as proof for your house insurance.

I have bought two woodburners in France and the Godin stove that I bought last year was by far the best

 

 

 

[Lautrec]

"You need to get your chimney swept once a year and a certificate, as proof for your insurance"

I understand you can buy from the Super Marche, a burnable chemical 'log' which when ignited, cleans your chimney! It comes with an appropriate certificate.

If this true, could anyone who has used this method, please confirm that it is efficient!

[VJ]

I put up in the forum a short time ago that in my opinion there is only one way to put in a wood burner and that is with a double insulated liner made in stainless steel

or certainly the inner part 316 stainless steel with the exterior galvanised if not on show.

If you can gurantee 100% all the wood you burn is held dry for at least 3 years then you may be ok,other wise when you slumber overnight the dew point of the gas drops and puts tar (condenses)inside your chimney, which goes hard and if ignited causes a chimney fire and also seeps through the brickwork discolouring it.

If you DIY it and there is a problem your insurance Company will not pay out.

For at least 5 years now in the UK it comes under building regs to have an insulated chiney in the form of special blocks, liners ect but for a refit the double insulated liner is the best.

I would suggest to find a reputable Company to supply and install

Hope this helps

[John Cox]

[quote]any advice on buying a new wood burning fire. never bought one before so any tips would be welcome.[/quote]

Sitting in a traffic jam in a village near Vire, I saw a hand written notice in the window of an iron mongers that said, I think, that if you installed a wood burning stove  "L'etat" would refund 40% of the cost as an energy conservation measure. As we were on our way to the ferry, I didn't have time to find out any  more. Does anyone know anything about this?

[Lizzie15]

Yes,I've seen this too.You get it back through your tax I think?

 

[Dave&Olive]

hi

       ok  going to fit one myself , found out there are 3 types... a poele, chimmney and inset......spelling might be out but if you have a poele fitted you will get back 40% of the costs ,, if   yes we think fitted buy a pro.......

     dave

[Chocolate]

I think the returned cost info is correct. After advice on this forum in July we decided to buy a Jotel woodburner and to ask the supplier to quote for fitting. When the estimator came, she measured, quoted and also told us that we would get 40% of the cost back, as this was our main house, when we completed and returned the tax form next year. After calculations, the saving allowed us to buy the next one up in the range. We assume she was correct and the payback concerned the stove and not the whole package of stove, pipe and fitting. The professional fitting would also satisfy our insurance company in event of a fire.

[0The Plan ManAll the best,<br><br>StewartddMMyyyy0Falseen-USAll the best,<br><br>StewartTrue]

We put one in - nothing very special although at 14KW relatively large and powerful. We opted for this particular model because it was on promo. It eats wood and leaves lots of ash, and is a pain to clean. We are just about to buy a second for another room, and having down lots of research amongst friends, are going to go for a Jotul. More expensive, but apparently well worth the money - more efficient, less ash, easier to load etc. The choice of wood is also very important - again more expensive but representing better value for money, dried oak wins hands down. One does need to have a supply of dried softwood to get the thing going initially, however.

Happy toe warming!