Gas heater service in Battery Point.

Original chimneys + retrofit liners = annual flue inspection.

The Hampden Road, Kelly Street, Mona Street and Colville Street cottages were built with open coal-and-wood fireplaces and the original masonry chimneys still serve as the flue path for the current gas heaters — usually with a stainless steel flue liner dropped down the chimney when the gas appliance was first installed. Those liners corrode, sag, partially block with soot or bird debris, and pull away from the appliance collar. AS/NZS 5601 flue clearances and condition checks are not optional on these chimneys — we run a camera down the flue on every annual service in the heritage precinct.

Single-skin walls + modern insulation = condensation.

Many Battery Point cottages have single-skin sandstone or brick walls with internal lath-and-plaster. Recent insulation and double-glazing upgrades have dramatically reduced air change. Result: condensation forms inside the flue cavity during the shoulder-season when gas heaters are running short cycles. The condensate is mildly acidic and accelerates flue liner corrosion. We see liners that should have lasted twenty years failing in eight. Worth budgeting for a flue replacement every decade in these properties.

Heritage-listed = Council approval on every visible change.

Battery Point is on the Tasmanian Heritage Register and inside the City of Hobart heritage precinct. Any flue terminal, cowl or external gas-line bracket visible from a public street needs Council heritage approval. We hold the precinct contacts and have done dozens of approval submissions — usually a discreet stainless terminal tucked behind the chimney pot or against a rear roof plane satisfies the heritage advisor. Adds a few weeks to the install timeline but avoids any compliance issue later.

Tight cellars and steep stairs = booking logistics.

The cellar-style sub-floors under Battery Point cottages are often 900mm or less in headroom and accessed by narrow internal stairs. Where the gas meter, isolation valves or service line run through these spaces we book the inspection at the start of the day and allow extra time. Worth mentioning at booking so we can send the right kit (low-clearance manometer, head-torch, knee pads — this is the gear we keep for Battery Point and the older end of South Hobart).

Typical Battery Point jobs.

• AS 4575 annual service on an open-flued radiant heater in a 1860s cottage ($260–$340)
• Flue camera inspection of original masonry chimney + stainless liner ($220–$320)
• CO spillage test after kitchen-and-bathroom retrofit reduced air change ($180–$280)
• Stainless flue liner replacement with heritage-approved discreet terminal ($900–$1,800)
• Like-for-like Rinnai or Real Flame replacement keeping original fire-surround intact ($2,800–$4,200)

Related services

Flue and chimney inspection is the most-booked service in this precinct. For a full annual service see annual gas heater service. Wider area coverage on the Greater Hobart page.