So I do have heating (thank you Terrywookfit for your concern) but have been trying to reduce how much of it leaves the house.
I have been adding internal wall insulation and generally trying to improve the air tightness. I have blocked up a couple of fireplaces (except for vents to stop all the problems if that isn't done). The one I am asking about is the last remaining one. It is in the living room which is a room that is likely to be mainly used in the evenings and so it would seem like a good option to have a quick heat source for when it is needed and only use the heating to a lower temperature normally.
I am aware in the long term if I continue to improve the insulation and air tightness I may get to the point where a MVHR system may be an option and that is my main concern when it comes to a replacement fire. Ideally for MVHR the building should be very airtight and so normally a completely closed to the room fire would be used but these normally have balanced flues. I believe for safety reasons it is also desirable that the fire doesn't rely on supply air from the room as MVHR systems can create a lower air pressure risking drawing air from the fire.
This is however very long term thinking as the house currently leaks like a sieve but I just don't want to have to replace the fire it if I can make the right choices now.
I have been adding internal wall insulation and generally trying to improve the air tightness. I have blocked up a couple of fireplaces (except for vents to stop all the problems if that isn't done). The one I am asking about is the last remaining one. It is in the living room which is a room that is likely to be mainly used in the evenings and so it would seem like a good option to have a quick heat source for when it is needed and only use the heating to a lower temperature normally.
I am aware in the long term if I continue to improve the insulation and air tightness I may get to the point where a MVHR system may be an option and that is my main concern when it comes to a replacement fire. Ideally for MVHR the building should be very airtight and so normally a completely closed to the room fire would be used but these normally have balanced flues. I believe for safety reasons it is also desirable that the fire doesn't rely on supply air from the room as MVHR systems can create a lower air pressure risking drawing air from the fire.
This is however very long term thinking as the house currently leaks like a sieve but I just don't want to have to replace the fire it if I can make the right choices now.
