Light My Fire: What to Know if You Fancy a Fireplace
A flickering fire is the perfect companion on a chilly day. Here's what you need to know before you fire it up
Winter is here… and with it comes the warmly welcomed ritual of curling up in front of a fire. If you are thinking of installing a new fireplace or restoring an existing one, there are some important details to consider first, from different models and costs to efficiency and regulations.
Today’s Trends
“The trends for houses tend to be wood or gas fireplaces,” says Steven Frankland from Woodpecker Heating & Cooling. Apartment dwellers are a little more restricted due to body corporate regulations, though unit dwellers still have plenty of options.
“It is increasingly popular for people who live in apartments to use electric fireplaces as a focal point in a main living space (not to be used as a heating source), which is the perfect companion for a glass of wine while you watch the flames flicker,” Frankland says.
Where to put the fireplace
“The trends for houses tend to be wood or gas fireplaces,” says Steven Frankland from Woodpecker Heating & Cooling. Apartment dwellers are a little more restricted due to body corporate regulations, though unit dwellers still have plenty of options.
“It is increasingly popular for people who live in apartments to use electric fireplaces as a focal point in a main living space (not to be used as a heating source), which is the perfect companion for a glass of wine while you watch the flames flicker,” Frankland says.
Where to put the fireplace
Comparing the Costs
Before you sit down with a calculator, factor in the fluctuating rates of gas versus electricity, the availability of wood, the price of different models, installation fees and the cost of any other work involved such as constructing venting, installing a power source or maintaining an old chimney.
“Gas fireplaces tend to be slightly more expensive than wood,” Frankland says. “Electric fireplaces are the cheapest to buy, install and run, however, it is important to note that these are more for ambience than heating.”
Before you sit down with a calculator, factor in the fluctuating rates of gas versus electricity, the availability of wood, the price of different models, installation fees and the cost of any other work involved such as constructing venting, installing a power source or maintaining an old chimney.
“Gas fireplaces tend to be slightly more expensive than wood,” Frankland says. “Electric fireplaces are the cheapest to buy, install and run, however, it is important to note that these are more for ambience than heating.”
Wood-Burning Fireplaces
The pros
Nothing beats the ambience of a traditional wood fireplace – the sound of crackling logs, that smouldering smell and the hypnotic, flickering flames. Timber is also a renewable resource, which many suppliers now grow and harvest responsibly – a feature that consumers are often mindful of.
Today’s wood-burning fireplaces have come a long way from the hearths of yesteryear. Newer wood fires are still one of the most efficient options for heating your home, with enclosed models trumping all others in terms of warmth.
Tip: Use a screen to protect your floor from any stray sparks and reduce potential fire hazards. Childproof screens are also available if you have little ones at home.
The pros
Nothing beats the ambience of a traditional wood fireplace – the sound of crackling logs, that smouldering smell and the hypnotic, flickering flames. Timber is also a renewable resource, which many suppliers now grow and harvest responsibly – a feature that consumers are often mindful of.
Today’s wood-burning fireplaces have come a long way from the hearths of yesteryear. Newer wood fires are still one of the most efficient options for heating your home, with enclosed models trumping all others in terms of warmth.
Tip: Use a screen to protect your floor from any stray sparks and reduce potential fire hazards. Childproof screens are also available if you have little ones at home.
“A wood fireplace will generally heat a much larger area than a gas fireplace,” Frankland says. The wall-mounted cassette model above is one example of how an enclosed wood-burner can warm a vast open-plan space. Extra points are awarded for the stylish custom-designed wood storage boxes that flank the fireplace.
The cons
While wood fireplaces take first prize for heating and ambience, they also create the most mess – ash needs to be swept from the hearth, sparks can spit past the grate and logs need to be sourced and stored. If you have a chimney, have it checked every year – a job best left to the professionals if you want to sidestep all that soot.
Older, inefficient wood fires can also lose more heat up the chimney than the amount of warmth they diffuse.
Tip: Some councils impose temporary or permanent restrictions on wood fires due to the emissions they produce, so check your local legislation first.
While wood fireplaces take first prize for heating and ambience, they also create the most mess – ash needs to be swept from the hearth, sparks can spit past the grate and logs need to be sourced and stored. If you have a chimney, have it checked every year – a job best left to the professionals if you want to sidestep all that soot.
Older, inefficient wood fires can also lose more heat up the chimney than the amount of warmth they diffuse.
Tip: Some councils impose temporary or permanent restrictions on wood fires due to the emissions they produce, so check your local legislation first.
Gas-Burning Fireplaces
The pros
If the thought of flicking a switch is more appealing than using logs and kindling to coax a fire from scratch, look no further than gas. Newer gas fireplaces can be more heat efficient than older wood-burners and are cleaner too, both in terms of emissions and mess.
Gone are the days when gas fireplaces lacked the ambience of traditional wood-burning hearths. Many models feature realistic-looking ceramic logs while contemporary designs make a stylish statement with pebbles or river stones, such as the sleek custom-built fireplace above.
Browse cosy fireside spaces
The pros
If the thought of flicking a switch is more appealing than using logs and kindling to coax a fire from scratch, look no further than gas. Newer gas fireplaces can be more heat efficient than older wood-burners and are cleaner too, both in terms of emissions and mess.
Gone are the days when gas fireplaces lacked the ambience of traditional wood-burning hearths. Many models feature realistic-looking ceramic logs while contemporary designs make a stylish statement with pebbles or river stones, such as the sleek custom-built fireplace above.
Browse cosy fireside spaces
Gas fireplaces are often preferred in densely populated inner-city areas and are rarely difficult to install. As an added bonus, you’ll never need to fossick for fuel because they are connected to your gas supply.
The cons
According to Frankland, gas fireplaces are less effective at warming your home than wood-burners. “Gas fireplaces in Australia are predominantly used as a secondary source of heat following a ducted heating or hydronic system,” he says. Purists may also add that although they look visually stylish, some lack the sensory ambience of a crackling wood blaze.
According to Frankland, gas fireplaces are less effective at warming your home than wood-burners. “Gas fireplaces in Australia are predominantly used as a secondary source of heat following a ducted heating or hydronic system,” he says. Purists may also add that although they look visually stylish, some lack the sensory ambience of a crackling wood blaze.
Electric Fireplaces
The pros
Electric fireplaces are some of the easiest models to install because there is no need to flue the fire. You can switch them on or off with the flick of a remote and some even feature different visual effects, allowing you to customise the display to suit your taste. Like gas, there is no need to refill or refuel electric fireplaces and they pose an excellent option for apartments and high-density living.
The pros
Electric fireplaces are some of the easiest models to install because there is no need to flue the fire. You can switch them on or off with the flick of a remote and some even feature different visual effects, allowing you to customise the display to suit your taste. Like gas, there is no need to refill or refuel electric fireplaces and they pose an excellent option for apartments and high-density living.
The cons
Electric fireplaces are less efficient sources of heat than their wood and gas-fuelled cousins, so Frankland cautions that while they look alluring, you will likely need a back-up source to heat your home. Most electric fireplaces fall short of creating the cosy atmosphere of flickering flames; but people with a penchant for off-beat design may prefer these more modern visuals.
Electric fireplaces are less efficient sources of heat than their wood and gas-fuelled cousins, so Frankland cautions that while they look alluring, you will likely need a back-up source to heat your home. Most electric fireplaces fall short of creating the cosy atmosphere of flickering flames; but people with a penchant for off-beat design may prefer these more modern visuals.
Ethanol Fireplaces
The pros
If you have a burning desire for flickering flames but are renting your home, an ethanol fireplace could be your answer. Many wall-mounted models are portable, which means you can take your fireplace with you. These devices are used for decoration only and run on ethanol (methylated spirits), which is also marketed as bio-ethanol, bio-fuel or eco-fuel. There is no need to flue the fire so installation is usually the easiest of all.
Tip: If you have an ethanol burner, take care when you refill it – the fuel is highly flammable.
Turn your fireplace into a year-round standout
The pros
If you have a burning desire for flickering flames but are renting your home, an ethanol fireplace could be your answer. Many wall-mounted models are portable, which means you can take your fireplace with you. These devices are used for decoration only and run on ethanol (methylated spirits), which is also marketed as bio-ethanol, bio-fuel or eco-fuel. There is no need to flue the fire so installation is usually the easiest of all.
Tip: If you have an ethanol burner, take care when you refill it – the fuel is highly flammable.
Turn your fireplace into a year-round standout
The cons
In Australia, a nation-wide ban is currently in place for all tabletop ethanol burners and some freestanding models that lack safety features and warnings. Some products have been associated with fire hazards or have caused burns, particularly when people refuel them.
Larger freestanding ethanol fireplaces with specified safety features and warnings are still allowed, however, and many models – including the artistic raw steel fireplace pictured here – are also available in wood- and gas-burning versions. Ethanol fireplaces are better suited as features than heaters as they are far less efficient than wood, gas or electric options.
In Australia, a nation-wide ban is currently in place for all tabletop ethanol burners and some freestanding models that lack safety features and warnings. Some products have been associated with fire hazards or have caused burns, particularly when people refuel them.
Larger freestanding ethanol fireplaces with specified safety features and warnings are still allowed, however, and many models – including the artistic raw steel fireplace pictured here – are also available in wood- and gas-burning versions. Ethanol fireplaces are better suited as features than heaters as they are far less efficient than wood, gas or electric options.
A Final Checklist
Before you strike a match, Frankland offers a final list of questions to help identify the right fireplace to suit your needs.
“The first question to ask yourself is, do I want a fireplace to be used as a primary or secondary heat source?” he says. “What is the maximum amount of space I have to fit a fireplace? Is the fireplace I’m looking at compliant to Australian and New Zealand Standards?” He also suggests you ask, “Do I need to change my flooring in order for the fireplace to comply? And most importantly, how do I want my fireplace to look: will freestanding or in-built be more suitable for my space? If I have an existing fireplace, is the unit still compliant?”
Before you make a final decision, arrange for a professional to visit your home and assess the space. Then simply sit back, relax and watch the fire burn.
Tell us
Have you installed or restored a fireplace? We’d love to hear about your favourite type and why you love it in the Comments below.
More
Browse beautifully decorated living rooms
Before you strike a match, Frankland offers a final list of questions to help identify the right fireplace to suit your needs.
“The first question to ask yourself is, do I want a fireplace to be used as a primary or secondary heat source?” he says. “What is the maximum amount of space I have to fit a fireplace? Is the fireplace I’m looking at compliant to Australian and New Zealand Standards?” He also suggests you ask, “Do I need to change my flooring in order for the fireplace to comply? And most importantly, how do I want my fireplace to look: will freestanding or in-built be more suitable for my space? If I have an existing fireplace, is the unit still compliant?”
Before you make a final decision, arrange for a professional to visit your home and assess the space. Then simply sit back, relax and watch the fire burn.
Tell us
Have you installed or restored a fireplace? We’d love to hear about your favourite type and why you love it in the Comments below.
More
Browse beautifully decorated living rooms
Most fireplaces are divided into four main categories depending on the type of fuel they use: wood, gas, electricity or ethanol. Fireplaces can be either ventless or vented, where smoke and emissions are channeled outside through ducting or a chimney.
Tip: If you are looking to increase the efficiency of an old hearth, a good option is to use an insert, which is fitted into an existing fireplace. As with all types of fireplaces, inserts can be enclosed, like the freestanding stove pictured above, or open, like the suspended fireplace below.