replace fire with heatpump?

[atlam]

I have just purchased an investment property. It has a inset wood burner which has more than seen its day and needs replacing.
I am thinking about removing it and installing a heatpump as this would be less cost than replacing said fire.
As heatpumps are cost effective I would not think this would be a problem or that it would put off tenants.
Interested to hear thoughts on this.

[Gerrard]

Hi Atlam - bit of a discussion on it here.

I'm considering doing the same at the moment. The fireplace is fairly new and all good, but it is in a stupid place in the room bloking a view and taking up floor space in a relatively small room.

Also a lot of people will prefer the convenience of a heatpup over a fire (unless you live down south and get power cuts every winter!).

Gerrard

[Glen]

What area do you live in?

Some councils provide incentives, i.e. big reductions, interest free payment options etc, to convert to clean air forms of heating.

Maybe contact your local council to see what they have on offer?

[xris]

It depends on the property which you choose but heatpumps are generally preferable for the landlord. One reason not mentioned is that log burners create internal dirt and will therefore create more work for you the landlord.

But, log burners can add considerably to the 'charm' and atrractiveness of a property so they should not be totally dismissed. They also throw out a lot more heat so in a large house they may be beytter than a heat pump that will not do the job (you'll need two or three).

Again, it depends on the property.

xris

ps/ Beware of city councils promises.

[Glen]

ps/ Beware of city councils promises.

....any council inparticular xris?......what council area are you in?

[atlam]

house is in taranaki, doesnt get too cold here so heat pump would be sufficient in that respect. I think I will go that way, will contact ciuncil to enquire about any incentives and post back here cheers

[xris]

Hello glen,

There are a number of schemes available. This one was on my mind.

http://www.nelsoncitycouncil.co.nz/environment/air_quality/aq-clean-heat-news.htm

There are also national subsidies not linked to any particular city.

xris

[pgflt]

Go for it

We have installed heat pumps in all our properties (Nelson). Tenants love them. Got council subsidy for one of them. 100% reliable so far.

[SuperDad]

Definitely replace the fireplace with a heatpump.

We put a heatpump in our rental property last year, and the tenants are very happy with it.

We installed logburners in the last two houses we lived in. The were not inbuilt models, but rather had an exposed flue. As a result, they provided far more heat than an inbuilt model. Nevertheless, they were very messy (as xris points out). In our current house I have removed the inbuilt fireplace and, as I type, the heatpump installer is outside my house bolting down the outdoors units for the heatpumps we are having installed.

Paul.

[Monid]

They seek him here they seek him there but Xris isn't there

[leapy]

Heat pumps usually more practical, though this is dependent on the size of the space. I would recommend getting a heatpump specialist to look at the space and make recommendations on siting and size of unit needed. I'm down to one last property with a remaining woodburner, but this one I'll probably eventually replace with a gas fire, because of the lifestyley nature of the property and the focal point position of the old woodburner.

[Jumpin]

Just be aware that lifetime for a good heatpump is around 10 yrs. Not necessarily an issue but needs to be put in the equation.

[xris]

A good point. Also when it breaks down who pays?

xris

[Glen]

They seek him here they seek him there but Xris isn't there

It was worth a try!

[Glen]

A good point. Also when it breaks down who pays?

xris

Landlords responsibility.
Just as you would pay if the stove needed fixing, or the nightstore heater.
Part of the chattels.