flueless gas fire

[janela]

Does anyone know anything about flueless gas fires. I am thinking of getting one but have been told that you need to have some ventilation put in. The room we plan to put it does not go to the outside as there is a conservatory alongside it, would this be a problem. I have also heard conflicting information about the catalyser, that it lasts indefinitely, or that it has to be replaced annually. Any links out there to any evidence about them

[Gizmonster]

This link explains that the room does need to be ventilated:

http://www.fireplacemegastore.co.uk/flue.asp

.... and this link informs you that (apparently) "Tests have shown that the Catalytic converter is just as effective after 16,957 hours use as it is when new. That's the equivalent of over 27 years of use."

http://www.ogormans.co.uk/smeg_gas_fires.htm

[gucciman]

the reason for the ventilation is that even though the fire is not producing carbon monoxide it is releasing carbon dioxide into the room which will displace the oxygen resulting in an unhealthy air mixture, so you need ventilation to ensure a good supply of oxygen both for the fire to combust and for the occupants.
we are not particulary keen on flueless gasfires to be honest as the idea of pumping products of combustion into a room goes against all principles, that said we have fitted some but we insist that the householder agrees to have a carbon monoxide detector fitted. and as far as i know british gas wont touch flueless gas fires at all so they obviously don't like them.
i recently went to a corgi technical meeting on flueless gas fires and they were saying they shouldn't be fitted in bedrooms yet when you see the adverts for them on telly they always show a nice large flueless gas fire blazing away next to the bed!
ive found so far that the flueless gas fires are quite low powered so that the catalyst can cope with the combustion products and therefore they dont seem to kick out much heat.
the fires are meant to have safety sensors to detect if the catalyst is not working correctly and shut the fire down but you never know do you so hence the carbon monoxide detector.

[the-gas-man]

as per your previous answers i would only ever fit one as a last resort.we have sold off the ones in our showroom such is my dislike of them.granted 100 % efficient but then you have to put a 100 cm air vent in to stabalise the massive co2 output.they smell,discolour the wall above them,i'd go for a 2kw electric fire given the choice..

[gasman]

totally agree with the last two posts. I would not touch them with a bardge pole just likebritish gas I do not touch them.

[deniol]

There are loads of Catalytic Flueless gas fires available from Fireplace Megastore They have all the information on each product for you to view and print for your gas fitter.

Catalytic fires are not as being described here, I feel the fitters that have placed messages above are 'Old School'. We deal with several catalytic providers and have never had a problem, as to the 'low output' theres catalytics available which have a higher than average (chimney version fires) outputs, but at the same time are 100% efficient, so all gas in is turned to heat, saving money and the environment! I've read several reports that catalytic are what the government is to be advising soon, with the reduced supply of Natural Gas and increasing concerns regarding CO2 footprints. As I pointed out we have never heard of a problem with a catalytic fire they have several 'back up' methods to make certain they are functioning, while a CO (Carbon monoxide) detector is advisable to be used with them it is just as advisable to use one with a standard gas fire(there being less sensors in them to provide saftey!) The airvent is not only to provide a standard input to level out the co2 in the atsmosphere with that of the room, but also to allow moisture to leave the room as catalytics burn a natural flame (Along with all other gas fires) the result is water is produced as a byproduct of combustion (GCSE Chemistry). Several studies have shown that we humans can get very uncomfotable after a certan level of humidity in the are (Due to exchanges in the lungs of oxygen being surpressed by oxgen and Water storing heat so meaning its warmer and 'wetter' air) The air vent controls this as 100cm2 is perfectly large enought o allow the exchange back to a proper lever. The saving to both the environment and your pocket clearly outweigh the traditional fires.

[modernworld]

There are also some great flueless fires at www.gomodern.co.uk They use bio ethanol so dont have any smell or soot & the ones from Ecosmart throw out a tremendous amount of 'real fire' heat (as opposed to central heating heat!)
They dont require a huge amount of ventilation, as long as the room is not too tiny they are fine.
Not cheap but they can be installed nearly anywhere, so perfect for DIYers & people getting new rooms etc built as well.
They also have some designer wall hung & freestanding flueless fires that look fabulous but aren't as powerful as the Ecosmart ones - which really are the perfect modern open fire!