Wall-mounted gas fires

What types of wall-mounted gas fires are there?

The main feature of a wall-mounted gas fire is that it stands proud from the wall, with 3 out of 4 sides of the appliance visible.

So it is normal for wall-mounted gas fire to have a 3-sided fire display, which casts a warm glow all around the living room.

Some wall-mounted gas fires, such as the DRU Diablo Next, are stand-alone appliances that require no ancillary decoration. The fire is visible inside an attractive glass case for all to see.

Other wall-mounted gas fires, such as the DRU Scenic and Lugo have to be combined with a floating hearth below the fire and a false chimneybreast above it. This still retains the 3-sided, panoramic view of the fire, but hold it together in an elegant, contemporary fireplace arrangement, with strong visual appeal.

Can I install a wall mounted gas fire if I have no chimney?

A wall mounted gas fire, or suspended gas fire, is one in which the entire appliance is housed in a single enclosure, which is mounted directly on to an outside facing wall.

The flue, which is connected to the top of the fires, is inserted through the wall at least one metre above the fire in order to ensure the most efficient performance and the highest, most natural flame picture.

The flue can be left exposed, inserted into a decorative flue cover or concealed behind pipe boxing using a heat resistant board material.

I already have an existing chimney. Is it still possible to install a wall-mounted gas fire?

If a wall mounted gas fire is being installed on to a brick chimney, firstly the installer must seal up and plaster over the chimney opening. The fire is then mounted on the chimneybreast at the required height, with the flue inserted into the brickwork in order to draw air for combustion from the chimney cavity.

As with a wall-mounted installation, the flue can be left exposed, inserted into a decorative flue cover or concealed behind pipe boxing using a heat resistant board material.

How do you connect the gas supply to a wall-mounted gas fire?

If you are mounting the fire on to a brick chimneybreast, the easiest way is to take a feed from the domestic gas supply and insert the pipe into the side of the chimneybreast, so that it can be connected unobtrusively to the back of the fire engine.

If the fire is being mounted directly on to a flat wall, the gas supply can be run around the skirting board and up the wall to connect underneath the fire.

Alternatively, it may be possible to feed the gas supply around the outside of the house and back through the wall at the point where the fire is being installed. In this case the gas pipe will be completely invisible, so there is no need for boxing-in or using other ways to conceal the pipework.

Either way, all work of this kind must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered installer, under the direction of your DRU gas fire dealer.

What kind of flue is required for a wall-mounted gas fire?

All wall-mounted gas fires are balanced flue (or closed combustion) appliances. This means that, instead of using the draught from a chimney, they draw air from outside the building for combustion through a concentric flue.

The flue is located from the top of the fire and inserted through the wall at least one metre above the fire to ensure the most efficient operation and a strong flame effect.

The inner pipe draws air into the fire chamber using natural convection, whilst the outer pipe is used to expel waste gases into the atmosphere following combustion.

Using this type of flue ensures high, natural flames, comfortable heating and high energy efficiency.

Are wall-mounted gas fires any more energy efficient than built-in gas fires?

Most balanced flue gas fires have energy efficiency ratings from 75 to 85%.

Although wall-mounted gas fires are no more or less efficient than built-in gas fires, they are easier and cheaper to install. Therefore, the cost savings are at the point of purchase and installation, rather than the ongoing running costs.