Which gas fire do you need for your home?

Buying a Gas fire can be a daunting process, especially now that there is so many gas fires on the market! At fires2u we have complied a simple list of the gas fires that are currently being sold with a description of these gas fires so you can make sure you are purchasing the correct one.

Full Depth Gas Fire / Class 1 Flue

A Full depth gas fire (can be described as Class 1) is suitable for someone that has a brick chimney and is easily recognisable by the chimney stack with accompanying terracotta pot or gas terminal. If you have this type of flue in your home you can handle all gas fires (apart from gas fires designed for “no chimney” applications see below) from those with a deep fuel beds right through to shallower slimline styles.

Pre-Fabricated Flue / Class 2 Flue

Pre-fabricated flues (can be described as Class 2) are easily identifiable by a metal flue and terminal on the roof and a metal flue box behind the fire. Prefabricated flues usually offer a good depth (however we would recommend you check the depth you have, before you purchase a gas fire to make sure that it will definitely be suitable) therefore also allowing you to choose from many full depth gas fires and all slimline gas fires. Pre- fabricated flues are found either in older houses where the existing Chimney has been lined by a steel flue or in newer properties with a steel flue built in and is recognised by a metal flue and terminal on the roof.

Slimline Gas Fire/ Pre-Cast Flue / Class 2 Flue

Pre-cast flues can be identified by a ridge vent or metal flue tube and terminal on the roof. Constructed from concrete or clay blocks they form a rectangular section flue. If you have this type of flue you need to look for gas fire that is called Slimline there is a wide range of slimline gas fires on the market now. Pre-cast flues are found in most modern homes. The main issue when looking for a gas fire is Depth so make sure this is checked to make sure the gas fire is compatible for your home.

More and more properties do not have any of the above flues in the homes, if this applies to you then have a look at the below options you can go for if you don't want to go for an electric fire -

Powerflue Gas Fires

Powerflue fires use an electronically driven fan unit mounted on the external wall to expel the flue gases directly outside the building. A power flue is an open fronted gas fire which can be used where there is no chimney or flue available. Powerflue gas fires can come in both inset and outset gas fires models and requires an electricity supply.

Balanced Flue Gas Fires

Balanced Flue fires use a horizontal pipe to vent directly outside wall. An electricity supply is not required for Balanced Flue products and therefore is a glass fronted gas appliance. Balance flue gas fires are used in homes where there is no chimney or flue available and can either come as inset or outset gas fire model.

Flueless Gas fires

Flueless fires and appliances use a catalytic converter which converts all harmful gases to carbon dioxide (safe gas) and water vapour. Flueless gas fires can be installed into most rooms providing there is a gas supply excluding bedrooms and bathrooms however the room needs to meet minimum size and ventilation requirements (which is always stated within the information context next to these fires on fires2u.com website). These gas fires therefore do not require any chimney or flue or even an outside wall – they come in various styles from traditional to modern so they can look great any room they are fitted in!

At fires2u we always advise speak to a registered Gas safe fitter before you order any Gas fire, this guarantees that the gas fire you are thinking of purchasing will defiantly be suitable for your home. We can always email you the installation information of the product before you purchase the fire from us, email us on insallationinfo@fires2u.com and state the manufacture and name of the gas fire within the email.