new gas fire - what kw should I be looking for? (small house but complete wuss who loves being hot!)

[DottyDot]

Just that really. We've got a 1970's gas fire which chucks out amazing amounts of heat and I'll be sorry to see it go but I think it's time for something a bit more modern as I can't see it becoming fashionably retro any time soon...

I love being warm but the fire is in a small room - bog standard 1930's semi detached, so it doesn't need to heat a massive space.

Ideally I'd have liked a wood burning stove fire but dp has said no that's been ruled out....

Any idea what kw I should be looking for - would be very sad if we got a new fire and it was crap.

I'm guessing you have gas central heating, is that right?

A gas fire is a lot less efficient so will cost more for the same amount of heat, and is mostly for cosmetic and ornamental purposes. 3kW will be ample for that. It's the same as a fan heater. Imagine sitting in front of that when the room is already warm from the rdaiators.

ooh hello PigletJohn - I have to admit to being a stalker fan of yours and read all your boiler-related type posts so thanks for posting

Yes we've got gas central heating but I need my heat (blame the underactive thyroid gland - comes in handy from time to time) and the room with the fire in is on the chilly side of the house, so the radiator on its own (behind a settee, ahem) doesn't cut the mustard.

But thanks - will go for 3kw as a minimum While you're here - if you still are - how can we tell what kind of flue thingy we've got?! Or would someone need to come and tell us?

If it's a 1930's house you probably have a brick chimney fesigned for a small coal fire.

It is often preferred to fit a stainless-steel chimney liner to take the flue gases from a gas fire, otherwise they may cause condensation in the chimney leading to damp patches, and gas fire gases are slightly acidic so can attack the mortar. A liner will prevent a big draught sucking warm air out of the room and up the chimney.

I am not a gas-fire expert. If you buy from an experienced installer they will advise on the type of chimney your preferred fire requires.

I think I will have to get one of those ticket-issuing machines used on deli counters and get my stalkers to take a ticket and wait their turn [bugrin]

I think that's a very good idea

thanks - yes we do have a brick chimney which is falling down. Will start browsing for at least 3kw fires -thanks again

I thought it was just me who loves pigletjohn. Always amazed at your breadth and depth of knowledge.

Oy - get in line!