That’s a question we’re often asked by customers before they buy a stove. As online wood-burning stove sellers, at Gr8Fires we can’t stick our head up your chimney for a quick look before advising you. That’s why we’d always recommend talking to a HETAS-approve wood-burning stove installer to double-check everything.
What we can offer is some basic rules to help point you in the right direction. So, here are a few common scenarios and the probable answers.
Good chimney already in place
If you have a good, working chimney that has no leaks then you’re under no obligation to line it all the way to the top. There is no requirement to install a liner to comply with building regulations.
You might choose to put in a flue liner for performance reasons, though. Your stove is likely get going much faster than it would with a 6/7 inch lining that it would be with a wider chimney.
Here is more information on the benefits of using a flue liner.
Chimney leaking
If your chimney is leaking smoke into your house or your neighbours’ property then you must line the chimney from the stove to the very top of the chimney.
Replacing a gas fire system or oil flue
You almost certainly need a new flue in these circumstances. Gas fire flues and wood-burning stove flues are made from different metals and are totally different beasts.
If you’re replacing a gas fire, the most likely outcome will be ripping out the old chimney lining and fitting a new one that has been specifically manufactured for use with wood-burning stoves. The same applies to oil systems.
No chimney in house
If there’s no existing chimney in your property, you can install one. Alternatively, you can use a twin wall flue.
Find more information on both those options.
