Does the install quote include scaffolding? If so then that will be why it is expensive. Thank the safety rules for that.
If you have access to mains Natural gas consider a 6 star efficient ducted gas heater. As for gas fires check the efficiency. As there are no rules for min efficiency for gas fires. That is why you often hear people complaining about gas fires being expensive to run. They will be trying to use a decorative use only gas fire for heating.
And if you go with the wood fire - Pay the extra for the eco flue. So you don't get the problem that Timmmay had. Also check how long it will burn for. Supposedly the emissions compliant fires won't burn for a whole night.
Aredwood: Does the install quote include scaffolding? If so then that will be why it is expensive. Thank the safety rules for that.
If you have access to mains Natural gas consider a 6 star efficient ducted gas heater. As for gas fires check the efficiency. As there are no rules for min efficiency for gas fires. That is why you often hear people complaining about gas fires being expensive to run. They will be trying to use a decorative use only gas fire for heating.
And if you go with the wood fire - Pay the extra for the eco flue. So you don't get the problem that Timmmay had. Also check how long it will burn for. Supposedly the emissions compliant fires won't burn for a whole night.
Some will burn over night depending on fuel load but only generally the larger fires...
tchart: To clarify I am talking about a free standing wood burner.
The build spec includes two heat pumps. We are looking at swapping one out for the wood burner.
Yes, that's the kind of fireplace I got rid of. Dirty, messy thing that cooled the house down hugely when it wasn't lit. Given how much hassle it was to keep it lit it was off most of the time and hence the house was cold.
freitasm: Come on, OP. Please create in proper sub-forum!
Sorry Mauricio didn't realise it was the wrong sub-forum :(
Thanks for all the opinions, just FYI, the house is new build single level home with good access to the roof where the chimney would be. We don't have mains gas as an option so that rules that out.
The quote is from the building company so I expect there is a premium on top of the actual figure but I don't see how an pretty straight forward install would be $1800 (assuming $1600 fireplace + ~$600 flue + ~$600 hearth).
General consensus seems to be to stick with the heat pumps so I think we will do that.
A heat pump has many advantages over a fireplace like how it cleans the air, can cool in summer and can be activated remotely via wifi. Natural gas as a fuel source is a similar price to running a heat pump while bottled LPG costs nearly the same for heating as direct mains electricity. There is rarely a reason to use gas for anything other than cooking if you don't have mains gas.
Most heat pumps on the NZ market are relatively inefficient models so choose carefully. Some, but not all, of Daikin's split systems are highly efficient. Ducted systems are more expensive to run and install.
If you chose aluminium joinery make sure it's thermally broken and the double glazing is argon filled and don't let them get carried away on price premium. It won't be much better than single glazing if you have NZ standard joinery. This is relevant to how much heating you need in the first place as standard joinery could lose up to 20kW of heat from a medium sized lounge and dining area over a Wellington winter's day.
If you're a belts & braces person remember that with heat pumps you're completely dead in the water in a prolonged power outage.
Also for a wood burner you will have to lodge either an amendment to your current building consent, or apply for a separate consent if your house is finished already. Adds a few more $100's.
Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly
to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.
Trusted
ID Verified
