Choosing the right fuel type (wood, gas, electric)
If you’re in the market for a warm and cosy new fire, before you start shopping around for a product that catches your eye, you should first have an understanding of the required heat output needed to keep your room at the ideal temperature.
Different rooms require different levels of heat to create a warm atmosphere, which means you need to select an appropriate fuel type to ensure your room isn’t too cold — or too hot!
However, we’re aware that many prospective buyers choosing their first fire won’t know where to begin when it comes to calculating how much heat their room will need, and which fuel type will be best for the job.
That’s why we've put together this blog — to explain how to calculate the heat requirement of a room, and what fuel type will be your best choice.
What determines the heat requirement of a room?
Size:
A good place to start is with the size of the room. Large rooms will require a fire that can kick out more heat, while smaller rooms can be kept warm by a fire with a lower heat output. When calculating the size of your room, don’t forget to include ceiling height, as well as the obvious length and width.
Windows:
Windows also play an important factor in the temperature of your room. Modern double or even triple glazed windows do a much better job at holding in heat than older, single glazed windows. So if you’re in a period property with older windows, it’s likely you’ll need a more powerful fire.
Walls:
The type of walls in your property also impacts heat insulation. Cavity walls tend to do a better job at holding in heat, and keeping out damp, compared to a solid wall — so be sure to check what type of walls you're working with.
Online tool:
Once you’ve considered the above factors we recommend using this online heat output calculator, which will provide you with a guideline kilowatt requirement for your room. Remember however, this tool is very much a guide only — because if your room has very poor insulation, it might recommend a kilowatt number that doesn’t exist in a product on the electrical fire market! That’s why it’s always best to speak to an expert who can recommend alternatives to electric fires, such as those we’ve outlined below.
What fuel types are available?
Wood:
If you have a room that requires a lot of heat, a wood burning fire will likely be your best option. Wood burning fires have the highest potential for heat output, plus modern wood burners can also be energy-efficient. They're enjoyed by a loyal fan base due to the cosy atmosphere they create, and the task of keeping the flames fed with high-quality wood is all part of the soothing ritual.
There's numerous wood burining fires to choose from on our website, but we've highlighted two below that each have a unique look.
