Bioethanol fires

Taadaa

Posted on the in my home group as well.

We have an electric fire in our front room that we used to use when it snows heavily or to warm the room up whilst waiting for the gas central heating to warm up. However now with unit prices so high, I want to get rid of it.

There is a gas pipe so we could get a gas fire, but am considering bioethanol as it seems a bit more sustainable. Does anyone have an experience of these?

Is it possible to get an old cast iron insert and convert it?

Many thanks

rustyboy21

I dont think it is going to work out very reasonable to run one , by the loks of it.

They have been around for a few years, but they are mostly contmporary in design amd don't give much heat out.

I know they have been shown at the fireplace trade shows, but no one has really got behind them, as the cost running them outweighs their usefulness.

If you have a gas pipe there look at some of the high efficiency gas fires on the market now. They are a lot more efficient than fires used to be and a lot cheaper to run than a cast insert fire, which would have what is known as a DGF fire in it which is about 30 % efficient. A HE fire is round 90% efficient usingthe same if not less gas.

If you only want a fire for purely decorative use and not a lot of heat, then go for electric.

bernithebiker

Ethanol fires really don't give off much heat.

Greenfires

I picked up a load of bioethanol firelighter gel sachets and some camp stoves which were filled with bioethanol gel.

The firelighters will just about light dry kindling. I can't imagine using the stuff as a heat source really - it's one of those flames you can happily wave your hand about in - much like methylated spirits. I think the "fires" are more for effect than heating - we had a fancy urn sort of thing that sat in the middle of the dinner table and used the same stuff. Very little in the way of heating.

If you want sustainable, have a think about a woodburner maybe? Many of our customers tell us they've saved a fortune on gas since they've had a stove installed, as the heat soon gets around the house if doors are left open. Oh - I'm not a stove installer by the way - I just sweep their chimneys - didn't want you to think I was trying to flog something!

Andy

OptionARMAGEDDON

Sustainable? Do you know how much oil goes into the fertilizer which is used to make bioethanol?