Sitting room fire ?

Have only just read this thread, but last year, when it was so cold, our central heating decuded to play up. We tried for ages to get an electric fire, but everyone else had the same idea. Eventually we bought a D...n fan heater. It cools as well, and so far have been pleased with it, although the central heating is now behaving!

Edit - should have said 'if you already have the fireplace and chimney'

If it's any help, I have friends who had an open fire for years but, being impressed with the heat given out by our multi fuel stove, bought one for themselves. They are very impressed with how much heat it gives out for the same amount of coal and logs. Perhaps that's something that you could consider - you already have the fireplace and chimney and, perhaps, the fuel to burn on it. Even with the legislation maybe changing there are many smokeless fuels on the market and it is perfectly possible to buy well seasoned, dry logs too.

I loved our gas "coal" fire but it was far too hot for our room..we could only keep it on for a short while...far too efficient I suppose! and we missed the glow when it was turned off so we eventually opted for an electric one which is very efficient AND a focal point with its lovely glow... I think that in itself makes us feel warmer!..

Thought this through about about 12 or so years ago. Decided on electric. Not aware of any difference re fuel charge. Replaced bulb once or twice. Flickering coal effect. Pleased as is cleaner. Got from well known diy store (B&......).

Is there a spark when you press the button? If not then probably that at fault. Can you smell gas if you turn it on? If not, jet may be blocked.Does your igniter require batteries? Replace and try out. Other than that gas engineer needed. I have an electric fire in one room but isn't really used for heating, only the red glow and flickering flame effect to make room appear cosy which it is with central heating.

We changed from gas to electric last year and are really pleased we did. It’s not used for heating very much as we have efficient central heating but it’s lovely to put the flame effect log fire on just for the warm look. Couldn’t do that with the gas fire without it putting out heat. No more yearly services either. A lot cleaner than the gas. The only drawback we have found is that you can hear the fan going when the heat is switched on but we quickly got used to it.

DS had gas fire removed and now has electric one. It warms the room quickly and stays on only until the radiators are hot, cleaner and more economical.

And it's evening not everything. I once had a secretary who changed my letters. We had to have a discussion about it! Off to have a strong word with my phone!

Tank not rank. I've corrected this several times on my phone but it thinks it knows better than me what I want to say!

When we bought our optimist fire (and surround) it came with a filter jug. We use it but aren't quite sure how much difference it makes!
The 'logs' lift off and the rank is underneath. It's not very big. In winter if the fire is on every day we top it up from the filter jug each morning and it lasts all day and everything. It's a really small thing to do. The 'flames' are adjustable.

We changed from gas fire to electric the engineer said it was as cheap to use central heating as the fire. The electric one has a flicker effect flame which uses a light bulb. For a quick boost it has a convector fan which heats room in 10 minutes until heating kicks in.

We rely completely on our gas-fired central heating and our home has no chimney or open fire.

For when our central heating doesn't work we have on stand-by a Fischer electric stove with a remote thermostatic control:

www.fischerfutureheat.com/electric-heaters/electric-stoves/

We first used it to heat our 5 by 3m conservatory when we hosted a dinner for all 14 members of our family and it worked very well.

Meanwhile we hope our gas supply will remain viable if only for our cooker hob.

I’m just looking online for an Opti myst electric fire and surround but I live in a very hard water area. Does anyone know if this will affect the fire ?
If they are as good as I’ve read maybe I should also get a water filter?

Kitty, for several years we had calor gas cookers, love them, but isn`t it annoying when the gas runs out in the middle of cooking a meal? Especially when you live 9 miles from the nearest supplier.
We love our gas fire. We married in 1963, but never lived in a house with mains gas until 1985.

BlueBell I like the instant heat from our gas fire, especially in arriving home in a chilly night.

Jane and Willow I will check out Optimist, when Willow mentioned it I wasn't sure about having to fill with water but maybe as Jane says it is not such a chore.
I would need reminding!


Yes DH mentioned this a few days ago M0nica.
I wondered at the time if the new houses would be built with solar panels and solar powered heating.

By the time my little grandchildren are old to drive I expect that all their cars will all be electric.

Did I see a news item this week saying that the government is to set a date for when no new houses will be connected to the gas grid? Gas is going to be come yesterday's fuel. Better buy an electric fire.

Optimist for us too. It looks lovely and the cat loves to lie in front of it. I don't mind filling the tank.
We have extra eco friendly electric radiators throughout the flat. We were sorry there was no gas in our block but don't regret it at all. Our insulation is awful so we have thick fleece lined curtains. This all seems to work and we're never chilly.

I don’t have any central heating in my three storey house so rely souly on my two gas fires in the two main downstairs rooms and I find them flipping wonderful They throw lovely heat out One is quite old but still going strong the main one is about 2 years old and not high end but suits me fine it throws out great heat considering I have the Victorian high ceilings I think I feel warmer ‘seeing’ the fire burning

Lemon now you mention it I remember getting dry eyes when I visited my MIL.

Willow A timer and remote control would be useful.
I have been looking on t'internet at electric fires, I thought I spotted one that actually looks very similar to our gas fire, however although there are a number of 4 to 5 star reviews, one reviewer said that the fire was quite noisey.
This was not something I had considered.

At the moment I think I am still leaning towards gas.

Oh we have been through this recently. We have renovated a small bungalow and the gas fire in there was the original one from the 80s - as I'd managed to get the surround looking better we hoped to be able to use the fire but it failed the spillage test so we opted for an electric one. It's an optimist one which produces 'smoke' from water vapour - looks lovely and does give out good heat if necessary. The downside is the water tank needs filling every 8 hours.

Here at home we have a large room - changed from gas to electric some years ago and I definitely missed the warmth from the gas fire. We've just replaced that with one I bought online which is a sort of suite with logs in it. It is a big improvement and as I accidentally set it on the timer one night I know it throws out a lot of heat as it was on when I got up the next morning!!

Given the choice I'd have gas but the modern electric ones are better than they were.

We only have a log fire, (now and then as central heating is good) but friends of ours have a lovely looking and realistic electric fire, which they say is very economic, but I find it makes the atmosphere very dry when we stay there.

Thank you both?
Yes that's interesting advice ninathenana especially from a gas engineer.

DH did say a battery operated fire is probably be the better option if we had a new gasfire.

My father had a remote control gas fire but we had a lot of problems with it, maybe just bad luck but it is still a concern.

Kitty Not sure how to light the fire with your gas thingy.
I dont think any gas is getting through when the knob is held down
But engineer hopefully be calling in this week so will ask if it is an option if igniter cant be fixed.

Thanks nina!!

As kitty says maybe buy a battery operated gas igniter that's what we've been using as the auto ignite hasn't worked for a while.