Ethanol fireplaces are growing in popularity because they burn bio-ethanol, a product that does not produce smoke, therefore there is no need for a chimney flue, in fact there is no need for a chimney. The European countries have embraced ethanol fireplaces but the attractive ethanol fireplaces that are now on the market have found a way to be appreciated around the world. Most of these fireplaces do not occupy a lot of space, they can be installed on a wall easily or place on the floor wherever we want it, there are even table models that can be moved from room to room as the need arises.
There is no more the necessity to cut and store wood. A normal size fireplace can warm up a room of a little over 530 square feet. And when we consider design, if you love modern or contemporary design, you will undoubtedly find something you will love.
Bio-ethanol fireplaces are extremely esthetic by design and yet they offer all the advantages of an old fashion fireplace. The majority of the designs you will find are very modern but you are not limited to having a style that does not fit in your home. If in fact you want a rustic or a traditional fireplace that burns ethanol it is possible to buy one.
Some of the advantages are:
- You will never see black marks on your walls.
- There is no smell.
- They are easy to install, and can be installed anywhere you want.
How does it work?
This type of fireplace work by burning bio-ethanol which is a form of alcohol obtained by fermentation of the sugars or starches contained in corn, sugar cane, wheat or other similar vegetable products. When ethanol burns only a little water vapor is produced, therefore this type of fireplace does not generate any ashes, dust, or soot. Cleaning is kept to a minimum. Since there is no smoke and no soot, a flue is not needed, and this simplifies the installation process as a new difficult and expensive chimney exhaust is not necessary. You do not have to pay for installation of this type of fireplace.
The power of an average ethanol fireplace can be around 3500 watts, which corresponds to the power of 3 electric heaters. One word of caution on the power, you must verify the power of the model that you are buying as it can vary greatly by size and by manufacturers.
What are the possible dangers?
There is a flame and with anything that produces a flame there is a danger of fire and burns. Manufacturers have gone to great lengths to ensure safety, in the areas of tank refilling design, tank closing systems when the flame is burning, so that someone could not open the fuel tank and accidentally create an uncontrollable fire. You also have the ability to shut down the whole system if you are leaving for a while.
You should also note that the outside of the fireplace does not become hot to the touch, a great feature if there are children in the house.
What do they cost?
Ethanol fireplaces are not inexpensive and can cost from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousands depending on size, design and manufacturers. The cost of operation is still a little higher than the cost of conventional fireplaces but has come down as ethanol production is increasing and becoming more common. You can order your fuel from the internet and you will find that sites like Amazon and Ebay have ample supplies at affordable prices.
In the cost of operating fireplaces you must also includes maintenance costs like chimney sweeps that normally are paid to professional once a year. This cost is eliminated if you use ethanol since there is no flue to clean. Many homes with conventional fireplaces will also have cost of cleaning carpets and walls for smoke odors, these costs are not part of burning ethanol. You must also factor in the rising price of other fuels like electricity or natural gas if you are considering a new ventless fireplace. When all is taken into consideration, bio-ethanol fireplaces are looking very competitive. According to the Illinois Business Journal,from 2001-2006, the number of ethanol plants in the United States grew from 56 to 119, according to the Renewable Fuels Association; in addition there are 15 ethanol refineries in the US, and as these production centers increase in production and as more refineries are added costs will follow the market and come down.
For the time being, in the United States, and in some other countries there is still a government tax credit for purchasing ethanol fireplaces.
