How are electric fires these days?

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OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,434
Location
Derbyshire
Hey all.
I moved into my house earlier in the year and the fire does not work.
This is because it is not plumbed into the gas. I am 95% sure that as I have one of these silly flues built into the cavity wall, it was condemned and the gas pipe capped off.
A new gas fire would cost me a lot due to a new flue.

Today I went to J&R Hill in Meir (Stoke On Trent) and I was impressed with the electric fires they had. They look good and some have steam coming out which looks just like smoke. They really have come a long way over the last 20 years.

B&Q have an offer on at the moment, plus I get 10% off on top of that. But....I tend to find B&Q things that are at the cheaper end very crap.

Anyone had an electric fire recently?
What did you pay?
 
Parents have had a new one fitted recently and it looks good. Basically a fan heater and does the job. I've got a gas flame and it's ok but the heat doesn't really get projected out. I'd probably choose one over gas. But the a log burner would be first choice!

Not sure what they paid sorry. Don't get one of those tacky "modern" glass wall hanging ones though...
 
The difference is in the running costs.

Electric is around 14 pence per kw/h
Gas is around 4 pence per kw/h

so if you have an electric heater that uses 3kw/h thats like 42 pence a hour comparied to 12 pence an hour.

Its the hidden costs that people dont really think about when buying cheap electrical heaters at least imho.
 
Did some digging and bought one...

A gas fire would cost around £900 as I would need a new flue.
An electric fire would cost £100-400.

For me, I want a log burner. I cannot afford this, so spanking near £1000 on a gas fire is not happening when it isn't what I truly want.

From the shop I visited I loved the Dimplex flame effect fires.
I bought one from B&Q today and paid £216 as it was £299 with a 20% offer, plus a 10% off card that I have.

Slade2 said:
The difference is in the running costs.

Electric is around 14 pence per kw/h
Gas is around 4 pence per kw/h

so if you have an electric heater that uses 3kw/h thats like 42 pence a hour comparied to 12 pence an hour.

Its the hidden costs that people dont really think about when buying cheap electrical heaters at least imho.
Click to expand...

I pay 16p/kwh for electricity, not sure for gas, but I would not use the fire enough to warrant the initial purchase cost of the gas one, plus no annual service for the electric fire :).
 
Keep in mind a lot of opti-mysts range (the log burners etc) from Dimplex are not heaters, just expensive decoration/film prop, also, the smoke effect is water vapour from tank which you have to refill and clean.

I've been looking into exactly the same thing (heaters to replace my 1970ies fireplace front) and arrived at the conclusion it's all last century technology. The electric fire/heaters are just glorified resistance heaters, basically the cheaperst hair dryer with low speed fan setting, barely switchable between 1kW and 2kWh, no fancy options, no low energy settings at any price. The gas heaters as someone said, still comparatively offer no heating efficiency at all and despite wild claims from manufacturers didn't move on since 80ies. The last option is stove burner, and bizarrely, if you live in wooded area or have a supply local, remains the best and often the cheapest option with the most control over its long term efficiency.
 
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The only way to save money with electric is to go for storage. That way you take advantage of night rate electricity.
 
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