Electric Fire vs Gas Fire: Which Is Best for You?

What should your next fire be? It’s time to decide as we debate the benefits of electric fire vs gas fire.

When it comes to fitting a new fireplace in your home, the first step is to decide what type of fire best suits your needs.

Unless you’re opting for a wood-burning stove or open fire, your main decision is electric fire vs gas fire. Both options are simple to light and create a nice ambiance. We’ve outlined some aspects to consider when deciding if an electric or gas fire is best for you.

Electric fire vs gas fire considerations

Installation

Electric fire installations are as easy as you want them to be. They plug straight into a standard wall socket, ready to warm your room at the flip of a switch. If you want a more built-in look, there are plenty of options to suit your room. You can choose a recessed electric fire, build a media wall around your fire, or place it within a surround. All of this installation work can be DIY. Electric fires are highly customisable as they don’t require a chimney, flue or fuel line.

Gas fire installation requires more expertise. You’ll need a Gas Safe registered engineer to connect a gas line and perform safety checks once the fire is installed. Depending on where you’re placing the fire it may also involve some plastering and work to the surrounding area. Most gas fires also require a flue.

Cost efficiency

Electric fires save you money on installation and maintenance. In addition to the lower installation costs, they don’t require any annual safety checks. Electric fires have a higher cost per kWh than gas fires. But they make up for this by being 100% efficient. All the money you put in will directly translate into heat output.

The biggest cost of a gas fire is in the initial installation. There are many non-negotiable requirements when installing a gas fire. Cost factors to consider are:

• Removing an existing fire
• Hooking up a gas line
• Installing a flue
• Hiring a Gas Safe registered engineer

Once installed, gas fires are cost-effective to run. Sealed gas fires are very efficient and claim an efficiency of around 90%. However, other gas fireplaces have a lower efficiency of about 50-60%, so you won’t be getting all of the heat you’re paying for.

Environmental impact

Electric fireplaces are the more efficient option when it comes to converting energy into heat. They don’t release fumes or smoke into the atmosphere. Similar to any other big appliance in your home, electric fires require a lot of energy to run. The true environmental impact depends on your electricity supply. If your home (or your energy supplier) uses a renewable energy source, your electric fire will be completely environmentally friendly.

Gas fires burn non-renewable fossil fuels. They don’t produce any smoke, but still release some emissions into the air, like nitrogen dioxide, methane, and a small amount of carbon monoxide. They can’t be used in a way that is completely eco-friendly.

Heat output

Electric fires range from a heat output of 0.7kW to 2kW. An advantage of electric fireplaces is the control you have over the heat. Most electric fires come with multiple heat settings to allow you to customise just how much heat you want in the room. They are highly responsive and deliver heat as and when you want it. If your room is warm enough, you can turn an electric fire off instantly and keep the flame effect for ambiance.

Gas fires range from a heat output of 2kW to 5kW. They are hotter than electric fires and can cope with heating larger spaces. Many gas fires on the market allow you to regulate the heat they produce, some even with a remote.

Safety

Electric fires do not burn anything, do not produce real flames and do not release harmful emissions, making them a safer choice than other fires. However, like all appliances, you will need to take some safety measures with an electric fireplace. For example, they shouldn’t be plugged into an extension cable or a timer plug. They also require ventilation and must be installed a safe distances from combustible materials. Your electric fire manual will specify these things.

Gas fires should be professionally installed and checked annually. Carbon monoxide is the primary safety concern for gas fire owners, so they should be installed with a carbon monoxide detector. Gas fires are safer to switch on than lighting an open fireplace but not as easy as pressing a button on an electric fire.

Electric fire vs gas fire options

We offer several options to consider as you weigh up the electric fire vs gas fire options. Here are some examples for your consideration.

Electric fires

Ezee Glow Crescent Electric Stove 1.9KW

The Ezee Glow Crescent is a cost-effective electric fire boasting a beautiful contemporary stove design. It has two heat settings, thermostat heat control and an colour selection wheel for the flflame, fuel-bed and downlights.. The flame effect can be used independently of the 1.9kW heater. Take a closer look.

Ezee Glow Reflect White Electric Suite 36”

The Ezee Glow Reflect suite is perfect if you want a modern fire without a media wall. There’s no need for media wall installation with the Ezee Glow Reflect. It plugs right into the wall and comes with its own plinth and storage space. Its flame effects can be viewed from three sides and make the perfect centrepiece for a room. This electric suite is highly customisable, with 10 fuel bed colours, three flame colours, and a selection of fuel bed decorations. Take a closer look.

Ezee Glow 50” Celestial Built-In Media Wall Electric Fire

The Ezee Glow 50″ Celestial is a built-in appliance that is an ideal electric fire for media walls. It offers the versatility of a 1, 2 or 3-sided installation, three flame effect options and 12 fuel-bed colours. It’s perfect for creating a sophisticated, modern look without the expense of similar media wall fires. Take a closer look.

Gas fires

Arada Holborn 4.5 Black Gas Stove

The stylish Arada Holborn gas stove delivers a maximum heat output of 4.5kW. it is highly adjustable, giving you the option to create the heat output and flame height you want. The Holborn is easy to use and it comes with a child-proof remote control for added safety. Take a closer look.

Arada Ecoburn Plus Natural Gas stove

The Arada Ecoburn doesn’t require any electrical connection as it has a battery-powered ignition. Its heat output ranges from 2-5.2kW and can be adjusted to create the right level of warmth in your home. The stove body is covered by a lifetime guarantee. Take a closer look.

Still deciding: electric fire or gas fire?

Head to our website to see more options. You’ll find electric fires and gas fires to choose from.