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Gas fires are an excellent way to improve the feel and look of your home. They are designed to provide an efficient secondary source of targeted heat to rooms, rather than wasting money heating rooms which aren't occupied. Installed by a Gas Safe engineer a gas fire and fireplace can transform your living room adding desirability and helping increase the value to your property. Superior Fires believes shopping for a new or replacement fire should be a pleasurable experience so we have prepared below a guide to help you understand the technical jargon, and answer some of the most common questions.
What type of chimney or flue do I have?
There are three types of chimney and flue found within homes. These are conventional chimney, pre-fabricated flue and pre-cast flue.
Conventional Chimney - A class 1 chimney is commonplace in houses built before 1960 and is easily recognisable by a brick chimney stack or flue rising above the roof slope. A class 1 chimney has an internal diameter of 7” (180mm) or greater. Previously the fireplace would have been used as a real solid fuel fire, especially in the case of older Victorian properties, and this is sometimes identifiable by a concrete chair brick at the back of the fire opening. Due to the age particular attention is required to ensure the existing chimney is structurally sound before any fireplace installation procedure. Class 1 chimneys tend to have a good depth and therefore generally accomodate all our conventional chimney gas fires including our Whatley and Walther range of full depth fires. However, it is worth seeking professional advice as the concrete chairbrick may have to be removed in order to fit our deepest Walther full depth convector gas fire as this firebox has a square footprint unlike the Walther which has a tapered firebox footprint.
Pre-Fabricated Flues - Class 1 (7") and Class 2 (5") - A pre-fabricated flue is generally found in older houses where the existing chimney has been lined due to the existing chimney no longer being of sound integrity, or a newer house with a purpose built steel flue built-in. They can be identified by a steel metal interlocking flue pipe (single or twin wall flue) connected to a flue box at the fireplace opening and a steel gas terminal on your roof. A flue pipe with a minimum internal diameter of 7” (180mm) or more is recognised as a class 1 flue whereas a flue pipe generally around 5” (127mm) internal diameter is recognised as a class 2 flue. Generally speaking the flue box of a pre-fabricated class 1 and class 2 flue have a pretty standard opening width 375-437mm and height 500-565mm however, the depth can vary between 196 - 330mm so be sure to check this against the fire.
Pre-Cast Flue - Many modern houses built after 1960 do not have a class 1 brick chimney but are fitted with a pre-cast chimney system identifiable by a ridge vent or gas terminal through the roof slope. A pre-cast flue is built from gas flue blocks which are built into and bonded with the inner leaf block work of an external wall, is allows the fires to be installed within a partition or party wall or external wall. Due to the nature and type of construction pre-cast chimneys tend to be shallow in depth.
No Chimney or Flue If you can't see a chimney or flue terminating through your roof and no chimney breast in your living room then it is very likely your home doesn't have the provisions for a conventionally flued gas fire. But this does not mean you can't have a beautiful gas fire and fireplace. As long as your home has the provision to supply natural gas to the point of installation Superior Fires has a range of options to offer.
Tell me more about High Efficiency flued gas fires?
Our high efficiency range of flued gas fires, incorporate a glass front which optimises heat performance and efficiency therefore costing less to run.
How does this work?
The glass front significantly reduces the warm room-air being drawn up the chimney or flue. In addition to this the convection air design draws in present cold room-air and circulates this through the hotbox to produce convected hot air back into the room. This increases performance and optimises efficiency.
Are they safe?
For complete safety and peace of mind all of our fires incorporate an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS), which detect when the 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.
What about installation and servicing?
All gas fires must be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. We have designed this fire with the installer in mind so that installation including future servicing is made simple with minimal effort and disruption.
Can I have a flueless gas fire or stove?
Our exciting range of flueless gas fires and stoves are the perfect flat wall, no chimney solution to instant warmth. Our innovative technology provides a flexible design for your house or apartment, allowing you to install a fire not only in the living room, but also dining room, office, study, and kitchen.* For all you need to know about Flueless Fires please read our helpful Guide.
If you have a natural gas or LPG supply and can run a standard 8mm gas pipe to the fire installation point, while ensuring you have the minimum room size and adequate ventilation you can benefit from this technology.
*Flueless fires are not permitted in the bathroom. Check model specification to see if available in NG or LPG
How do flueless gas fires work?
Flueless fires incorporate the latest in gas fire technology and do not need a chimney or flue to operate. Instead, the combustion gases pass through a catalytic converter system, positioned at the top of the appliance, which converts carbon monoxide into harmless carbon dioxide and water vapour, levels of which are so low they are typically present in fresh air. In fact, the catalytic converter works so effectively that it can actually help to clean the air by neutralising airborne particles and odours, therefore helping to reduce household allergies.
How long does the catalytic converter last?
Independent tests commissioned to establish the life expectancy of the catalytic converter have proved that even after 16,957 hours (approximately equivalent to 27 years and eight months of normal use)* the catalytic converter is as effective as when it is new.
Are they safe?
For complete safety and peace of mind all of our fires incorporate an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS), which detect when the 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. For additional safety, all of our flueless fires are fitted with a catalytic converter system to ensure excellent levels of air quality.
What ventilation is required?
Most heating appliances need ventilation to maintain the correct level of oxygen in the room. All of our flueless appliances installed in the UK require only 100cm² of additional purpose provided ventilation.* *For installation in the Republic of Ireland, two fixed openings are required with a minimum effective opening each of 60cm². Both ventilators should be fitted on the same wall, one at high level and one low level with a minimum vertical separation of 160cm.
What about condensation?
All of our flueless fires are designed to supplement central heating and should be used as a secondary heat source only. Therefore, the background ambient temperature of the room will prevent any moisture from condensing on colder surfaces such as single glazed windows.
Eco friendly – reducing the Greenhouse Effect
We all have our part to play in making our homes more environmentally friendly and flueless technology has been awarded five stars for eco value for money, by leading eco-consultant Donnachadh McCarthy. Article from the Sunday Times, 2006. If the 15 million flued gas fires in the UK were replaced by flueless fires, we would save 40,260,000,000 kW of gas every year which would in turn reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 7,649,400 tonnes every year.*
*Calculation is based on the assumption of 4 hours a day for 5 months of the year. A flueless gas fire converts 100% of the gas to heat unlike open coal effect fires which convert as little as 10%. Typically running costs are less than 9 pence per hour on high, which is approximately a third of the running cost of a conventional gas fire. By choosing a flueless gas fire it is possible to make a real contribution towards reducing global warming and lower gas bills at the same time.
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.
What is an oxygen depletion sensor and a 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.
Does my gas fire require an electrical supply?
Manual - Rotary Control
All our manual control gas fires feature a piezo spark ignition therefore do not require a battery or mains power supply to operate.This is benefit as you only need a Gas Safe registered engineer to install your fire and not a qualified electrician in addition.
Manual - Fingerslide
Our Fingerslide control gas fires do not require a battery or mains power supply to operate however, do require a battery (supplied) for ignition. This is located below the burner.
Remote Control
Our Remote control fires do not require a mains supply but do require a battery (supplied) for ignition. The remote control also requires batteries.
Do I need an air vent with my gas fire?
None of our flued gas fires require additional purpose provided ventilation as the heat input is below 7kW.
All of our flueless gas fires installed in the UK require 100cm² of additional purpose provided ventilation.
Air Vent For Flueless Gas Fires & Stoves
Choosing the correct air vent for your flueless gas fire is critical if you want to enjoy the full benefits of a flueless gas fire - energy efficiency and heat.
The vent is there to add fresh air to the room - not to take air out. Buying a high quality air vent from Superior Fires will save considerable cost in the long run
- What do you mean by 100cm² ventilation? The 100cm² air vent specified in our Installation & User Manual state a "minimum amount of free air" - this is not the size of the vent (a common misconception) but is the volume of air which passes through the vent.
- What happens if I do not have the right size air vent? If a smaller vent is fitted the fire installation will not be signed off by a Gas Safe registered engineer. In additiion it will cause the fire to be unreliable and shutdown. The same will happen if the vent is blocked.
- What is the pupose of an air vent? The purpose is to provide fresh air ventilation to replenish the air used by the flueless gas fire. It is not to take air out. Buying a high quality air vent from Superior Fires will save considerable cost in the long run. A high quality air vent can significantly help reduce any drafts if installed correctly.
- Will I experience a draft from the air vent?
- Who can install my air vent? Superior Fires strongly recommends that the air vent is fitted by the same Gas Safe engineer who is fitting your fire. This is because they must be fitted in accordance with the manufacturers installation instructions otherwise this could affect your
- How will the air vent be delivered? The air vent will be delivered along with your gas fires for your added convenience.
Benefits:
- Superior Fires approved air vent for our flueless gas fires
- High Quality design
- Choice of 2 types: Easy install or Maximum Draught Protection
- 100cm² Ventilation
All our flueless gas fires require a 100cm² purpose provided air vent in the room to provide fresh air ventilation to replenish the air used by the fire. A high quality air vent can significantly help reduce any drafts if installed correctly. Superior Fires has approved two models for use with our flueless gas fires and they can be purchased at the same time as fire for your added convenience.
How do I calculate the running cost 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) x Your Gas Bill Tariff.
Example for a Grosvenor High Efficiency Gas Fire: Energy Input (gross) 5.0kW x Gas Bill Tariff (gross) 4.00p/kWh = Running Cost 20.0p per hour.
Your Gas Bill Tariff figure can be taken from a recent gas bill. Alternatively contact your gas provider for this information.
This price is provided by uSwitch on the 17th July 2015 and is based upon a customer living in BH23 2BT, paying monthly by direct debit on a dual fuel tariff.
Where are the controls for my gas fire?
Manual Control
As standard all of our fires come with a Manual - Rotary control knob, which incorporates a piezo spark ignition (no battery or mains electric is required), and is fully variable between the preset high and low settings. On inset models the rotary control knob is located at the bottom of the fire, behind the decorative fret or frame. On wall mounted flueless gas fires the rotary control is located on the right hand side of the fire.
Fingerslide
Our conventional flued inset Fingerslide control gas fires feature a slide control mechanism which is located on the top right-hand side of the fire. This makes the fire a perfect option not only for the elderly or infirm but also for anyone wanting to control the fire simply, without the need to kneel down and remove the ash pan. Simply slide the lever downwards to ignite the gas burner and then slide upwards to vary from low through to high setting.
Our flueless gas stoves also feature our Fingerslide control mechanism and this is positioned at the front of the appliance for easy access. Simply slide the lever to the left to ignite the gas burner and then slide to the right to vary from low through to high setting.
Remote
The remote control option enables the appliance to be controlled from the comfort of your armchair, a feature especially beneficial to the elderly, disabled or infirm.
How do I control my gas fire?
Manual - Rotary Control
As standard all of our fires come with a manual rotary control knob, which incorporates a piezo spark ignition (no battery and mains electric supply is required). The rotary control knob is located at the bottom of the fire, behind the decorative fret or frame. To operate the fire push in the knob and rotate the knob clockwise. The knob will click twice - this should mean the pilot is lit. Once the pilot is confirmed as lit simply depress the knob slightly and continue to rotate from low to high.
Manual - Fingerslide Control
The Fingerslide control for our conventional inset flued gas fires are located at the top right side of the fire. The Fingerslide requires a battery for ignition. This is sited below the burner and will need to be changed depending on the amount of use. To light the fire simply press down on the lever and then once the pilot is lit, slowly move the lever upwards to vary from low through to high setting. To turn the fire off simply slide the level all the way to the top.
The fingerslide control for our flueless gas fires are situated at the front of the stove for easy access. The Fingerslide requires a battery for ignition. This is sited below the burner and will need to be changed depending on the amount of use. To light the stove simply slide the lever to the left and then once the pilot is lit, slowly move the lever to the right to vary from low through to high setting. To turn the fire off simply slide the level all the way to the right.
The Fingerslide control mechanism is not only perfect for the elderly or infirm but prevents you having to kneel down and remove the ashpan
Remote Control
The remote control option enables the appliance to be controlled from the comfort of your armchair, a feature especially beneficial to the elderly, disabled or infirm.