Frequently Asked Questions

The thought of having a new Fire or Fireplace is very exciting, but there are so many things to think about and every fire solution that we do is tailor made to your individual needs.

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Gas Fires
How much will my gas fire cost to run?

This depends on the gas tariff price per kw you pay, to calculate simply multiply your current cost per kw by the gas input of the appliance. This will give you the cost per kw hour.
(Remember if you lower the setting on the fire you use less gas reducing the running costs)

Most popular 4kw convector plus inset fires cost around 45p per hour on high.

How do I work out the efficiency of a gas fire?

A general rule of thumb is to simply divide the maximum heat output by the maximum gas input and x by 100 to give you the % efficiency.

Its worth noting that glass fronted fires can show a much higher figure this is due to less gas being used as the heat radiates through the glass and the glass stops less warm air in the room being drawn back up the chimney or flue.

What’s the difference between a convector or radiant gas fire?

All gas fires give off radiant heat, the heat moves outwards from the appliance and the closer to the appliance you are the warmer it feels. Convector gas fires have a heat exchanger type box and work by drawing cooler air from the room at the bottom of the appliance and it is then warmed as it passes through the convector box and is then pushed back into the room via a canopy convection slot.

Does the glass get dirty on glass fronted fires?

Yes, the build up of soot, dust and small burn particles and with the formation of condensation on the inside of the glass when the appliance is turned on can leave dirty black run marks and cloudy stains on the glass surface. (a cubic metre of gas contains around a litre of water!)

In our experience the glass gets dirty on every glass fronted fire we sell.

The glass panels are easy for customers to remove for cleaning with over the counter glass cleaners.

Are gas fires maintenance free?

Certainly not! Similar to a car, they need a service, usually annually.

Dirt particles down the gas line, household dust and pet hairs can easily block the pilots stopping the appliance to light.

Soot and dirt forming over the coals can drop on the pilot can interfere with the lighting and operation of the fire

The most popular fault enquiry we get nearly everyday regarding gas fires is “my fire wont light” and our reply is have you changed your ignition batteries?

Most fires with slide or remote control operations have batteries fitted, normally AA type and fitted below the front of the fire.

Changing the batteries with new ones (not old batteries from around the house!) resolves over 70% of all trouble shooting requests we get!

What is an ODS oxygen depletion system?

All modern gas fires we sell are fitted with these safety features. They monitor the oxygen level in the room and shut off the gas to the fire in the event of oxygen levels falling from say a flue becoming blocked or inadequate ventilation.

Do I need to have a metal liner fitted to my chimney when I buy a new gas fire?

No, in most cases as long as the chimney is sound and not leaking gas fumes you will not need a liner installed. Your gas safe installer will assess the condition of your flue prior to installation of your new appliance.

Do all the gas appliances you sell come with a warranty?

We don’t buy products from any third party only from the manufacturers themselves and all our products come with the manufactures full warranty.

Some offer extended warranties subject to the appliance being registered with the manufacturer at the time of installation. Failure to do so will invalidate any extended warranty offers.

What safety features are on my gas fire?

All gas fires are fitted with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS), and all fires have a flame failure device (FFD) for complete safety and peace of mind.

How do I calculate the running costs of my gas fire?

The running costs of a gas fire can be calculated quite simply using the following calculation: Running Cost = Energy Input (gross KW) x Your Gas Bill Tariff per KW. This gives you the cost.

What servicing does my gas fire require?

All gas appliances should be serviced annually. Some require a part to be replaced annually to extend your warranty. This service must be undertaken by a GasSafe (Great Britain) registered engineer. Gas fires are not maintenance free appliances and most calls we receive are when the appliance has not been serviced and has stopped working! There are lots of self-maintenance things you can do to keep your appliance working in between servicing, simply one is to replace the ignition batteries. Please refer to our gas fire check list we provide with every sale for up to date advise.
The majority of modern gas fires are designed as a back-up to central heating. If you are looking for a fire specifically as a heat source, please contact us so we can advise on which fires will be more suitable.

General Questions
I have viewed products in your showroom & seen products on your website, can they be mixed & matched?

Quite simply Yes, you can mix n match surrounds, backs and hearths, fires and even the fireplace materials, colours and sizes! Please call for more information.

Do I have to change my carpet or flooring if I purchase a new fireplace?

No we can offer full bespoke made to measure fireplaces and hearths to suit your existing flooring.

Why are so many peoples swapping their gas fires for electric fires?

Whilst we still sell many gas appliances, we are now finding that clients with warm well insulated modern houses don’t feel they need the heat a gas fire produces and so the switch to an electric fire is a great option as the LED flame effects on electric fires are very cheap to run (sometimes as little as £8 a year on the flame effect only). Customers like the option of having a flame effect as a focal point without the need for heat. Don’t forget all the electric fires we sell have up to 2kw fan heaters as well should you need that electric heat top up boost.

What is an oxygen depletion sensor and flame supervision device?

An Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) detects when oxygen levels in the room fall below a specified level and cause the pilot flame to lift away from the sensing probe. This activates the flame failure device (FFD), which cuts off the gas supply to the fire and renders the appliance safe.

I can smell gas – what should I do?

Call the free Gas Emergency Services emergency line immediately on 0800 111 999. Open all doors and windows to ventilate the property. Do not turn on/off any electrical switches. Extinguish all naked flames, do not smoke, strike matches or do anything which could cause ignition. If there are any electrical security entry phones/locks, please open door manually.

Online Purchase
Why do some products on your website not have their prices displayed?

Unfortunately, many of our manufacturers have an internet policy that will not allow us to display prices online for their products. There are many reasons for this and mainly they feel their products should be sold via a local retailer network where help and advice in choosing the correct product is at hand. We find most of our sales come via our showroom or over the phone after a good friendly product suitability chat.
For unbeatable prices on any of the “showroom exclusive or call for price” products please call us on 01782 271197.

Why for online sales do you only deliver to the card holders billing address?

This is a precautionary measure we’ve had to implement to protect you the customer. Unfortunately, fraudulent use of credit cards still exists, and this is one of the ways we ensure that no one is using your card illegally.
We hope you understand that this requirement is for your protection.

Electric Fires
Why choose an electric fire/fireplace?

Flexibility & Safety – since venting and chimneys are not necessary and heat is optional, you can install an electric fireplace almost anywhere in your home.
Plug and Play – No running gas lines and no chopping logs, simply use the electricity already in your home.
Ambiance & Comfort – Get a beautiful flame effect, with or without the heat, so you can enjoy the art of fire year-round.
No problems with fitting TVs above the fire as there is no direct heat problems associated with gas and wood burning appliances.

Why choose an electric fire over a gas fire?

Ease of use and very little maintenance are key factors over a gas fire option.

More and more homes today are well insulated with modern central heating systems and double glazing resulting in the fact that the need for the extra heat from a gas fire is no longer needed. Electric fires provide a boost of heat and top u the heat in the home which is often sufficient for most homes.

The easy rule is that if you very rarely use your gas fire then an electric fire is the right choice option for you.

How much do electric fires cost to run?

There are two running costs to consider

  1. The flame effect only (most electric fires are used this way as a focal point.)
    1. All modern electric fires use LED bulbs within the flame effect and are very economical to run. A quick example is that for a flame effect fire only if used five hours a day all year round would cost around £15 for the year!
  2. The heater running costs.
    1. To work this out you need to take the kilowatt hour price you pay for your electric and multiply it by the kilowatt output of the fire. (E.g., 22p per Kw x 2Kw output = 44p per hour) most popular 4kw convector plus inset fires cost around 45p per hour on high.
What is the maximum heat output of an electric fire?

2 kilowatts is the maximum output most brands offer between 1.3 and 2Kw output.

What type of plug and lead are supplied with electric fires?

All electric fires are supplied with standard three pin thirteen amp plugs as standard. Lead lengths can very between 1.5 and 2 metres. Most have plug in kettle type leads.

Are electric fires noisy?

Most electric fires have a flame effect and a heat effect, on the flame effect only setting,  the appliances are very quiet. Most of the new electric fires on the market give a slight background noise/hum as the flame effect moves.

When the heater setting is in use, this works by having a fan to blow the heat into the room. This operation can be compared to a hair dryer on low. Some brands are quieter than others and you can see all brands working on display in our showroom. We get very little negative feedback about excessive fan noise and our customers enjoy the benefit of the electric fire – easy to install and use, with low maintenance.

Can I mount a TV above an electric fire?

Yes, and we are selling a lot of fires set in media walls with a TV located above the fire. The fires fan heaters blow heat away and down and none have the heat coming out directly vertical above the fire.

What warranty do electric fires have?

All come with a minimum twelve-month parts and labour warranty and most brands offer extended free warranties with some up to five years. To get the warranty you must register the appliance with the manufacturer at time of purchase.

Most brands offer chargeable out of warranty service calls to repair your fire.

Can I see a good range of electric fires working before I buy?

Yes, our extensive showrooms display every range of electric fire in the UK!

We show models of every brand giving you the opportunity to compare, costs, design features and operating methods side by side, our experienced sales team are on hand to talk you through the purchasing process.

How easy is it to have a media wall – what should I consider

In its simplest form, a media wall is just the wall in your living room or lounge that you have your TV mounted on. However, for the best results many take the idea much further by creating elaborately bespoke stud wall frameworks in which to hide cables, house integrated storage space such as shelves, cupboards and drawers, and incorporate appliances such as an electric fire, widescreen TV etc. Some of the things to consider are:

TV size – What size of TV do you want, if you’re planning to upgrade to a bigger TV in the future, you may want to think about doing this sooner rather than later, or alternatively decide on a size and factor this into your design.

What additional devices do you want to include: soundbars, games consoles, set top boxes or speaker systems can all be included as well as shelving

Stoves
What is the difference between Woodburning and Multi-Fuel Stoves?

Wood Burning have a flat ash base as wood burns better on an ash bed because it uses air above to burn.

Multi-Fuel stoves have riddling grates and an ash pan below to allow air flow below the solid fuel i.e., coal and smokeless fuels (fossil fuels). Solid Fuels burn better with Air from below (multi-fuel stoves can burn wood, smokeless fuel, and coal.

Which are best Wood burning or Multi-Fuel?

Wood burning stoves are more environmentally friendly as burning wood is a renewable fuel source and carbon neutral.  Most modern stoves are wood burning only and have an efficiency rating between 70 – 8-%.

Multi-fuel stoves are still very popular but, nearly all our customers only burn wood nowadays.  Fossil fuels are being used less and less due to environmental issues. We have over 50 stoves on display in our showrooms with a good mix of both to see and choose from.

Cast Iron or Steel Stoves?

The vast majority of the stoves we sell are steel with cast iron doors. Cast Iron stoves can take longer to warm up, however they hold the heat longer.  Steel stoves warm up the room much quicker and cool down quicker. Cast Iron stoves tend to need more maintenance than steel stoves.

What size stove do I need to heat my room?

The output of stoves is measured in kilowatts per hour (kW).

  • Measure your room, length, width, and height i.e. A room 7m x 4m x 2.5m = 70 cubic metres of air.
  • Now consider how well the room is insulated? (Double Glazing, Cavity Wall insulation, High ceilings etc).
  • For poorly insulated rooms divide the cubic metre by 10,
  • For normal insulated rooms divide the cubic metre by 15
  • For well insulated rooms the cubic metre by 23
  • Our room example of 70 cubic metres divided by 15 (normal insulated) 70 divided by 15 = 4.67kW,
  • We would recommend a 5kW stove (85% of the stoves we sell are nominal 5kW stoves)
What type of wood should I burn?

Well-seasoned or kiln dried is a must. Seasoned wood is wood that has been cut and allowed to dry out to reduce the water content. Usually, the seasoned wood needs to be cut and split and then left under cover with a good air supply for around a year before use. The best woods for stoves are:

Ash – widely considered to be the ultimate fuel, burns steady and gives great heat

Oak – Another great fuel, burns slowly and steadily but needs seasoning for around 2 years

Beech – Burns like Ash but not as efficient and has a higher moisture content

Other woods include Cedar, Hawthorn, Maple, Rowan, and Apple. See your wood supplier for more details. Never burn wood that has been varnished, painted treated or wet unseasoned timber.

Do I need a liner in my chimney?

Metal flexible liners are used to re-line traditional chimney stacks.  These are twin skin construction; the outer face is usually corrugated, and the inner surface is smooth.  Liners can also be used for gas and multifuel installations. With most house chimneys being quite old now we strongly recommend that a liner is fitted. It improves safety, helps with sweeping (stops the need for access hatches) and improves the overall performance of the stove. We only use top quality pressure tested liners in 316 grade stainless steel (sometimes 904 grade stainless steel where solid fuels are mainly being used). Purchasing cheap liners is false economy. Most liner kits we sell have a terracotta pot hanging cowl for the roof, and an adaptor at the bottom of the liner that then connects to a vitreous enamel flue pipe that in turn connects to the stove.

Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm?

It is a legal requirement to have a carbon monoxide alarm and notice plate with all new stove installations.

What are the installation regulations for stoves?

Building regulations for stoves are found in Document J of the building regulations 2010 http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010.pdf

Using a HETAS approved installer who is qualified to certify your installation is normal practice.

Please contact us for further details.

What is the difference between a closure plate and register plate

A closure plate is a cosmetic plate that surrounds the flue liner at the bottom of a chimney to stop the heat escaping. A register plate is used where no liner is in place and prevents, soot, smoke and gasses being released into the room. These are used to provide access hatches for sweeping.

What are Eco design stoves?
All the stoves we sell are DEFRA exempt for burning wood in smoke-controlled areas. Stoves sold in the EU from 1st Jan 2022 need to be SIA ECO design approved. ECO design stoves are designed to lower emissions from stoves and improve efficiency. Some stoves are showing 70% less emissions than some of
the stoves sold only 10 years ago. There is further information on the HETAS website
I haven’t got a chimney, can I still have a wood burner?
Generally the answer is Yes! We use a specially insulated twin wall flue system to create a chimney. These are available in either Black or a Stainless finish and can also be fitted to the exterior of a property.