Wood-burning stoves, multi-fuel stoves, open fires and gas fires all need a flue, but do electric fires need a flue?
The answer is no, electric fires do not need a flue. The reason for that is very simple: nothing is being burnt inside an electric fire.
In a stove or open fire you will be burning logs or coal; gas fires and gas boilers both burn gas; and oil boilers burn oil. In every case, the gases and/or smoke created when the fuel is burnt need an escape route and the flow of air into the appliance and through the flue system is needed in order to allow the burning process to continue.
That is not the case in an electric fire. There is no real fuel (only decorative logs, coal and fuel bed) in use, no burning and no gases. The heat is generated at the press of a button.
What do electric fires need instead of a flue?
All electric fires need in order to operate is:
- Appropriate positioning of the air intake and output vents, so that they can function correctly. For example, in built-in electric fires for media walls the vents need to be front-facing.
- Enough space around the appliance to allow for air flow and ventilation in accordance with the manufacturer’s product manual.
- A regular socket into which you can plug the appliance.
The benefits of an electric fire
The absence of a flue is a reminder of some of the key benefits of having an electric fire in your home:
- Electric fires are very safe. They don’t have the intense heat of some appliances and they don’t pose the same risk of carbon monoxide fumes.
- Electric fires are very easy to install. They don’t need the construction work throughout the full height of the house that might be needed for some appliances.
- You pay for what you need with an electric fire. The heat starts immediately and stops when you turn the fire off. An appliance with a flue system may involve a lighting process and a gradual process of extinguishing or cooling down when your home reaches a suitable temperature.
Ready to buy an electric fire?
If after finding out that electric fires do not need a flue you are now ready to think about installing an electric fire in your home, feel free to explore our range of electric fires.
