Gas or electric fire?

Klug

Hi all
We have an old fire recess in the lounge but no flue (chimney taken out).
Thinking of putting a fire back into the recess but are unsure of whether to go gas or electric (thinking MSE).
Gas can be piped from the kitchen under the floor or electric can be made available.

Thinking that gas is the cheaper utility generally, however, it is supposedly 'running out'. That leaves electric, but it is more expensive to run.
Any thoughts gratefully received.....:)

muppet83

Personally I'd choose a gas fire everytime, but thats just personal choice, I just like to look of them more and electric fires are supposed to be really expensive to run, but I've never had one so couldn't say for sure!

sunshinetours

How much will you use it? If only occasionally the electric is cheaper to install and maintain (no servicing). Gas will cost more upfront but may cots less in long run despite annual servicing and increased install costs etc

Also depends on what style you like and whether you want "real" flames or "pretend" ones !

phill99

I'm assuming that this won't be the primary source of heating in the room and that you have CH. Therefore, its likely to be for occassional use (cooler autumn evenings etc) and for effect. Many of the gas fires now are not ideal as a heat source, but are 'for effect' and often give out very poor heat, whereas the electic one will be more heat effective. Also, if the gas one needs replacing, it is expensive to change, wheras aan electric one is more straightforward to change.

Jon_Tiffany

I''ll second what phill99 said - if its mainly for effect and secondry heating I would go for electric. Gas fires have additonal safety concerns, such as ventilation, gas safety, venting etc. Some of the electric fires on the market at the moment look fantastic and there is a great range to choose from.

kabayiri

Klug wrote: »

...
Thinking that gas is the cheaper utility generally, however, it is supposedly 'running out'. That leaves electric, but it is more expensive to run.
Any thoughts gratefully received.....:)

You will have replaced your fire before natural gas runs out so I wouldn't worry on that front.

We have just installed a balanced flue gas fire, which is pretty efficient, but was quite expensive to purchase and install.

grizzly1911

kabayiri wrote: »

You will have replaced your fire before natural gas runs out so I wouldn't worry on that front.

We have just installed a balanced flue gas fire, which is pretty efficient, but was quite expensive to purchase and install.

Pushing up daisies more like;)

grizzly1911

Jon_Tiffany wrote: »

I''ll second what phill99 said - if its mainly for effect and secondary heating I would go for electric. Gas fires have additonal safety concerns, such as ventilation, gas safety, venting etc. Some of the electric fires on the market at the moment look fantastic and there is a great range to choose from.

If your CH is man enough then I go with Jon & Phil.

When we moved in to our house (modern ) it had a proper chimney and a gas pipe presented. the prior owner couldn't afford anything and just left the plaster board wall in place. it doesn't have a fireback.

We didn't want real flames due to young pyromaniacs in the house at the time

Fitted Dimplex a fire through into the "fireplace". The flames are behind some kind of glass that gives a 3D effect of flames as though recessed in the fire. All we use it for is effect as the central heating is more than adequate.

If needed, the hidden 2KW heater with thermostat, does an admiral job.

Whilst you can get some pretty efficient living flame fires these days 50Ws of glow and small fan has got to be cheaper. It has a seal round the edge so no outside drafts.

dander

I put in a second hand electric fire as a temporary measure while I investigated what work I'd need to have done on the chimney to get it up to standard for a gas fire - I love the electric fire so much I'm keeping it!
The huge advantage to me is that the flames and the heat are not connected, so I can have the flames on at the push of a button all winter and the room has that cosy open fire feel for just the cost of a lightbulb.
Like other posters, I very rarely actually want the extra heat from the fire because the central heating is fine.