Frequently Asked Questions
What is a living flame gas fire?
Living flame gas fires use the process of combustion to create heat. Oxygen and natural gases inside the fire are ignited by controls on the fire or remote control, which then delivers warmth and light into your home.
In the 1980s, real flame gas fires faced a surge in popularity: their cost-effectiveness and realism became the staple choice amongst homeowners, and since then, fireplace technology has only continued to improve.
Now, retailers like Fires2U can provide homes with state-of-the-art gas fires. Not only do they become the striking centrepiece of your room, but they are highly versatile and come in a range of contemporary and modern designs.
Plus, you can choose from a vast range of control options, including manual control (which is often standard), slide control, touch control, top control or remote control. You can also select your preferred thermostatic control features on some models, available in either natural gas (which is standard) or LPG gas (which if available is an optional cost option).
How much does it cost to run a living flame gas fire?
How much living flame gas fires cost to run can be influenced by several factors. First, the size of your gas fire, otherwise known as the heat input. If you choose a fire with a high heat input, you will use more kilowatts of heat per hour and running it will be more expensive.
UK gas prices will also have a knock-on effect on real gas flame fires. As of January 2023, the cost of gas in kilowatts per hour averages 10.3 pence.
If these prices rise, running your fire will set you back more. Economic impacts like the cost of living crisis, inflation or recession can also cause gas prices to skyrocket, so no standard price is guaranteed.
Lastly, how often you use your fire will significantly alter the cost. The UK is notorious for its blustering winds and rainy weather, so there’s nothing like coming home to a roaring gas fire on a cold winter’s day. But beware: you may face a larger gas bill at the end of the month!
What is the best living flame gas fire?
Here at Fires2U, we love all our products in equal measure. But if we had to choose a favourite from our range of living flame gas fires, the Crystal Diamond Contemporary Gas Fire would top our list.
As one of the hottest slimline gas fires, the Crystal Diamond boasts an impressive 3.2kw output for its small stature. If you don’t have a lot of depth in your home, don’t worry: the pre-cast model is a popular choice amongst homeowners who don’t have a lot of depth in their homes. Its 100mm firebox can fit snugly into shallow areas and bring warmth to even the smallest rooms.
Do you hate having to move from your comfortable sofa to change your fire settings? Not anymore! The Crystal Diamond model showcases everything great about living flame gas fires by giving you the option of either manual or, for an additional cost, remote control.
Once you’ve chosen a coal or pebble fuel effect, you can kick back and relax in front of your new contemporary gas fire.
Does a living flame gas fire need a chimney?
Some real flame gas fires cannot be installed without the need for a brick chimney.
Your home must have a Class 2 pre-fabricated chimney to channel the carbon monoxide away from your home and through the flue. Other models, such as standard gas and wood-burning stoves, require a Class 1 brick chimney.
However, you can also purchase balanced flue gas stoves or fires these fires come with a horizontal pipe which vents directly through an external wall and go outside your property. Balanced Flue gas fires are always glass fronted so it makes them highly efficient to run.
Flueless gas stoves or fire do not require a flue either: they use a catalytic converter to turn harmful gases into safe fumes that release into your home’s atmosphere and are 100% efficient to run.
