Looking at buying a house which is about 18 years old and there looks like there is a inset gas fire in the lounge. There is certainly a gas pipe coming out of the wall into the fireplace. THe gas pipe looks a bit of a mess to be honest. There are two airvents also in the lounge and the house also does have a chimney and chinmey pot. It looks as though the fire is old and either broken or needs replacing. Just wondered what the options are and the approx costs? The house is centrally heated whith a large radiator in the lounge so a fire would only be used every so often.

lots of options, some get very expensive This site shows a lot of options. The one on the front of the web site costs about £7k installed, including balanced flue and all the new surround.

New gas inset fire from about £200 up, £150 ish for gas engineer to fit, including hiding the pipe better this time, fire surrounds go in and out of fashion rapidly so can be had in excellent nick from ebay for pennies.

Edit, chimney will likely be in need of a sweep too, gas man can usually do that if they fit fires.

Replacing ours with an electric one imminently. Our plumber agrees and has recommended the same to family members of his. Heats the room better (none wasted up the flue) no ongoing maintenance and safer.

He’s quoted us £15 to cap the old one off, new fire (and surround – we’re pushing the boat out) is about £3-400.

Is your plumber on commission from someone that flogs electric fires? The typical gas fire is about 80% efficient and runs at about 5kW. That’s 4kW of heat going into your room.

An electric fire is, granted, 100% efficient by definition but only throws out about 2kW and has a noisy fan. Also, electricity is 15p/kWh while gas is about 3p/kWh.

If it was on all the time I’d agree with you, but in a modern central heated house it will only be used now and then and for short periods and I’ll save about £40 per year just in servicing that will go towards the extra bit of leccy.

YMMV obviously.