Electric fires are generally very safe and are easy to install and operate, making them increasingly popular in British homes. They require very little maintenance and usually operate efficiently for many years without any problems; however, as with all electrical appliances, you should bear in mind the following safety tips when using your electric fire.

Only buy accredited models

Any new electric fire you purchase should have a European or British safety mark. It is unlikely that you will find a fire in any major retailer without this mark these days, but it is always worth checking. Ask your retailer if you can't see what you are looking for.

Check wiring regularly

If you haven't used your fire for a while or have moved into a home with an electric fire, conduct a check of the wiring and plug. There shouldn't be any signs of wear and tear on the wire, so look for fraying or any other damage. Check the plug and make sure there are no scorch marks around the plug socket.

Never overload sockets

Overloading plug sockets is all too common as we try to cram all our electrical appliances and accessories into a convenient place. If possible, always plug your electric fire into a wall socket rather than using an extension plug or adaptor. If the nearest plug socket to your fire is already in use, it might be a good idea to get an electrician to add another socket specifically for your fire. This is usually a fairly simple and inexpensive job and can make your life much easier in the long run!

Unplug your fire when not in use

As with all these tips, this goes for most electrical appliances. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines when you purchase a new appliance and follow their advice to help you save energy and minimise the risk of a fire.

Don't use timer plugs

Many modern electric fires have handy settings that enable you to programme your fire and have it come on when you want. These are perfectly safe to use and can make life much more comfortable and convenient, especially in very cold periods; however, you shouldn't use your fire in conjunction with a timer plug. These are not intended to be used with electric fires, so avoid them.

If you are thinking of purchasing an electric fire and need any advice, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to help.

With so many types of fireplace to choose from, you might be confused about the best option for your home. In many cases, it is simplest to stick with what you already have and replace your old fire with a similar type. If you have a gas fire and fancy a change, however, or are installing a fire in a room where there is not one already, here are some reasons why electric might be the way to go.

Huge choice of designs

There are literally thousands of electric fires available for you to choose from. Whether your tastes are classic and you favour traditional fireplaces or you want something contemporary to complement your modern decor, you will find your perfect match.

Easy installation

Electric fires are incredibly easy to install and many models simply need plugging in. You can be enjoying the warmth and ambience of your new fire in a matter of minutes! Electric fires do not require a chimney, making them perfect for smaller rooms or modern homes that were built without a working chimney. You often don't even need a fireplace, so you can locate your fire in the most convenient spot for you.

Simple to use

Electric fires are designed to be easy to use and most can be operated at the flick of a switch. Many newer models even come complete with a remote control so that you can adjust the temperature and display from anywhere in the room - you don't even need to leave the sofa! Fires with thermostats are also useful, as they sense the temperature of your room and keep your home at your ideal heating level. This helps to prevent energy waste and keeps you comfortable at all times.

They are energy efficient

When you buy any new fire, you should easily be able to find out the energy efficiency rating of your chosen model. Choosing a highly rated electric fire helps to cut out energy waste and reduces your bills at the same time; in addition, it is better for the environment. Most electric fires give you the option of having the living flame display on even when the fire is not giving out any heat, which means you can add a warm and welcoming feel to your room at negligible cost. With gas fires, it is necessary to turn the heat on to get the same attractive display.

Wooden fireplaces are incredibly popular at the moment, and for good reason. Wood, particularly oak, which is commonly used in fireplace surrounds, simply never goes out of style. It complements any decor, any colour scheme and any type of property. Whether you have a period home or a contemporary residence, wood is a timeless choice for a fire surround. The natural warmth and attractive appearance of wood work perfectly in all homes.

Rustic Wooden Fireplaces

If you favour a low-key, more rustic style, wood is the perfect choice for a fireplace. You might prefer something a little less polished in order to complement your natural and less formal style, so look for plain, chunky fireplaces without too much detail. If your ideal home style is rustic and laid-back, avoid anything with intricate carved detail or a high-sheen finish. Accessorise your wooden fireplace with a few large white pillar candles for a welcoming, cosy look.

Contemporary Wooden Fireplaces

If your property is a modern one, or at least has been renovated to look as such, you might want something fairly minimal with clean lines. If you have a carefully put together room and don't want your new fireplace to dominate its surroundings, opt for a compact and unobtrusive fireplace. Modern fireplaces look great with a few simple accessories - perhaps a silver picture frame or a sleek vase in a neutral colour.

Statement Wooden Fireplaces

If you like to make a statement with your fireplace - if you have a large room, for example, and want something to act as a focal point of your space - a wooden fireplace is a great way to do this. Wood is such a versatile material that it lends itself very well to all manner of styles. If you are looking for a statement fireplace, you might not feel that wood is dramatic enough. Of course, any large fireplace is going to act as a statement piece, but why not consider an intricate carved design? While these are not to everyone's taste, in large spacious rooms they can work incredibly well. Make sure they don't overpower the room, though, and be sure they will complement the rest of your decor. More intricate and detailed fireplaces don't tend to need much accessorising, as they already make a statement on their own, but a couple of plain picture frames or plants will do the job if you want to break up the fireplace a little.

High efficiency gas fires take advantage of the latest technological developments to deliver effective heating to your home with less energy wastage. Older gas fires are likely to be far less efficient than newer models, which is bad news for your bank balance and for the environment. Simply updating your gas fire can deliver instant savings on your gas bill and help you to heat your home for less.

Save money with a high efficiency gas fire

Simply replacing your older gas fire with a modern, energy-efficient model could help you to make big savings on your energy bills. While you will, of course, have to factor in the cost of your new fire, the reduced fuel costs over time will offset this initial outlay. High efficiency gas fires are particularly useful in homes in which you regularly want to heat just one room rather than heating the whole property with central heating.

Reduce fuel wastage

Many modern gas fires are up to 100 per cent efficient in their use of gas, meaning nothing is wasted. You might not consider that every time you use your older gas fire you are wasting gas, but this is precisely what happens in many cases. By replacing an outdated model, you can achieve the same level of heating with considerably less gas much of the time. Our high efficiency gas fires are all labelled as such, both in store and on our website, so you will be able to check the energy credentials of your chosen model before you buy.

Attractive, modern designs

Gas fires have come a long way in recent decades and you are sure to find a style, size and price point to suit you. Modern gas fires can be installed quickly and easily by a registered professional and can enhance the feel of any room. The right fire can be the focal point of your room, meaning it benefits its surroundings even when it is not in use. Whether you prefer traditional hearth-style fires or are drawn to more contemporary glass-fronted fires, you will find the right high efficiency gas fire for you in our vast collection.

If you would like to know more about our high efficiency gas fire range, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us via phone or email at any time or can pop into one of our North West showrooms to see our fires in action.

If you have invested in a wood burning stove, you probably love how low maintenance and efficient it is; however, even the most efficient stoves need a little TLC from time to time, and when better than at the end of a long, cold winter? Maintaining your stove is easy, but you need to do it fairly regularly if you want to keep your wood burner in top condition. Here are some simple tips to help you take care of your wood burning stove.

What you will need

You won't need all these items every time you inspect your stove but having them all to hand will save you time and effort when your stove needs a thorough spring clean. You should have a stiff brush, appropriate oil and a brush, stove glass cleaner, appropriate stove paint, an old towel or rag, steel wool, and heavy-duty stove cleaner.

Removing rust and dirt

If you don't have any rust, you can move on to the next step. To remove rust, simply rub it away with steel wool. Make sure you remove all rust and any loose paint or other debris before you paint your stove. Next, clean dirt from the stove using a brush or cloth and appropriate cleaner.

Cleaning the stove window

Sooty windows in a stove can be a sign that the stove is not working as efficiently as it could. Clean the window using a suitable stove glass cleaner and a cloth. Some cleaners will require you to leave them to work for a number of minutes before wiping away. Follow the instructions supplied with your particular product, wiping the cleaner away with a cloth when it is time.

Painting your stove

Stove paint is readily available and is a fantastic way to both protect your stove and give it a makeover. Your stove needs to be completely clean and dry - and, of course, cold - before you can paint it. Take your time painting and apply the paint in thin layers. One layer should be enough if you are simply doing a touch-up job.

Give your stove a health check

Your stove should be looking a lot better now, but it is still a good idea to check all the finer details. Check the seal is in good condition and that it is performing correctly. You can check the seal by lighting a small fire and closing the door and air intake supply. Hold a lit match outside the door and observe whether it flickers - if the flame is drawn towards the door, this indicates your seal needs replacing.

A well-chosen fireplace is the focal point of any room, so choosing a new fire surround is an important task. While the best option for you will depend on the age, style and size of your home, stone is a great choice in many cases. Whether you prefer striking granite or classic marble, adding a stone surround to your existing fireplace - or completely overhauling the whole thing - can be a worthwhile investment in your home.

Stone is a timeless option and complements a wide range of decor styles and colours. Here are just some of the benefits of opting for a stone fireplace surround in your home.

Durability

A stone fireplaces will last and last. Think of all those old stone fireplaces you have seen in stately homes or period properties - in many cases, a stone fireplace will last as long as the property it is installed in. A properly installed stone fireplace will remain looking good with very little maintenance other than occasional cleaning. There is no need to worry about scratches or chips in your fire surround, as stone can stand up to an awful lot of knocks and scrapes without signs of damage.

Appearance

A stone fireplace has a timeless appeal that will never date, providing you choose a classic design. If longevity is important to you, steer away from overly contemporary styles that will look out of date after a few years and stick with more subtle designs in neutral tones. While some modern granite surrounds are extremely attractive and eye-catching, they might not necessarily suit as wide a range of decor as more traditional designs.

Added value

A fireplace is often considered a permanent feature of a home, so splashing out on a high-quality and attractive stone surround that complements the overall style of your property could add value in the long run. As the focal point of your living room, an eye-catching fire could even sway undecided buyers and really make your property stand out from the crowd.

Retain heat

A stone fire surround can retain more heat from your lit fire than other types of surround. This means it can actually help to keep your room warmer for longer and will even continue to give off warmth after the fire has been turned off or extinguished. Your room will be gently warmed by the stone.

There are so many options when it comes to picking the perfect fireplace or fire for your home - so much so that the choice can seem bewildering. Here we consider what factors you need to bear in mind when creating the right look and ambiance in your living space.

While many of us are driven by aesthetic considerations when shopping for a fire, there is no reason you can’t combine pure good looks with excellent usability and efficiency - provided you are prepared to do a modicum of research.

If you have central heating in your property, you are likely to be looking for a secondary heat source that can be utilised for a swift dash of extra warmth during the colder months or a fire that will work well in tandem with underfloor heating, for example.

The first thing you need to decide is whether you want an open fire or one with a glass frontage. While open fires undoubtedly inject a real sense of cosiness into any room, they are not very fuel efficient, require decent ventilation, and can be quite smoky.

A wood burner will provide an impressive flame coupled with a high level of heat efficiency; alternatively, if you are looking for the atmosphere that a flame adds to an environment but do not want the hassle involved with burning wood or other fuels, a gas fire could be a great fit for you. There are lots of models that offer highly-realistic coal or log fuel beds and the benefit of being able to control the flame and heat to your exact specifications, often via remote control.

Designs can fall anywhere between the starkly contemporary and the very traditional; in addition, they can be built in or freestanding, depending on your needs.

One obvious plus point of wood burning stoves and gas fires is that they do not need mains electricity to work. This means that should you experience a power cut, you will still be able to keep at least one room in your home nice and warm.

If you are working on a large-scale home renovation or new-build project, you should try to make your decision about heating as soon as possible. Certain options may require a chimney or even an inglenook; therefore, settling on a heating scheme early on will leave you with the widest range of options from which to choose.

There are three main reasons for aiming to get your chimney swept regularly:

Health

Breathing in fumes from solid fuel or gas fires can damage your health; in the worst-case scenario, doing so could be fatal. Getting your chimney swept will help to ensure that the flue is clear enough to let any dangerous fumes make their way safely out of the chimney.

Fire risk

Chimney fires are a risk if you fail to keep your chimney maintained to a high standard, but committing to a once-yearly clean will dramatically reduce the risk of experiencing a chimney fire. A fire of this type can vary in severity, from damaging your chimney pot to your home burning down. While uncommon, severe fires do happen; however, they are easily avoided.

Smoke damage

Every time you use your fire, soot will inevitable accumulate in the chimney; over time, this will reduce the area of the flue, which will affect the draw and mean that you risk smoke entering the room. This can damage the fireplace and surround, and even the decor of the room, in addition to being an irritant to those breathing it in.

How often?

Many people want to know how often they should get their chimney swept. The answer to this question is generally dependent on how often the fire is used and what sort of fuel you use. If you only light your fire or use your wood burner occasionally, a once-yearly clean should suffice; however, if you rely on your fire more often, you should think about going for a biannual clean - once before the first fire of the autumn and then around half-way through the winter season.

Always check that your chimney sweep is properly registered and ensure that they provide you with the necessary paperwork once they have finished the inspection and sweep of your chimney. You should keep this in case of any queries or problems later down the line.

Do I need to get my chimney swept if I have a gas fire?

You will need to get any gas appliances in your home regularly serviced by a Gas Safe engineer, which should normally be on a yearly basis. A service on a gas fire will typically involve the engineer checking the chimney’s draw; if they are concerned, you will be advised to get your chimney swept.

After this year's scorching summer, the temperatures have now well and truly dropped and there is a definite feeling in the air that winter is on its way. Most parts of the country have enjoyed a fantastic few months of weather and the majority of us have not used our fireplaces or central heating since April. As the nights start to draw in and the leaves begin to fall from the trees, our thoughts turn to the winter ahead and it is time to make sure your fireplace is in good working order.

Here are a few tips to ensure your fire won't let you down when you most need it.

Electric fires

Electric fires are extremely low-maintenance and should operate for many years without any issues. Check yours - if it is still working effectively with no problems, you should be fine for the winter. Check the manufacturer's instruction booklet for cleaning advice and simply give it a good clean if you haven't done so for a while.

Gas fires

It is recommended that you have your gas fire serviced annually, which can extend the life of your fire in addition to checking that it is operating safely and efficiently. Gas engineers will be getting increasingly busy as winter gets closer - if your fire is due a service, get it booked in as soon as possible and be sure to only use Gas Safe-registered engineers. Different companies and engineers will offer different services, so check what you are getting before you commit if you are using a new provider.

Wood & Solid fuel burning stoves

You should have cleaned out your stove and given it a maintenance check after you last used it, so it should take minimal work to get it ready for the winter. If you have not had your chimney swept recently, get this service booked in now. Chimneys should generally be checked and swept at least once a year by an experienced professional. Never neglect this task - it is extremely important, as a blocked chimney can increase the risk of fire.

You should be able to conduct a basic stove maintenance check yourself and can refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for help. If you didn't thoroughly clean your stove at the end of last winter, do so now, using appropriate accessories and cleaning products. Be sure to check the seal around the stove's door and arrange for any damaged or worn parts to be replaced before you attempt to use the stove again.

With the Christmas approaching, many homeowners will be planning multiple of DIY and home improvement projects. For most of us, this will probably consist of a trip or two to our local furniture or DIY store followed by applying a few coats of paint and possibly assembling some flat-pack furniture; however, others will be planning bigger projects throughout the winter. If your to-do list includes any work relating to gas appliances, it is vital that you leave such jobs to registered professionals, with Gas Safe-registered engineers the only people you should entrust your gas appliances or gas supply to.

The Gas Safe Register

The Gas Safe Register was appointed by the UK's health and safety authorities to oversee gas safety throughout the country. Every gas engineer working in the UK must be on the register by law. When a business or an individual is registered by Gas Safe, they are granted a licence to undertake gas-related work in private and commercial properties. Even if you think you only need minor repairs to a gas appliance, or you are confident you know what you are doing, you should always consult a registered Gas Safe engineer rather than attempt to complete any jobs yourself. You could be putting yourself, your family and your property - not to mention any neighbouring properties and their occupants - in grave danger if you attempt any jobs you are not qualified to undertake.

Those on the Gas Safe Register are qualified to undertake a number of jobs you might require doing in your home, including installing new appliances, carrying out safety and performance checks on appliances, identifying and fixing gas leaks, finding and repairing faults, replacing broken parts, and providing advice about how you and your family can use gas safely and efficiently.

The Gas Safe Register has an up-to-date list of registered engineers in every part of the country and it is easy to find a suitable professional in your area by calling 0800 408 5500 or using the search facility on the organisation’s website (www.gassaferegister.co.uk/). When it comes to gas safety, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

If you have any questions about installing or removing one of our gas fires or other gas appliances, please do not hesitate to get in touch and our friendly, knowledgeable team will be happy to help.