Bioethanol vs Gas Fireplaces: 2026 Comparison Guide

Gas fires were first introduced in British homes in the mid-1850s. They’re now becoming less common in new builds, but can still be seen in older homes. Their look has evolved over time from unattractive, cheap-looking designs to today’s sleek, glass-fronted models.

Here are some of the advantages of gas fireplaces:

• Good heat output – gas fires produce a generous amount of heat (typically 3-5 kW), which is ideal for heating most room sizes.

• Easy to use – you’ll get instant heat at the flick of a switch, and there’s nothing to set up before lighting.

• Cheap to run – gas fires cost around 16-56p per hour to run, making them one of the cheapest ways to heat your home.

However, there are some limitations you should be aware of:

• Requires professional installation – they must be fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and you’ll also need a mains gas supply and chimney or flue to use one.

• Maintenance requirements – you’ll need to pay for an annual service, which typically costs between £85-£95.

• Lack of flexibility – gas fires are fixed into place, so you can’t move them around if you fancy a change.

• Harmful to the planet – gas is a fossil fuel which releases carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere when burned.

Bioethanol fireplaces are the ideal gas fireplace alternative, giving you the same real flames and smoke-free burning but without any of the drawbacks.

Here’s why should consider a bioethanol fireplace:

• Renewable, plant-based fuel – these fires run on eco-friendly bioethanol, which is made from plant by-products such as sugarcane and corn. The process of burning is effectively carbon neutral, too.

• No chimney or flue needed – bioethanol fires don’t produce smoke, so you don’t need a chimney to use one. And unlike gas fires, there are no toxic combustion gases to route outside via a flue. 

• Quick and easy to set up – biofires don’t require any professional installation. All you need to do is unpack your fireplace, place it into position, and light it. It’s really that simple.

• Suitable for all homes – because there’s no installation required, bioethanol fireplaces are ideal for flats, new builds, and rental properties where traditional options (including gas) would not be suitable.

• Flexible and portable – you can place your biofire wherever you like, provided your room meets the requirements explained below. You can also move your fireplace around your home, and even your garden, as you please.

However, biofires do have a couple of disadvantages, including:

• Moderate heat output – most biofires produce up to 3kW of heat. This makes them a great supplementary heat source for small-to-medium sized rooms, but they shouldn’t replace your central heating.

• Fuel cost – bioethanol is a little more expensive to purchase litre-on-litre than gas. However, the overall bioethanol fireplace running costs are cheaper than gas fires when you take into account the lack of installation and maintenance.

• Room size – these fireplaces should only be used in rooms that are at least 40m³. You can calculate your room size by multiplying the height x length x depth. You’ll also need adequate ventilation to use one safely.

You can read more about the disadvantages of bioethanol fireplaces and how to combat these in our blog post.

If you want to bring the beauty of real flames into your home in a way that won’t harm the planet, a bioethanol fireplace could be the perfect option for you. We offer an extensive selection of biofires, from woodburner-style models to contemporary wall-mounted designs. Explore our range to find your favourite.