Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed below are some common questions often asked when considering your purchase of a new gas fire.

Whether your query is in relation to our 100% Efficient Gas Fires, our Conventionally Flued Gas Fires, or our Electric fires we have all the answers you will need.

If you cannot find the information that you are after, then please call our dedicated sales team on 01202 588638 where they will be able to answer any query you may have.

Q. Are they safe? For complete safety and piece of mind all of our fires incorporate an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS), which detect when the oxygen levels in the room fall below a specified level and cause the pilot flame to lift away from the sensing probe. This activates the Flame Supervision Device (FSD), which cuts off the gas supply to the fire and renders the appliance safe. For additional safety, all of our flueless fires are fitted with a catalytic converter system to ensure excellent levels of air quality. Q. Can I have a 100% efficient gas fire? Firecraft flueless fires are the perfect flat wall, no chimney solution to instant warmth that simply hangs on the wall. Our innovative technology provides a flexible design for your house or apartment, allowing you to install a fire not only in the living room, but also dining room, office, study, and kitchen.* If you have a natural gas supply** and can run a standard 8mm gas pipe to the fire installation point, while ensuring you have the minimum room size and adequate ventilation you can benefit from this technology. *Flueless fires are not permitted in the bathroom, and currently not yet allowed in the bedroom. **Designed for natural gas only. However, we are currently developing our range of fires to work on LPG. How does this work? Flueless fires incorporate the latest in gas fire technology and do not need a chimney or flue to operate. Instead, the combustion gases pass through a catalytic converter system, positioned at the top of the appliance, which converts carbon monoxide into harmless carbon dioxide and water vapour, levels of which are so low they are typically present in fresh air. In fact, the catalytic converter works so effectively that it can actually help to clean the air by neutralising airborne particles and odours, therefore helping to reduce household allergies. Q. Eco friendly – reducing the Greenhouse Effect We all have our part to play in making our homes more environmentally friendly and flueless technology has been awarded five stars for eco value for money, by leading eco-consultant Donnachadh McCarthy. Article from the Sunday Times, 2006. If the 15 million flued gas fires in the UK were replaced by flueless fires, we would save 40,260,000,000 kW of gas every year which would in turn reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 7,649,400 tonnes every year.* *Calculation is based on the assumption of 4 hours a day for 5 months of the year. A flueless gas fire converts 100% of the gas to heat unlike open coal effect fires which convert as little as 10%. Typically running costs are less than 5 pence per hour on high, which is approximately a third of the running cost of a conventional gas fire. By choosing a flueless gas fire it is possible to make a real contribution towards reducing global warming and lower gas bills at the same time. Q. How does this work? Flueless fires incorporate the latest in gas fire technology and do not need a chimney or flue to operate. Instead, the combustion gases pass through a catalytic converter system, positioned at the top of the appliance, which converts carbon monoxide into harmless carbon dioxide and water vapour, levels of which are so low they are typically present in fresh air. In fact, the catalytic converter works so effectively that it can actually help to clean the air by neutralising airborne particles and odours, therefore helping to reduce household allergies. Q. How long does the catalytic converter last? Independent tests commissioned to establish the life expectancy of the catalytic converter have proved that even after 16,957 hours (approximately equivalent to 27 years and eight months of normal use)* the catalytic converter is as effective as when it is new. *Calculation is based on the assumption of 4 hours a day for 5 months of the year. Q. What about condensation? All of our flueless fires are designed to supplement central heating and should be used as a secondary heat source only. Therefore, the background ambient temperature of the room will prevent any moisture from condensing on colder surfaces such as single glazed windows. Q. What about installation and servicing? All gas fires must be installed by a CORGI Registered Engineer. Flueless fires are very popular with fitters as they are relatively simple to install and can be fitted in literally a fraction of the cost and time it takes to fit a conventional gas fire. We also provide a fitting template with every flueless fire that is used to help with installation and because flueless fires do not require the use of a chimney or flue for operation the servicing costs are considerably cheaper than conventional gas fires. Q. What ventilation is required? Most heating appliances need ventilation to maintain the correct level of oxygen in the room. All of our flueless appliances installed in the UK require only 100cm2 of additional purpose provided ventilation.* *For installation in the Republic of Ireland, two fixed openings are required with a minimum effective opening each of 60cm. Both ventilators should be fitted on the same wall, one at high level and one low level with a minimum vertical separation of 160cm.	Q. Are the fires easy to light and operate? All fires come with traditional rotary control, which incorporates a piezo spark ignition, and is fully variable between the preset High and Low settings. Selected appliances in the range are available with remote control. The remote control option enables control of the appliance from the comfort of your armchair, a feature especially beneficial to the elderly, disabled or infirm. Q. Do the appliances require an electrical supply? Rotary and remote controlled fires do not require a power supply to operate. The remotes use ultrasonic technology which is battery powered. Powaflue appliances require a mains supply to power the fan extraction unit. Q. What are the running costs of these appliances? The running costs of each appliance can be calculated quite simply using the following calculation: Running Cost = Energy Input (gross) x Your Gas Bill Tariff. Example: Energy Input (gross) 6.2kW x Gas Bill Tariff (gross) 2.4p/kWh = Running Cost 14.9p per hour. Your Gas Bill Tariff figure can be taken from a recent gas bill, or contact your gas provider for this information. Q. What is an oxygen depletion sensor and a flame supervision device? An Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) detects when oxygen levels in the room fall below a specified level and cause the pilot flame to lift away from the sensing probe. This activates the flame supervision device, which cuts off the gas supply to the fire and renders the appliance safe. Q. What safety features are incorporated into the appliances? All gas fires are fitted with an oxygen depletion sensor, and all fires have a flame supervision device, for complete safety and peace of mind. Certain appliances within the range have individual safety features detailed within this brochure. Q. What ventillation is required? No additional ventilation is required when installing most appliances in the range. Your CORGI installer will draw your attention to any requirements which may lead to installation of additional ventilation. The flueless appliances require additional, purpose provided ventilation of a minimum 100cm2. An openable window or louvre is also required in the room into which the appliance is installed. These fires must be installed by a CORGI registered fitter in accordance wtih the manufacturer's instructions.	Q. Are the fires easy to operate? We aim to design all of our fires to be easy to use and simple to operate. Our range of electric fires feature high-level switches that are purposely positioned with the elderly in mind. Q. Can the flame effect be used independently of heat? All electric appliances benefit by having the flame effect operational on its own for visual enhancement only. Q. What are the running costs of these appliances? The running costs of these appliances can be calulated quite simply using the following calculation: Running costs = Energy Input x Your Electricity Bill Tariff. Example based on electric fire set to 2.0kW heat setting with flame effect: Electric Energy Input 2.06kW x Your Electricity Bill Tariff 8.1p / kWH = Running Cost 16.7p per hour. Your Electricity Bill Tariff figure can be taken from a recent electricity bill, or contact your electricity provider for latest tariff. Q. What safety features are on the appliance? All electric fires are fitted with a thermal trip switch that monitors the temperature inside the appliance, and senses any change if it becomes covered or displaced for any reason. The trip switch will automatically switch off the heater, which then must be reset manually before it will operate further.