Renewable Home Heating with a Bioethanol Fireplace
While we may be amid a scorching hot summer, it won’t be long before the autumn chills start setting in.
Energy prices have soared as high as the mercury, and now is an excellent time to start planning for efficient home improvements to make the winter months more comfortable (and affordable).
Bioethanol fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular, as a low-cost, eco-friendly and stylish alternative to conventionally fuelled heating systems, without an artificial flame.
Bioethanol Fireplaces Explained
If you’ve not heard of bioethanol before, this fuel source works just like logs or gas, creating real heat powered by an ethanol-based liquid. The fuel is entirely natural and is made from sugar cane and maize plants as a greener option to heat your home without relying on fossil fuels.
One of the big plus points is that a bioethanol fireplace is a sustainable home feature but is also straightforward to use.Simply pour the fuel onto the burner. Once lit, the fuel will keep burning for around four to five hours, or you can close the lid on the burner to extinguish the flame.
Homeowners can keep a toasty warm fire burning all day long, without excessive expense, by topping up the fuel periodically and waiting for the burner to cool each time.
The Benefits of a Bioethanol Fire
There are several compelling advantages to replacing an old gas or electric fire with a sleek bioethanol unit, not least that the ethical fuel source is plant-based and releases no harmful substances or gases into the air. Millions of people are striving for carbon-neutral living, and trying to offset the planetary damage caused by fossil fuels, so a bioethanol fire is a perfect place to start.
The benefits aren’t limited to green credentials, either:
- Cost-effective: the bioethanol fuel is considerably more affordable than gas or electricity, which provides a cost-saving, ensuring that a new fireplace pays for itself in very little time.
- Quick installation: the installation is efficient and fast because your new fireplace does not need to be linked to mains gas or electricity supplies. This clean fuel does not even require a flue since there is no smoke or fumes.
- Versatility: Pinnacle Works fits bioethanol fireplaces in a huge range of properties, including modern, minimalistic apartments and period homes. There are countless placement options since you can fit a fireplace in any room, rather than solely where you have access to a chimney or flue.
- Stylish: modern, ethical fireplaces come in countless designs, with contemporary finishes for a stunning interior aesthetic.
- Minimal Space: a new fire can slot underneath a media centre or be positioned in any discreet or focal point, with low-profile fireplace options for smaller living spaces.
- Low Maintenance: bioethanol fireplaces can heat small or large spaces quickly, with an adjustable output. There is very little in the way of maintenance since the unit operates independently.
Comparable Costs of Heating a Home With a Bioethanol Fireplace
Many clients contact our design team with queries about affordability and ongoing costs, but bioethanol fires are very economical, from initial installation to upkeep. Running costs can vary because various fuel types are available, and you might opt to have a fire burning all day during very cold weather or just for a few hours in the evening.
The average fuel cost is around £2.50 a litre, which allows the fire to burn for approximately 3.5 hours at full heat output.If you choose an adjustable fireplace, you can partially close the box slider to reduce the heat and make the same quantity of fuel last for several hours more.
Good quality bioethanol fuels are available in bulk and can cost a fraction of the average residential utility charges to operate a gas or electric fireplace.
It’s worth playing around with the settings to experiment with your fuel, as you can adapt your bioethanol fireplace to your requirements. Larger spaces may require more heat, but putting the fire on the lowest setting will extend the use of just one litre of fuel for up to eight hours.
The beauty is that you don’t lose fuel if you turn off the fire without depleting the liquid. Rather, the fireplace stores the fuel source safely and will begin to use it the next time you ignite the fire.
Bioethanol Fireplace Safety
Indoor fuels for bioethanol fireplaces are safe even in enclosed spaces and are much better suited to families with young children and homeowners who require good air quality.
One of the issues with traditional log fires is that the smoke and ash can be abrasive and even cause breathing difficulties if any proportion of the smoke isn’t removed through a flue or chimney. Bioethanol fuels are specifically designed for internal use, and the carbon dioxide produced is minimal. There are no carcinogens to worry about, so a bioethanol fire is an outstanding choice for homes without great ventilation.
Of course, we always recommend taking a few basic precautions when handling any flammable substance, and even the safest bioethanol fuel should be stored away from children and pets.
Provided you follow the instructions on the fuel and fill the fire correctly (without overspill), a bioethanol fire is one of the safest modern ways to heat a home.
Switching to a Bioethanol Fireplace
Bioethanol fires have a range of benefits and produce a real burning flame for authentic heat, without artificial flames, emissions or smoke.
Please contact the team at Pinnacle Works if you would like any further information, or wish to explore the opportunities to replace your old fireplace with a sleek bioethanol alternative. Our skilled tradespeople will be delighted to work on your design project and create a unique fireplace that matches your required aesthetic.
With unbeatable air quality and economic and environmental features, this advanced fire system is a fantastic way to upgrade your heating.