Chimney liner ????

[Estrella]

Hi Folks,
I live in a 140 yr old house which has had an open fire in the same position since it was built and is lit as we speak.

I want to put a wood/coal burner in its place. What I need to know is why would I need a liner for a solid fuel burner if I dont for an open fire ? I only ask as some websites i have visited insist in most cases a liner is absolutely required. Does a woodburner have different requirements to an open fire ?

 

[muggles]

It depends on your individual situation, the question can only be answered after a site visit from a HETAS registered engineer, however in general it is necessary to line the flue.

 

[Estrella]

Thanks Muggles.

Take your point re HETAS engineer visit, but what I was interested in knowing is why is an open fire is perfectly OK without a liner but a multi fuel fire needs one ?

Thanks

 

[Estrella]

Are there any HETAS engineers who can answer this please ?

why is an open fire is perfectly OK without a liner but a multi fuel fire needs one ?

Many thanks

 

[admanski]

I'm not an HETAS eng but from information I've gleaned from a few people, wood burning in an open fire is fine without a liner (people have been doing it for hundreds of years without lining the chimney..... Do you think Hampton Court Palace had it's chimneys lined?...

Coal and other more oily fuels tend to produce a whole lot of tar and can eat away at the morter faster than standard wood-residue. Personally, I think it's just a whole load of old tosh because if your house was designed and built with the chimney as a WORKING chimney, not just for deco, it would have been lined with the correct brick/slate/mortar etc. to withstand heat and soot build-up.

IMHO I'd not bother.