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Original poster

Multi fuel stove

21 replies

supergel · 14/12/2022 12:24

Hi just wanted some opinions please.
If you had the opportunity to have a multi fuel stove given, free. Would you take it and have it fitted?

The cost of heating is really impacting me. A family member has removed their multi fuel stove due to health issues impacting them. They've offered it to me but I don't currently have a fire, just a small opening in the wall where a fire should be. It's going to need widening and possibly a new lintel to fit the stove in.

This stove is solid steel and would cost over £2000 new.

Would you do it?

OP posts:
rumred · 14/12/2022 12:27

Hell yes

Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead · 14/12/2022 12:28

You are going to need the building work to pay for widening the opening
The costs of lining the chimney (also do you need scaffolding for your roof, in which case this is an additional cost)

You could be looking at 1000-2000 pounds to have it fitted. If you divide that up over the next few months that's an awful lot of time you could have the heating on extra for

I mean I would probably take it and have it fitted, because gas prices may also be high next year. But I would be more inclined to do the work in the summer, ready for next winter

Original poster
supergel · 14/12/2022 12:34

Yes @Heavyraindropsarefallingonmyhead it's the cost of the fitting that's put me off previously but with the cost of gas at present I don't think I can afford to refuse it now. Thanks for your suggestion about the summer months

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 14/12/2022 12:40

See if you can get quotes from a fitter? But we are using ours all the time. It’s a lifesaver. I don’t know how people that just have heating are managing.

Original poster
supergel · 14/12/2022 12:56

Thanks @Honeyroar I think an actual fitter may be the right route to go down.

OP posts:
JaninaDuszejko · 14/12/2022 12:59

In theory yes I'd take it. But how old is it? Does it meet current legislation for stoves? How much will it cost to fit?

Yarrawonga · 14/12/2022 13:04

Disregarding the the fitting costs, have you considered how much it is going to cost to run? Solid fuel isn’t cheap.

Original poster
supergel · 14/12/2022 13:06

JaninaDuszejko · 14/12/2022 12:59

In theory yes I'd take it. But how old is it? Does it meet current legislation for stoves? How much will it cost to fit?

It's about 16 years old and yes I've factored in running costs. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than gas!!

OP posts:
Original poster
supergel · 14/12/2022 13:07

Sorry last post in answer to @Yarrawonga and @JaninaDuszejko

OP posts:
Bestcatmum · 14/12/2022 13:08

I'm buying one and having it installed through the middle of my house as there are no suitable outside walls.
I really miss the multi fuelled stove in my last home it was brilliant and I'd cook on it too.

CoffeeBoy · 14/12/2022 13:08

Yes. I love mine. Ok wood, etc isn’t free (though I normally get some free wood every year) but I love the fact I can use it and not worry about a future bill. I can see how much I’m using

Yarrawonga · 14/12/2022 13:17

It's about 16 years old and yes I've factored in running costs. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than gas!!

Really? Are you comparing like with like? i.e. Heating one room compared to heating the whole house.

MothBat · 14/12/2022 13:19

You need building regulations approval to install a stove either with your local building control or a registered fitter. Check whether the stove would comply with regs first.

CombatBarbie · 14/12/2022 13:22

Yarrawonga · 14/12/2022 13:17

It's about 16 years old and yes I've factored in running costs. It's a hell of a lot cheaper than gas!!

Really? Are you comparing like with like? i.e. Heating one room compared to heating the whole house.

Our stove heats 2 rooms downstairs and all of upstairs if doors are left open due to an open staircase. You'd be surprised how much heat they kick out.

I'd def do it OP, we managed to get to start of Dec without putting heating on and just using the fire.

Yarrawonga · 14/12/2022 13:25

You'd be surprised how much heat they kick out.

I doubt it. I’m sat it front of mine now.

I’m also under no illusion as to how much fuel they get through.

Original poster
supergel · 14/12/2022 13:37

Yarrawanga I only have central heating at the moment and no open/electric/ gas fire so surely it will be cheaper to heat downstairs at the very least.

And I've experienced the lovely warmth of this particular stove in my family members house. It kicks some heat out and used to heat 2 rooms downstairs and with doors open upstairs too.
I'm quite sure, it will be cheaper than my current set up.

OP posts:
CombatBarbie · 14/12/2022 13:40

Yarrawonga · 14/12/2022 13:25

You'd be surprised how much heat they kick out.

I doubt it. I’m sat it front of mine now.

I’m also under no illusion as to how much fuel they get through.

Then you must have a shit one.....

We got a new one when we moved in as the chimney sweep told us it was crap. The new one is great and gets our large 200yr old house warm.

Yarrawonga · 14/12/2022 14:10

We got a new one when we moved in as the chimney sweep told us it was crap. The new one is great and gets our large 200yr old house warm.

You can keep every room in your large 200 year old house warm with a single solid fuel stove? Is it connected to your central heating system?

Based in my experience, the room with the stove in has to be so hot to do this, it is unpleasant to be in.

McCoolio · 14/12/2022 17:29

We just got one in November, installation alone was about £1,500, but well worth it I would say. I wouldn’t say it heats the whole house, but it does mean you can have one room at 18-20 degrees without using any gas or electric, and you don’t have the stress of watching the smart meter tick up and up without even getting warm. It does travel upstairs but only a bit, currently our living room is 18 and our bedrooms are 13, walking out of the room is like walking into a cold shower.

I would guess it saves us about £150 on our heating bill each winter month by not needing the central heating on apart from a short blast in the mornings, probably more if we actually wanted to heat the house to 19/20 with just the boiler, but on the flip side we are easily burning around £100 of wood a month, so it will save very little in the short term. Also that’s with us bulk buying firewood in autumn, I would assume it’s more expensive now. A lot depends on your house as well, ours is a reasonably small semi, it wouldn’t be anything like as effective in a large open plan home.

In the long term if you have the time and inclination to collect and dry free or cheap wood in the summer for burning in the winter it obviously becomes much more cost effective, that’s our plan for next year. If you’re getting the stove for free though I would definitely go for it, if nothing else it looks nice and is a useful backup in case of power cuts.

CombatBarbie · 14/12/2022 17:40

Yarrawonga · 14/12/2022 14:10

We got a new one when we moved in as the chimney sweep told us it was crap. The new one is great and gets our large 200yr old house warm.

You can keep every room in your large 200 year old house warm with a single solid fuel stove? Is it connected to your central heating system?

Based in my experience, the room with the stove in has to be so hot to do this, it is unpleasant to be in.

Nope we are on oil for heat and water. the living room sits at about 22/23 the rest of the rooms between 18-20 provided the kids leave the doors open. Ours is a 6kw one I think....

Original poster
supergel · 14/12/2022 19:39

I've decided to have it fitted sometime in the new year depending on fitting costs.

I think I'd be stupid to refuse it with current energy costs.

OP posts:
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