Anyone Else Considering Installing A Gas Fireplace Or Electric Fireplace Would Be Better As Gas Would Be Banned Like Gas Boilers?

[OldChestNuts]

A friend's bought a property and the fireplace is blanked/boarded up.
The friend would lie to re-instate the fireplace. But is it a bad idea to install gas other than electric? Considering that this maybe banned in the near future like the gas boilers?

Any thought on this is appreciated.

[gingejbee]

...but you're not being "banned" from using an already-installed unit. So, if they would prefer gas - go ahead.
This opinion doesn't include fitting/running costs.

[douglas9401]

One day, in the not too distant future when things get really tight for folk, people will do what they have to to heat their homes and if they have a working fireplace that'll allow the burning of wood or coal then that'll be fine.

It may even be seen as a patriotic or civic duty to care for oneself while ignoring hysterical drivel from pressure groups and others.

I'd go wood burner.

[OldChestNuts]

The installation will be more for gas. The running cost is uncertain for gas just like diesel/petrol as the gov doesn't really care about the price of fuel if they don't want you to use.

[gingejbee]

^the running cost for electricity is also uncertain...gas and electricity costs are inextricably linked.

[DTCwordfan]

so would I...a lot of hot air here as folk are not considering full life-cycle analysis on fuels - for example wood pellets from Canada or how our electricity is currently - no pun meant - generated, the answer being 65 percent oil and gas.

However, I must add the Oxfordshire news today on fusion nuclear is very encouraging....maybe, just maybe.

[Buenchico]

You've told us that the fireplace isn't in use but you've not told us what type of heating the previous owners of the house were using. If it was gas central heating, there's no reason why your friend can't continue to use it if they want to. If the boiler packs up in future, they'll still be able to replace it, just as they can now. It's only the installation of gas boilers in new build properties that's to be banned from 2025. All other properties are unaffected.

Likewise, if your friend installs a gas fire now, they'll still be able to use it (and, if necessary, replace it) in the future.

[OldChestNuts]

Thanks for all the replies. The house is currently heated with central heating. For the short term the friend can continue to use the central heating. But it probably makes sense to install a gas fireplace before 2025. Just in case there is an electric outage. At least a gas fire could be used as a backup.

[Atheist]

But what if there's a gas outage?