subject: Bio Fuel Fireplaces: Alternatives To Wood [print this page] You could say that a fireplace that burns logs or coal is the ultimate in bio fuels; after all it was really the original. Certainly as far as sustainability is concerned, if forests are managed properly they produce a constant supply of logs because new trees are planted.
Unfortunately, burning logs and coal isn't very environmentally friendly; indeed it is the opposite and is partly responsible for the global warming and pollution that everyone knows about.
As far a burning logs or coal in a fireplace, aesthetically it looks great; some say you just can't best it, especially of a cold bleak winter's night. However, they are inefficient, smelly and very dirty. To start, practically all the heat produced by a log or coal fire goes straight up the chimney and out into the air. Secondly, the emissions from burning the logs or coal are highly toxic and thirdly they take a lot of cleaning and also produce soot which does escape from the fire into the room.
To some extent gas fires have taken over from real fires and with the introduction of flueless gas fires, they are substantially more efficient than ever before. Gas fires that require a flue or chimney produce a lot of dangerous chemical emissions; they also waste a lot of energy as plenty of the heat goes out the flue or chimney.
So what are the alternatives? Gel and bio-ethanol fires are increasing in popularity. The bio-fuel used is produced from plant-derived ethanol which is obtained through fermentation of saccharine and is produced from sustainable and renewable produce. Gel fuel is isopropyl alcohol in gel form and is non-toxic. However, let's be clear, both fuels may be environmentally friendly, but they are not so friendly on the bank balance at the current time (although this may change in the future).
These two alternatives undoubtedly don't pollute the air inside or outside your home and are completely non-toxic and produce zero fumes, smoke and ash. Additionally, as there is no need for a flue or a chimney 100 percent of the heat is directed into your room.
Gel or bio-ethanol fires can be located almost anywhere in your home, even a bedroom; there are plenty of designs to choose from such as a freestanding version which is centrally placed in a coffee table. Others fit inside existing fireplaces, or you can have them wall mounted. However, not only is the fuel fairly expensive, so is the fireplace itself, which does detract from getting them.
Another point to remember is that the fuel canisters don't last too long; indeed the average time for a gel fuel canister to last is three hours, which may just get you through an evening in front of the television providing you don't stay up and watch the late night movie.
Another point to remember is that one canister will not provide enough heat for a regular sized room. You will need to either have a primary heat source or use more than one canister, which increases the cost again.
Anyway there is little doubt that indoor air quality is an important issue and whatever fuel you use the more heat you can keep in the room, the less fuel you have to use. There is no doubt there is a need for bio-fuels, but at this moment in time they are not suitable for everyone.
