| Bio-Ethanol Fireplaces - Fact Sheet, Advice and FAQ. |
- What is a Bio-Ethanol Fireplace?
- The fire is fuelled by bio-ethanol fuel, this is a sustainable energy created from processing plant extracts.
- This style of fireplace is 100% energy efficient as no chimney is required and there is no loss of heat output.
- Bio-Ethanol (or Gel Fires) are an easy alternative to a conventional fireplace fuelled by gas where the property has no chimney or gas supply.
- Unlike a gas fire there are no safety devices and the fire must be manually filled and lit.
- There are health and safety aspects to consider like filling, lighting and storage of the fuel.
- Unlike some companies we do not mask the pros and cons of this style of fire in flowery text.
- We will tell you exactly what the fire will or will not do.
- Why choose a Bio-Ethanol Fireplace from CVO?
- We provide all of the relevant information to allow you to make a accurate choice for your property or circumstances.
- Our data includes the heat outputs, running times and tray capacities. This is due to the extensive in house testing we do.
- The bio-ethanol fires sold under the CVO brand are handmade in the UK to a high specification.
- Our bespoke design service has provided bio-ethanol fireplaces in homes and commercial premises across Europe.
- What are the Positive aspects of this type of Fire?
- Ease of Installation.
- No Chimney Required.
- 100% Energy Efficiency.
- Provide a Decorative form of heating.
- What are the Negative aspects of this type of Fire?
- Very high running costs - 20x greater than a gas fire for the same heat output.
- Health and Safety Issues regarding, filling, lighting and storage of flammable liquids.
- Room requires some form of natural ventilation.
- If poor quality fuel is used they can cause smoke and smells in the room. [We only sell high quality fuel].
- Do I need a chimney or a flue?
- Gel fireplaces do not require a chimney or a flue.
- Normal ventilation in the room is sufficient to remove any emissions.
- What is the heat Output?
- This depends on the size of the burner. All of the bio-ethanol fires we sell are supplied with quoted heat outputs.
- What are the running costs?
- This varies greatly with the type and brand of fuel used and the size of the burner. A very large burner will have greater heat and cost more per hour to run.
- A bio-ethanol fire is not a cost effective way of heating your home and should be used for decoration only.
- Costs are typically 20x more than a comparable gas fire.
- What fuel do these type of fireplaces use?
- Bio-Ethanol [or Gel] fireplaces use a specially formulated bio-fuel, which produces real flames and real heat!
- It is advised to use good quality bio-fuel. There are many brands on the market and the results achieved from them vary greatly.
- Is there any smoke or smell?
- Under normal usage, with good quality bio-ethanol all the gel fires we sell have been made to a high standard and will not produce any noticeable smoke or smell.
- It cannot be stressed enough about the quality of the fuel. This has a great effect on the flame, smoke and smell.
- It is advised by Easy Fire to purchase good quality bio-ethanol as the fuel is the most critical factor when operating this type of fire. You will find cheaper sold online however - you get what you pay for.
- Easy Fire cannot be held responsible for the type of gel fuel being used and the results that are achieved.
- Are there are any building regulations related to gel fireplaces?
- Contrary to what some sellers of these fires will have you believe, all gel or bio-ethanol fireplaces require some form of ventilation. This can be a window or room vent.
- Gel or Bio-ethanol fireplaces are not affected by any specific building regulations however you must follow standard building regulations guidance for the materials used and ventilation etc for your home.
- Any fireplace opening must be constructed of a suitable non-combustible material.
- If in doubt contact building control at your local council.
- Are gel fireplaces safe?
- Gel fireplaces have been available in the USA for over 20 years and are growing in popularity in the UK and Europe.
- The fireplaces are designed to be as safe as possible, stable and secure.
- Normal Health and Safety is required as normal when dealing with a naked flame and flammable liquids.
- Our fires have been designed to a high standard and have been tested for safety and durability to ensure they last a long time with normal usage.
- It cannot be stressed enough that when buying a gel fire the saying "you get what you pay for" applies.
- Obviously like all open flamed fires, caution has to be exercised especially where young children may be in the vicinity.
- A fire guard should be considered where children or elderly people are present.
- To ensure your safety, you should only use fuel designed for this style of fireplace.
- No other chemical or substance should be placed or used in the fireplace burner.
- Bio-Ethanol gel fires should only be filled with a funnel and to within 15cm of the top of the tray.
- Bio-Ethanol gel fires should never be moved when hot or lit.
- Bio-Ethanol gel fires should never be refilled when lit or hot.
- Special care needs to be taken in handling and storing of the fuel.
- The fire should only be lit in a well ventilated but a draft free environment.
- Will a gel fireplace cause condensation on my windows?
- All naked flames produce some moisture and water vapour when burnt. The quantity produced by bio-fuel is very small however there are many factors in a home which cause condensation and these should be identified. The fire must be used in a room which has adequate ventilation like a window or air vent.
- Factors which cause condensation in rooms are:
- Poor Quality Bio-Fuel.
- Poor Ventilation within the room.
- Low ambient room temperature due to not using a primary heat source.
- Cooking and Bathing without sufficient ventilation.
- Putting Clothes on Radiators to dry.
- How do I install my fireplace?
- Always read the installation instructions before installing and using a bio-fuel fire.
- A builder will be required to construct a non-combustible chamber in which to house the burner or fireplace.
- Installation Instructions are included with the fire.
- Do you make custom or bespoke designs?
- We are renowned for creating stunning, desirable fireplaces. Our clients are based around the World and our fires are specified by top designers and architects.
- Our bespoke gel fires are designed to a high standard and we will not compromise on style or materials just to make a fireplace "cheaper".
- We can design a custom made gel fireplace however this will involve development costs.
- If you have a specific requirement and a budget to match please call our sales advisors who can discuss your project in detail and suggest the best and most cost effective solution.
- View our Gel Fire Range.
- Request Brochure
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