Any gas engineers about? Gas fire question.

[PersephoneParlormaid]

I’ve had a coal effect gas fire for 30+ years. In the first few years we used it a couple of times, but nothing since. Can i get it cleaned and checked, then start using it, or would I be better getting a new one fitted as it’s so old?

You could get it cleaned and checked but there’s a good chance it will fail a safety test if it’s that old. I’d probably just get a new one that will be far more efficient. If the flue is going up a chimney you might need that to be lined too.
Please get a carbon monoxide alarm!

Definitely a question for an engineer, they would obviously need to pass it, but just wanted to add that my Mum’s fire and back boiler must be at least 40 years old. I’m there when it’s serviced and the engineer always comments on it’s good condition and says how they go on for years.
(Although when we had an engineer from a fire shop, they kept ummmming and arrrring about how old it was and they weren’t sure if they could find parts if they were needed. Obviously pushing for Mum to upgrade)

My plumber/gas fitter always said don't get a new one as they just aren't as good and often have onerous ventilation requirements (plumber has to drill a big hole in the wall: ours said one of his customers rang him and said they had snow coming in!)

Your gas registered plumber should service the fire, check the flue with a smoke bomb and make sure the panel at the back of the fire that closes most of the flue opening is properly in place.

Not all gas fitters/plumbers deal with fires these days.

It will be cheaper to get it safety checked first. However when I moved house last year and got mine checked it was condemned because I didn't have the manufacturers leaflet stating how the individual coals are lined up. Do you still have that?

I’ll have a look, I did have a booklet at one time.

Get it serviced and the chimney swept. I’m getting mine down next week - I use it daily in the winter but at the end of last wringer it worked one day and not the next! I’m hoping they can fix it as I’m selling next year and don’t want to spend £1500 getting a new one. Shop around - one guy said he’d do a ‘deal’ for £499! The guy that’s coming it’s £200.