Cost of Installing a Gas Fire
Most people tend to focus on the look of a fireplace when choosing the right fire for their home. Although this is an important aspect, there are many other things to consider before you choose the right fireplace for you. Factors that can make or break a fireplace include labour costs, type of fireplace and supply costs of the fireplace, so it is important to do your research before installing a gas fire in your home.
Gas fires have become popular in recent years as they add a cosy yet stylish addition to any living room and do not require buying logs and cleaning ash from traditional fireplaces.
The goal of our guide is to give you a better understanding of the different types of gas fires available on the market, including what affects the cost of a gas fire installation, supply costs and additional costs associated with installing a gas fire in your home.
How much does it cost to install a gas fire?
Although the average cost of installing a new gas fire ranges between £300 to £700, factors such as the size of the fire, the type of fire and your location can affect the total costs. Plus, if any additional pipework is needed in order to fit the gas fire, then this will add to the total cost. Before installing a new gas fire, a gas safe registered engineer will have to inspect gas lines, flues and wiring to make sure that they are safe and in perfect working order.
Below is a breakdown of the average costs for each of the different types of gas fires available on the market today.
|
TYPE OF GAS FIRE |
AVERAGE COSTS |
|
Open Fire |
£350 to £600 |
|
Outset Living Flame |
£400 to £800 |
|
Flueless |
£650 to £1500 |
|
Balanced Flue |
£1000 to £1600 |
|
Glass-fronted |
£1000 to £1800 |
|
Power Flue |
£1100 to £2000 |
Additional Jobs Cost
Alongside installing a new gas fire, there may be additional jobs such as removing an old fire or a gas fire service that needs to be conducted as well. The costs for these services are:
|
TYPE OF JOB |
AVERAGE COSTS |
|
Gas fire removal + capping off gas pipe |
£60 to £120 |
|
Yearly gas fire service |
£60 to £100 |
|
New gas fire- Installation only |
£150 to £300 |
|
Gas fire removal + New wall hung flueless gas fire installation |
£200 to £400 |
Supply Cost
A large portion of the total cost of a new gas fire installation is the actual fire itself. The cost of a new gas fire alone can cost between £200 to £2000 depending on the type of fire you choose. If you are looking to supply the fire yourself, then these are the average supply costs for each type of gas fire:
|
TYPE OF GAS FIRE
|
SUPPLY COSTS |
|
Open front |
£200-£400 |
|
Outset living flame |
£300-£700 |
|
Flueless |
£500-£1000 |
|
Glass-fronted high-efficiency |
£600-£1200 |
|
Balanced flue |
£800-£1500 |
|
Power flue |
£900-£2000 |
Labour Cost and Timescales
Labour costs can vary due to the type of fire you choose, your location and the difficulty of the job. However, the average labour costs associated with fitting a new gas fire ranges between £80 to £200. Be expected to pay £20 to £60 more if you live in the South of England or in and around London in comparison to those living in the North of England.
If a gas line needs to be installed in your home to accommodate a new gas fire, then this will add and extra £100 to £200 to the overall price. Installing a new gas line generally takes between 1 to 2 days to install so make sure to plan ahead to account for this.
For a straightforward gas fire installation, a heating engineer will take between 2 to 3 hours to fit a fire in your home without any unexpected issues. Gas fire fittings may take longer if any issues occur during installation.
Cost Factors
There are many additional factors that can affect the cost of installing a new gas fire. These can include:
Type of Fire
As previously mentioned, there are many different types of gas fires to choose from and they all come with different price tags. The cost of the gas fire depends on the brand and variety you choose as well as any additional features that comes with the gas fire.
Size of Fire
Although the average time it takes to install a gas fire is between 2 to 3 hours, larger fires will take slightly longer. The longer it takes to install, the higher the labour costs. Engineers will usually charge between £20 to £40 for each extra hour of the gas fire installation.
Additional Costs
When it comes to installing a new fire, there are several additional costs to consider. Here is a list of possible additional costs when installing a new gas fire:
Chimney Liner
It is also important to remember that not all gas fires are suitable for all types of flues and chimneys, so you may have to line or test your chimney before installing a gas fire. It is also recommended that before any additional work is carried out on your chimney, it should be swept and cleaned properly to clear away any hazardous blockages.
A professional chimney sweep will charge around £50 to clean your chimney. If your chimney has not been swept in over two years, then this price will rise to around £100. To get your chimney lined alongside a chimney sweep, this will cost anywhere up to £1000.
Gas Safety Certificate
When installing any product that involves gas, you will need to get it checked by a Gas Safe Engineer. Once the gas safety check has been completed, to ensure that everything has been safely and properly installed, you will be given a Gas Safety Certificate.
A Gas Safety Certificate in the UK costs between £30 to £150 depending on the engineer you hire and your location.
Gas Fire Removal
If you are installing a new gas fire as a replacement, then you will have to safely remove the old one. Most engineers will offer this service and it will add an extra £50 to £500 to the total cost depending on the size of the fire and the difficulty of the job.
Types of Gas Fire
There are many gas fires to choose from, so how do you choose the right one for your home? Below are the different types of gas fires available alongside their cost and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Open Front Gas Fire
Traditional open front gas fires heat the room by confected air from beneath the fire itself. This type of fire is heated using a heat exchanger which is then let out through the upper canopy. Not only is this type of fire aesthetically pleasing, but it also comes with a variety of control options. The main downside to an open front gas fire is that they are less efficient than some of the other types of gas fires. This type of gas fire is one of the cheaper options and on average costs between £200 to £400.
Outset Living Flame Gas Fire
Outset living flame gas fires are a popular choice as they jut out of the wall and sit on the hearth instead. The great thing about this type of fire is that they tend to give off a large amount of heat. They are also highly accessible for people who have mobility issues as they come with a remote control to change the settings of the fire. The main disadvantage to this gas fire is its size as it takes up quite a large amount of space. An outset living flame fire costs between £300 to £700.
Glass-fronted High-efficiency Gas Fire
Designed to be built into your home's wall, glass-fronted high-efficiency gas fires release heat through the glass front. Not only does it come with a modern, sleek design but it also has and efficiency rating of around 80 to 90% which is better than most other gas fires. Although it is a very efficient gas fire, it does not give off as much heat as traditional gas fires. These are slightly higher in price as they cost between £600 to £1200.
Flueless Gas Fire
Flueless are perfect for homes that don’t have a chimney. In flueless gas fires, the combustion products are converted into harmless vapour which can be safely vented into the room using catalytic converters. Flueless gas fires don’t require a chimney and are very efficient however they rely on a catalytic converter to release safe air. Due to their complex build, they are slightly more expensive than open front gas fires as they cost between £500 to £1000.
Balanced Flue Gas Fire
Like a flueless fire, a balanced flue gas fire is designed for homes without a built-in chimney or flue. They include all of the benefits of a gas fire, and it also comes with its own that can be connected through an external wall. These types of gas fires are highly efficient but are quite difficult to install. A balanced flue gas fire costs between £800 to £1500.
Power Flue Gas Fire
Often used when a conventional chimney or flue is too small, power flue gas fires use fans to move combustion gases outdoors. This type of gas fire is very versatile and can be used in a variety of homes, including flats as they don’t require a chimney. However, they are often the most expensive type of gas fire costing between £900 to £2000.
Can I install a gas fire myself?
Although you may be tempted to install a gas fire yourself, it is not a recommended DIY project. This is because it is a complex job which will require the services of a gas safe registered engineer who will be able to install the gas fire safely and a will be able to make sure it complies with the legal requirements. Also, it is both illegal and dangerous to attempt to install a gas fire yourself, so why not save yourself the hassle and find a local heating engineer in your area with our free quote service.
