ᐅ Lifespan of a Biofire Fireplace?

Unfortunately, sellers only present the positive aspects. When I chose a biofire fireplace, I was told that air from the firebox passes through built-in refractory bricks, which then heat up. The stove is said to provide 12 hours of heat from a single ignition.

However, I have rented out the house where this fireplace is installed and never expected that tenants would think to use this fireplace for heating in winter instead of the underfloor heating. I live in Switzerland, and according to fire safety regulations, both the tenant and the owner are responsible for maintenance and related tasks.

Since the tenants have been lighting the fireplace almost daily during the winter months, I researched the lifespan of refractory bricks and found out that they are wear parts. Refractory bricks in the firebox can be easily replaced, but the built-in refractory bricks would require rebuilding the fireplace, which involves significant costs.

Does anyone know this system and can tell me if the chimney sweep can properly clean the air channels? I am arranging an inspection with a camera; at the moment the chimney sweep is on vacation. I am glad I found someone with a fire safety inspection license who also has a camera.

Do the built-in refractory bricks last longer than the stated lifespan (I have read about 15 years), meaning, do the built-in bricks last longer than those in the firebox? Previous tenants rarely lit the fireplace, only during cold snaps. However, the depreciation value is considered, and tenants do not have to pay compensation for wear since the house is 20 years old. I installed the fireplace for cold snaps during transitional seasons and for special days in winter, not for daily use instead of the underfloor heating. There are more refractory bricks installed than shown in the attached sketch. Because the luxury of 12 hours of heat output is so appealing, the fireplace is being used for unintended purposes.

Tangolady schrieb:

the fireplace is being used for a different purpose.

Different purpose? A fireplace is meant for heating, not just decoration like a plant. So the tenants are doing everything right. It’s your problem if something breaks (although the firebricks in my fireplace have been there since 1980—until I demolished the fireplace three years ago. They were like new).

Thanks to the person who pointed out electric fireplaces. In case the tenants use the fireplace so frequently, even starting it before going to work early in the morning, I hope no one can require me to replace it with a similar unit costing more than 40,000 (currency not specified). An electric fireplace can also serve as a heating source. However, in the event of a power outage, there is simply no heating. I am curious to see the results of the inspection with the camera. At the moment, everyone is on vacation.

A masonry heater is designed to be fired regularly; it just needs to be operated differently than a steel wood stove. If tenants use it incorrectly, they will probably have to pay for it in Switzerland as well. A repair is unlikely to cost 40,000 SFR.
The problem also lies with manufacturers who claim you can keep a home warm for three days with one log of wood. They confuse physical units and principles to sell their cheap products.

Hello Tangolady,
As the company Biofire, we have read your post. I also remember that we had an extensive phone conversation about this. Here is the information again:

• A Biofire stove is designed and built for regular use
• The fact that your tenants use the Biofire stove so actively shows that they are very satisfied
• Rent is a payment for the use of a property. Wear and tear is included in this calculation.
• However, you don’t have to worry because the Biofire storage bricks easily last 40 years and more

If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.

Management

Tangolady schrieb:

Unfortunately, sellers only tell you the positive aspects. When I chose a Biofire fireplace, I was told that the air from the firebox passes through masonry fireclay bricks and heats them. The stove provides 12 hours of heat with just one firing.
However, I have rented out the house where this fireplace is installed and never thought that tenants would decide to heat with this stove in winter instead of the underfloor heating. I live in Switzerland, and according to fire safety regulations, both the tenant and the owner are responsible for maintenance, etc.
Because the tenants fired up the stove almost daily during the winter half-year, I googled the lifespan of fireclay bricks and found out that these are wear parts. In a firebox, fireclay bricks can be replaced easily, but the built-in masonry fireclay bricks would require rebuilding the fireplace, which involves high costs.
Does anyone know this system and can tell me if the air channels can be properly cleaned by the chimney sweep? I have a camera inspection planned, but the chimney sweep is currently on vacation. I am glad to have found someone licensed for fire safety inspections with a camera.
Do the masonry fireclay bricks last longer than the specified lifespan (I read about 15 years), i.e., do the masonry bricks last longer than those in the firebox? Previous tenants rarely used the stove, only in severe cold snaps, but the depreciation value is considered, and tenants do not owe compensation. The house is 20 years old. I installed the fireplace for cold snaps during transitional seasons and for special days in winter, not for daily use instead of underfloor heating. There are more fireclay bricks installed than shown in the sketch attached. Because the luxury of 12 hours of heat output is great, the stove is being used in an unintended way.