| F I R E O P T I O N S & M E A S U R E M E N T |
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FIRE OPTIONS AVAILABLE BASED ON YOUR CHIMNEY TYPE:
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The heat source you can have within your chosen fireplace is dependent on the type of chimney you have and the size of the insert you choose.
This section is here to help to identify what type of fire is appropriate for your circumstances. Firstly identify what type of chimney you have.
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| Class 1 Chimney. |
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Commonly in older houses, earlier than 1960, the Class 1 chimney is identifiable by its 7" (180mm) or greater diameter flue. The existing chimney must be strucutrally sound, please check before the installtion of a new fireplace.
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Either an older house where the existing chimney has been lined by a proprietary steel flue or a newer house with a steel flue built in. This chimney type is idnetifiable by a 5" (130mm) diameter flue and a steel flue terminal.
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Modern houses generally later than 1960 often have a pre-cast concrete chimney system, identifiable by a rectangular box section flue and a terminal, as illustrated in the picture.
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Modern houses often have no chimney, your options are either an electric fire or a Powerflue system that can allow you to install a working gas fireplace. The Powerflue option must be installed on an outside wall with suitable room and height for the expulsion of gases.
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CATALYTIC FLUELESS FIRES:
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Around the world many million flueless heaters are produced every year. Many of these are the simple wall mounted radiant heaters with only an oxygen depletion pilot as a safety device. As well as being economical to purchase and fit, they are 100% efficient. For many they provide a cost effective means of heating and can provide a means to overcome "fuel poverty". They have an environmental benefit from the reduction in carbon monoxide emissions over other forms of heating including electricity.
Because every bit of heat that comes out of a flueless fire heats the room they are 100% efficient. Other heaters claim efficiencies of up to 90% an in the case of balanced flue and condensing type appliances this is often true.
Flueless fires operate without the need of a flue or chimney. The gases produced from the burner pass through a single or double (dependent on model) catalytic converter system, positioned at the top of the fire. This system converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and water vapour at levels typically present in fresh air.
With no heat being lost up a chimney or flue, Flueless fires are 100% efficient. This results in all of the heat produced being used to warm the room.
Unlike most gas fires which use between 7kw - 13kw of gas per hour, Flueless fires use only 2.6 (typically) kw of gas and therefore have much cheaper running costs.
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| B. An example of a side-vented flue configuration to the fan. C. An example showing a rear-vented flue configuration to the fan. |
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With any installation we offer a survey service. This will determine whether your choice of fire / fireplace will fit, and also so that we can generate an accurate estimate for the supply of the various components involved (e.g. fire, fire surround, hearth, back panel, accessories), all installation and removal costs involved, and any additional work (e.g. new lintol, plastering, etc).
To speed up the selection process we have outlined some handy measurements that you could bring with you to the showroom. The most important measurement is the width of the chimney breast which will determine the mantel / fire surround size. If the fireplace is going to be installed on a flat wall you are not limited by mantel / surround size.
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The measurements shown here will give you a good idea of your requirements should you require a replacement fireplace which is a similar size to your existing arrangement.
However if you are looking at an entirely new fireplace concept the best measurement to bring with you is the width of the chimney breast.
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