VERYSTORMY Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 Well, we are busy with the design for the house build and what we want (hard choices against what we can afford) but my wife's main thing is she wants a gas fire - even though we are having ducted RC. But, we have just gone round all the companies and we are looking at a min of $5k. Not good. So, it got me thinking. Could i buy one on line from the uk as just pay to get it fitted? The gas systems are effectively the same, so can't see why not. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GilraenH Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 We have a gas heater and it's nothing like any I have seen in the UK, particularly the connection. What would you do for warranty etc if it broke? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted November 19, 2013 Author Share Posted November 19, 2013 We have a gas heater and it's nothing like any I have seen in the UK, particularly the connection. What would you do for warranty etc if it broke? For the price difference I can live with the warranty. Though a number are the exact same model between here and uk. This is one of the models we are looking at http://www.fires2u.com/product/591/verine-atina-slimline-hole-in-the-wall-gas-fire.html# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted November 19, 2013 Share Posted November 19, 2013 We are also building and I too want a gas fire - in the living room and the family room - even though we are having ducted RC. We have got the builders to put in a capped gas point and will put the gas fires in as and when we get round to/can afford it. I'm no sure about bringing in a fire from the UK though. It may be that the fires are made differently for different countries and the same model isn't actually the same at all. I'd be tempted to have a chat with some of the places that sell gas fires if no one on here knows. Some will give you rubbish sales talk but there will probably be someone around who is helpful and may even be able to source the fire you want as well. Although if it is possible to bring one over I wouldn't be surprised if the shipping and duty eat up a fair bit of the savings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GilraenH Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 For the price difference I can live with the warranty. Though a number are the exact same model between here and uk. This is one of the models we are looking at http://www.fires2u.com/product/591/verine-atina-slimline-hole-in-the-wall-gas-fire.html# If you are confident the gas connections and electrics are the same go ahead. I would not be. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flybyknight Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 gas smells. if it leaks you'll know. the fun police will be up in arms at this comment. but if you have a modicum of intellect you'll be fine. your ancestors were fine, we all know you'll be too. i await the backlash all the same! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowPerth Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 It may well be that any gas fire has to meet certain Australian standards for it to be installed. If you bring one over it may conform to British Standard but wont have been tested to meet Australian standards (ie it wont have the right standards sticker), so you may find it difficult to get someone to install it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 Thanks for the replies. We are still investigating. We know about the possible differences and the approvals. We have found the approval costs $250. So now it is just a matter of researching how much it will cost to alter the regulator prior to inspection and import costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 VS: There is a very occasional contributor on the Tasmania PIO forum who runs his own heating company and has been a gas heater installer both here and the UK. He may be able to give informed advice. His is the last post on this thread: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/tasmania/149570-positives-negatives-living-hobart-tasmania-6.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 Thanks Skani, I have sent him a pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Well, we are busy with the design for the house build and what we want (hard choices against what we can afford) but my wife's main thing is she wants a gas fire - even though we are having ducted RC. But, we have just gone round all the companies and we are looking at a min of $5k. Not good. So, it got me thinking. Could i buy one on line from the uk as just pay to get it fitted? The gas systems are effectively the same, so can't see why not. Any ideas? That sounds like such a lot of money. Based on what I paid around 10 years ago, I would have expected your price to be no more than around $3000. As yours is a new build, I'm wondering whether it includes one-off things like the piping, vents etc, which you would still have to pay for anyway, irrespective of where you get the heater from. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hi Bill. No, that is just the cost of the fire - about $5k. The builders are putting the chimney in, gas pipes to the point and electrics. The companies we have spoken to - all of the ones in Perth are quoting about $1k for fitting it and running the flue up through the roof. The builders are charging about $1k for the chimney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cki2011 Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Well, we are busy with the design for the house build and what we want (hard choices against what we can afford) but my wife's main thing is she wants a gas fire - even though we are having ducted RC. But, we have just gone round all the companies and we are looking at a min of $5k. Not good. So, it got me thinking. Could i buy one on line from the uk as just pay to get it fitted? The gas systems are effectively the same, so can't see why not. Any ideas? Never fitted a gas fire in OZ but I would check the specification of the fire ie flue needed, flue run,and also compare the pressure of gas in OZ to UK (don't know if it's the same) as it could be the difference to it working and working safely.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Thanks for the replies. We are still investigating. We know about the possible differences and the approvals. We have found the approval costs $250. So now it is just a matter of researching how much it will cost to alter the regulator prior to inspection and import costs. VS - some gas fires are better than others. If you want one that generates heat and doesn't just look pretty - you will have to spend a little more - but you should be able to work it out from the efficiency and heat output. I personally would prefer to go into the shop and see it, as the pictures can be misleading. Is the price that much cheaper? I think our UK one cost about £1200 (+£300 instillation)including everything (mantle etc) but it was on sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted November 22, 2013 Author Share Posted November 22, 2013 VS - some gas fires are better than others. If you want one that generates heat and doesn't just look pretty - you will have to spend a little more - but you should be able to work it out from the efficiency and heat output. I personally would prefer to go into the shop and see it, as the pictures can be misleading. Is the price that much cheaper? I think our UK one cost about £1200 (+£300 instillation)including everything (mantle etc) but it was on sale. The one we are looking at on line is the same model as the one we have seen in the showrooms in Oz. The price difference is over $4k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 The one we are looking at on line is the same model as the one we have seen in the showrooms in Oz. The price difference is over $4k. Wow - must be economies of scale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpo1971 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 We had one of those fires in the UK. We used to watch that more than the telly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 The one we are looking at on line is the same model as the one we have seen in the showrooms in Oz. The price difference is over $4k. Hmm, that's amazing. It might be worth looking at what you are getting for your money. When I bought (admittedly 10 years ago), a major difference between competing heaters was whether they were convecting or conducting (I think!). One of these determines whether you need the heater to heat just the surrounding area, or the whole house. I seem to recall that you said your heater is not your major source of heating, so maybe you don't need to buy one that will heat the whole house, and maybe that can save you money. I remember heading into the Gas Showroom in the city and discussing this with an expert. They weren't retailers, so the advice was impartial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted November 24, 2013 Author Share Posted November 24, 2013 Hi bill. The one we want is capable of heating the main living area - 60sq m. The ones that don't really add heat are not much cheaper unless I go for a ethanol. Which are a lot cheaper as they don't give off any heat and don't need a flu or anything. But, we would like the heat as although we could heat with aircon, we prefer to have a fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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