Unlike gas or wood burning stoves ethanol fireplaces utilize bioethanol fuel to generate flames and heat. Ethanol is a renewable energy source derived from grains rich in sugar or starch such as wheat, corn and sugar cane. Thus, making ethanol one of the most eco-friendly heating systems available in today’s market. Ethanol fireplaces do not produce smoke or carbon dioxide while burning. As a result no chimney or venting system is required when using a bio fireplace. In any case, view our pros and cons of bio ethanol fires for more practicacl advice on ethanol fireplaces.
Bio Ethanol Fires produce a real flame and are perfectly safe to use if treated like any other natural flame source. All our bio fires come with safety markings displaying best practices when operating them. Most notably, bioethanol fuel should never be poured into a lit fire, as the fire can only be refueled when it is turned off and cooled down. In like manner, when adding fuel to the burner any potential spills should be cleaned up before lighting the fire.
Yes, it is safe to burn ethanol indoors but just like any other type of fire it should be treated with caution. Since ethanol fireplaces are ventless, they will use your room as a flue. Therefore, your bio ethanol fire will operate more efficiently when placed in a large room with good air ventilation. As a precaution, if you require a bioethanol fire for a small enclosed space we recommend placing a carbon monoxide detector nearby the fireplace. In this situation it is also advisable to keep the room well ventilated.
Yes, bio ethanol fires produce do produce heat. While this may be true, it’s important to remember that an ethanol fire flame only produces a limited amount of heat. In general, between 2 to 3KW of heat is produced from a 1.5 litre ethanol burner while operating. By comparison, this is equivalent to the heat produced by a standard radiator. In truth, bioethanol fireplaces are intended to be used as supplemental heating systems. With this in mind, bio ethanol fireplaces are better suited as a main feature, rather than the main heat source of your home.
In general gas fires are not expensive to run. Typically, a gas fire costs around 10c per KW to run. In effect, the KW (kilowatts) indicate the amount of heat given out by the fire. For example, a gas fire with a 2KW heat output will cost about 20c per hour to run. However, this price will vary depending on the fuel input of your gas burner, its efficiency level and how the gas fire is flued. In general, a balanced flue which runs directly to an outside wall is more efficient than a conventional chimney flue which can lose more heat. Ultimately, the higher your gas fire rating is, the higher your efficiency level will be. Thus, resulting in greater savings in your home heating bills. Alternatively, check out our Pros and Cons of Gas Fires to help you make a more informed decision.
Presently, new and modern gas room heaters now offer fuel efficiency levels of up to 80% when compared to a mere 20% efficiency in some older models. Additionally, the flame and heat output of a gas fire can now be controlled externally allowing you to adjust the level of gas needed to heat your preferred living space. Unlike traditional solid fuel fires gas fireplaces offer a consistent radiant heat which can be spread evenly throughout your home. In general, a domestic gas fire heat output will range between 2 and 5KW depending on which model you choose. However the strength of the heat output needed to heat your space will ultimately depend on the size of your room and how well your home is insulated.
Ultimately gas fireplaces are reliable, safe, easy to use and will produce heat for your home in an instant. Presently, all modern gas burners now come with an automatic shut-off valve which halts the flow of gas should the flame be extinguished for any reason. Most importantly, all our fires are installed by registered gas installers throughout Ireland. While on completion of installation a conformance certificate is provided giving you peace of mind that your installation is safe and completed to the highest of standards. In addition we recommend your fire is inspected on an annual basis to avoid any potential issues. Also, for each customer a free onsite inspection is carried out prior to purchase and installation to ensure your new gas fire meets all your requirements.
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