Are you looking to buy a fireplace? But find yourself asking, are fireplaces expensive to use? Read our blog to find all the information you need about costs and energy efficiency no matter the type of fireplace you are planning on buying!
What type of fire is the cheapest? Electric or gas?
An electric fireplace is less expensive than running a gas or wood fireplace and will heat your space faster than other options. This is mainly down to the fact they have a higher efficiency, meaning from the energy supplied they convert the most into heat. Therefore, when it comes to price they are the cheapest as they require less electricity to achieve the same output.
However, the cost of gas is cheaper than the cost of electricity therefore if you are only going to use the fireplace sparingly it could be cheaper to go for a gas fireplace.
Looking for fireplaces in Peterborough? Look at our brochures for some inspiration.
How energy efficient are they?
When it comes to efficiency an electric fireplace is ideal, they convert almost 100% of the energy supplied to the unit to make heat which will then stay in the room to keep you warm. A gas fireplace usually is advertised to have an efficiency between 70-80%, this means that you aren’t getting the maximum output for the money you are putting in.
Another reason they are more efficient is due to the fact that you can control the level of heat precisely. This means you can better control how much you are spending when using an electric fire in comparison to other fuel types.
How to reduce the energy costs of an electric fireplace?
To reduce costs when using an electric fireplace you should:
Insulate:
Although this will have an expensive upfront cost, a well-insulated room requires much less energy to heat, therefore in the long term you will benefit as the heat provided will not be escaping. This means the fireplace will have to heat the room less frequently, saving on the amount of energy required.
Turning off at the mains:
Turning off the mains is another great way to save money when using an electric fireplace, but you should consider the features of your fireplace. When turning off at the mains you will lose out on the other features such as lighting, effects and sound. But turning off these features is another way to reduce energy usage as less of it will be going to these features meaning more is being converted into heat.
Look to see if there are ‘low-power’ modes:
Many modern fireplaces have an economy or low-power feature allowing you to save more yet still offering a good level of heat output.
Don’t set times to preheat the room:
Having the room preheated is an easy way to spend more than intended when using an electric fireplace as this can often lead to the room being heated and nobody being in there. We recommend that you only turn it on when you are in the room, and you’ll be surprised how quickly the room will heat up.
How much does a fireplace cost to run?
For the different types of fireplaces, there are different running costs, as well as there being different factors affecting how much they will cost.
Electric
Electric fireplaces are the cheapest on the list, due to them having the highest efficiency. The factors you need to consider are the wattage of the fireplace, how much you are paying for electricity and what you are using the fireplace for. The latter of which concerns whether you are just using the fireplace for a pleasing aesthetic or to heat the house, this is because you should look into the setting to make sure you are only using electricity for what is necessary.
Gas
As gas fireplaces are not as efficient they do cost slightly more to run. Factors such as home insulation, thermostat temperature, efficiency and electricity prices also affect how much these will cost on a day-to-day basis. We sell a wide range of gas fires in Peterborough, meaning we’ve got you covered no matter the style!
Fireplace Running Cost Calculator:
You can calculate your running costs for a gas or electric following these steps:
1. Find the heat input of your fireplace
This can be found in the product description and will be in kWs. For electric fireplaces, this will be the same as the output as they are 100% efficient.
2. Your estimated usage time in hours
You can begin with this being 1 hour and then you’ll have a baseline of how much you’re spending per hour.
3. The cost of your energy in pence per kilowatt
This is the same for both gas and electric, this information will be available on your latest energy bill (this does not include your daily standing charge – just your unit price).
If you don’t have access to this information, the UK average in 2018 was 14.37p/kWh for electricity and 3.8p/kWh for gas.
4. The calculation
Multiply the energy input by the amount of time being used. This gives us the kWh.
Now multiply the kWh by the cost of your energy per kilowatt, in pence.
The last thing to do is to divide by 100 to have the amount in pounds!
Looking for a fireplace in the Peterborough area? Visit our showroom to find out more!
To find out more about the different types of fireplaces we can offer you here at Aspect Fires click here.
If you have any questions, get in touch with us at info@aspectfires.co.uk or give us a call 01733 202220!