Electric Fires

Choosing the Right Electric Fire

Electric fires provide the appearance and atmosphere of a fireplace without requiring a chimney, flue or gas supply. They can be fitted into an existing fireplace, installed against a flat wall or incorporated into a new chimney breast or media wall.

Most models allow the flame effect and heater to operate independently. You can therefore enjoy the flames throughout the year without producing heat. When additional warmth is required, built-in heaters commonly provide between 1.5kW and 2kW of supplementary heat.

Types of Electric Fire

Inset and Media Wall Electric Fires

Inset electric fires are fitted into a fireplace opening, false chimney breast or purpose-built enclosure. The collection ranges from compact fires for traditional fireplace openings to wide panoramic models with one, two or three glass sides.

Media wall electric fires are designed to create a contemporary focal point, often beneath a television. Available features include colour-changing flames, illuminated fuel beds, realistic logs, anti-reflective glass, crackling audio and remote or app control.

Bonfire can also design and install a complete bespoke media wall, including the fire, television position, ventilation, electrical access and finishing details.

Electric Fire Suites and Freestanding Models

Electric fireplace suites combine the fire with a coordinated surround or enclosure. Many can be fitted against a flat wall, making them a practical way to create a complete fireplace without constructing a chimney breast.

Freestanding electric fires offer greater flexibility and generally require less installation work. Alternatively, a hearth-mounted electric fire can be used within an existing fireplace while retaining the original surround and hearth.

Which Electric Fire Looks Most Realistic?

Realism depends on the flame technology, fuel bed and viewing distance. Features such as genuine logs, glowing embers, deep fuel beds, anti-reflective glass and varied flame movement can create a more convincing appearance.

LED flame effects remain popular because they are bright and economical to operate without heat. Other models use LCD screens, holographic imagery or illuminated water vapour to create greater depth and movement. Compare our LCD electric fires, smoke-effect fires and fires with crackling audio.

Flames can be difficult to judge from photographs. Visit our Reading showroom to see selected models working and compare their flame effects in person.

Electric Fire Sizes and Installation

Measure the available width, height and depth before choosing a fire. For an existing fireplace, check both the visible opening and the space behind it. When creating a new media wall or chimney breast, select the appliance first so the opening can be built to the manufacturer’s dimensions.

Check whether the chosen fire is designed for a front-facing, two-sided or three-sided installation. The enclosure dimensions and ventilation requirements may change when one or both side panels are exposed.

Bonfire provides a complete electric fire design and installation service across Berkshire and surrounding areas. We can help with the fire, fireplace, false chimney breast, media wall and finishing work as one coordinated project.

Electric Fire Running Costs

Running costs depend on the appliance’s heat output, your electricity tariff and how long the heater operates. Multiply the output in kilowatts by your electricity unit rate to estimate the maximum hourly heating cost. A thermostat may reduce consumption by switching the heater on and off as the room reaches the selected temperature.

The flame effect normally consumes considerably less electricity than the heater, although the exact figure varies by model. Current information about electricity unit rates and the energy price cap is available from Ofgem.

Buy Electric Fires from Bonfire

Bonfire has supplied fireplaces, stoves and fires since 2003. Shop online for UK delivery, visit our Reading showroom or contact our team for help planning a complete electric fireplace or media wall installation.