How to Choose a Gas Fire
When the question how to choose a gas fire crops up, there’s a few things to remember.
Firstly, you can’t really beat a good gas fire. They start straight away, providing instant heat; can be used if the power is off; and, are effective at getting a room warm quickly. And they don’t need cleaning out on a daily basis, nor laying before they can be used, nor do they need a plentiful supply of wood, or coal, to keep them going.
Secondly, some basics. A gas fire is quite simple in principle. It consists usually of a natural gas burner (sometimes a propane burner) and simulated logs (which can withstand the rapid changes in temperature) which are encased in a firebox. And there’s usually a glass pane to keep the flame safe. To top it off there’s a switch to control the flow of gas (and thereby controlling the intensity of heat), which also acts as a gas igniter to start the fire.
Thirdly, it should be remembered that gas fires replaced their coal and wood counterparts for a number of sound reasons:
- gas is very clean compared to wood and coal;
- the heat generated is quickly felt and can be easily regulated;
- gas is a constant and consistent supply, and usually works even when the power is lost;
- it’s instantly on, instantly off;
- a gas fire is clean burning, which means it gives off a limited number of emissions, making them cleaner than traditional fires.
Fourthly, there are a number of types of gas fires available. Factory built gas fires are so-called because they are fitted either during a new-house build, or during a renovation project. The advantage with these is that they should be ideal for the property in which they have been installed.
Next come free-standing gas fires and they are built along the lines of an old-fashioned stove. They tend to be best at radiating maximum heat because all their hot surfaces are exposed away from a wall, or surround.
Last up are inserts. These are designed to fit into the cavity of an existing wood, or coal fireplace. The fitting of the insert is not the big job though, as the fire must have an approved vent and the chimney will have to be relined, as the flow of exhaust fumes has to be extremely efficient when considering a gas fire.
Now, just a quick word on fitting a gas fire. It is a job that has to be completed by a recognised gas engineer. You cannot do it yourself, nor can you get handy andy around to do it for you.
And whereas it used to be that only CORGI gas registered engineers could legally work on a gas appliance, it’s now engineers which are on the Gas Safe Register, run by The Health and Safety Executive. This took over from the CORGI gas registration process on 1 April, 2009, and was brought to improve service levels and benefits. Details can be found at the website www.gassaferegister.co.uk, or by telephoning 0800 408 5500.
Now, the fifth, and final thing to consider is the fireplace. Your first priority is to choose a unit which is not only efficient, but also safe. And to help you make that decision, fireplaces are sold with a Government rating which gives you an idea about its efficiency.
Other things to bear in mind are the match with your house’s décor; a direct-vent unit will give you the best combination of energy efficiency and safety; an automatic starter is better than a pilot light; and, that ceramic glass is better than tempered glass for transmitting the heat out into the room.
Furthermore, you should look for a unit with a circulating fan which force the heat into a room; a secondary heat exchanger to increase its efficiency; variable controls to regulate the heat and consumption; and, can the fire be connected to ductwork, which means that the generated heat can be sent to other parts of the house.
So, when it comes to choosing a good gas fire, bear in mind that there are a few important things to consider.
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