Fireplaces and Gas Fires for homes without a chimney or flue.

June 23, 2009 - PRLog -- Once upon a time, an open fire was as much a necessity as a treat, providing not only easy access down the chimney for Santa on his yearly visit, but much-needed warmth to a chilly home too. The fireplace has transcended its original purely functional role as a heat provider to reach its present position as the focal point in many interior design projects. With innovative and regular features in lifestyle TV programmes and magazines, the fireplace has become an aspirational furniture purchase designed to enhance any home.

Many new homes are being built without a chimney or flue and this often causes concern as to what options are available. There´s a whole host of sexy fires and stoves to choose from - even if you don't have a chimney or flue! Whether your looking for a complete fireplace to combine with a gas fire or a modern, wall mounted gas fire designed to be installed on it's home, this buyers guide is here to help you.

Balanced Flue Gas Fires
Either inset or outset style, Balanced Flue gas fires are glass fronted. They vent directly outside through a horizontal co-axial pipe (one pipe within a larger pipe). The outer pipe draws air in from the outside and the inner pipe expels combustion gases. An electricity supply is not required for these products. Inset style fires can be combined with a choice of fireplaces such as marble or stone. Stone effect fireplaces are not recommended to be installed with Balanced Flue gas fires due to the amount of heat produced. Wall mounted balanced flue fires are extremely popular as they are designed to be raised up on the wall and do not require a hearth which is handy for smaller rooms, (See the Verine Marcello offered at www.hotprice.co.uk)

Power Flue Gas Fires / Fanned Flue Gas Fires
Powerflue Gas Fires expel the flue gases directly outside the building through the use of an electronically driven fan unit mounted on the external wall. A sophisticated microprocessor monitors performance and automatically shuts off the fire in the unlikely event of operation failure. The fan eliminates the need of a glass front. Available on both inset and outset gas fires the Powerflue feature requires an electricity supply. This style of fire can also be combined with a fireplace of your choice.

Flueless Gas Fires or Catalytic Gas Fires
A relatively recent innovation, Flueless fires don´t require a chimney as they use a catalytic converter to remove fumes. Flueless fires are an expanding market. The great thing is that none of the heat is lost up a chimney, so they´re 100 per cent energy efficient, and they only use 25 per cent of the gas consumed by other decorative models. Flueless fires require a minimum room size and additional ventilation into the room.

Electric Fires
Electric fires have really moved on in recent years. They are now great value for money and have all the benefits of a decorative gas fire. They´re also a great way to incorporate a fire into a room without a flue and are really easy to install. A world away from old-fashioned bar models, modern electric fires look good, but heat output can be limited.

Whichever fire you decide, be sure to visit www.hotprice.co.uk . As the UK's Premier online fireplace showroom, HotPrice offer all types of fires and fireplaces from leading manufacturers at massively reduced prices.

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Hotprice.co.uk is a online fireplaces showroom offering a vast range of gas fires, electric fires and wood burning stoves at discounted prices.