Environmentally Friendly Wall Mounted Bioethanol Fireplaces

Frequently asked questions

• How much space should I leave around a wall mounted Bioethanol Fireplace?

  Some think a bioethanol fireplace is purely decorative, producing very little heat, but that's untrue. A bioethanol fireplace creates around 3kWh of heat from a real live flame, so you must practice the same caution you would for a traditional wood- or coal-burning flame. 

  Let's put that 3kWh into context: 

  Electric heater : a 1kW electric heater uses 1kWh in power and will heat a room of 10m². Most electric heaters are at least 2kW, use 2kWh in power, and will heat a space of 20m². 

  A bioethanol fireplace (on full) will heat a 30m² room comfortably. And just like an electric fire, you should practice caution regarding flammable objects placed nearby. 

  How much space should I leave around a wall-mounted fireplace?

  Surprisingly, there aren't any specific legal regulations regarding the installation of a wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace. However, you should definitely practice common sense. 

  We recommend leaving at least 45cm between the top of your fire and electrical equipment, such as a TV. Practice the same caution for all flammable objects, with at least 60cm in all directions from your fireplace, especially if the flame is open, as with our wall-mounted Alden range. 

  Practice extra caution around curtains, which could reach your fire if they're disturbed by a breeze. Leave at least 1m between the furthest reach of the curtains and your bioethanol fireplace. 

  Ensure that the wall is strong enough to sustain the weight of the fireplace. For example, our Alden White model is 19kg in weight and comes with the appropriate fittings to ensure that you can safely attach it to the wall. However, your wall must be substantial enough to bear 19kg. In doubt, seek the advice of an engineer. 

  Can I fit my wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace underneath a TV?

  Absolutely. 

  However, we suggest you keep the following in mind as a minimum: 

  • Remember: the flame of a biofire can behave erratically. A sudden draft could send the flame in an unexpected direction, so practice caution when opening your biofire's door. We suggest a minimum distance of 60cm between the top of the closed-top biofire and the bottom of the TV.
  • Recessing the TV into the wall may reduce the impact of heat on the TV. 
  • We suggest you install a heat/flameproof item to separate the fire from the TV, such as a shelf with a flameproof covering. 
  • Never put TV cables or leads behind your biofire, as they can overheat, creating a potential fire risk. 

• How do I fix a bioethanol fireplace to a wall?

  We’re happy to say that fixing an ImaginFires wall-mounted fireplace to the wall is very simple. 

  All our wall-mounted bioethanol fireplaces come with full hanging instructions and all the fittings and fixings you’ll need to fasten your beautiful fireplace to the wall securely.

  Can I fix a wall-mounted fireplace to any wall?

  The exact process you follow to attach your fireplace depends on the type of wall holding the fireplace in position. 

  For brick and plaster walls, all you need is a drill with a masonry drill bit. We supply the rawl plugs, brackets, and screws. 

  For other wall types, such as stud walls, ask for advice from your local DIY store or a reputable builder — you may need hollow wall anchor fixings to secure your bioethanol fireplace to the wall safely. 

  What’s included with a wall-mounted fireplace?

  We deliver all our bioethanol fireplaces with secure packaging to ensure your product remains safe during transit. 

  Simply unpack your fireplace, and it’s pretty much ready to go. Ensure you remove all packaging before you first light your fire.

  We supply easy-to-follow instructions, including advice about the safe placement of your fireplace. We also provide everything you need (apart from a drill) to fix your wall-mounted fireplace to the wall. 

  Once you’ve drilled the holes and inserted the rawl plugs, you can hang the included bracket. Make sure it’s securely fastened to the wall before hanging the fireplace. 

  Do my walls become hot with a wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace?

  Yes, your walls will likely get very warm above and around your bioethanol fireplace. Don’t allow children to touch the surrounding walls while your fireplace burns. 

  And remember, the walls will maintain heat for a while after snubbing out the flame.

  Can I place wires behind my wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace?

  Keep all wires from other appliances, such as TVs, away from the back of your bioethanol fireplace. 

  Wires behind the biofire could overheat and potentially damage your electrical equipment or cause a fire hazard.

  How much space above the top of my biofire should I leave?

  Some wall-mounted bioethanol fireplaces, such as our Alden range, are open at the top, which means that there’s no “roof” to enclose the fireplace. In this case, we recommend leaving an additional gap of at least 60cm around the top and sides of your biofire. 

  If your wall-mounted fireplace has a top (or roof), such as our Arlington or Marlow ranges, we recommend a gap of at least 30cm. 

  Can I attach my wall-mounted biofire underneath a TV?

  It’s possible to install your biofire underneath a wall-mounted TV set, but we recommend leaving a gap of at least 30cm between the top of your fire and the bottom of the TV if your fireplace has a “roof”.

  For open biofires without a roof, we recommend installing a fire- and heat-proof shelfbetween the fireplace and the TV.

• Can a biofire be placed flat against a wall?

  Can a freestanding bioethanol fireplace be placed flat against a wall?

  You get lots of flexibility with our freestanding bioethanol fireplaces - all suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Whether you choose a traditional log-burner-style fireplace, a funky bioethanol fireplace insert, or a sleek, modern signature piece, you’ll have plenty of flexibility regarding where you choose to use it. 

  When you’re storing your fireplace, you can keep it flat against the wall to save space, but we suggest you move your fireplace off the wall when in use. 

  Where do I place my freestanding bioethanol fireplace?

  Move your fireplace a minimum of 100mm from the wall before you light it. Keep it away from the wall while it's in use. This ensures good air circulation around the fireplace.

  Never move your bioethanol fireplace while it’s lit or still warm. It will be hot to the touch so you must wait until it has cooled.

  Alternatively, you might opt for a wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace. These are fixed directly to the wall, meaning you don’t get the flexibility of a freestanding model, but you get a super-slick fireplace that will be the envy of your friends and family. Our wall-mounted fireplaces come with a wall mounting kit, which is simple to install safely without any specialist skills.

• How easy is it to install a wall-mounted biofire?

  We’re happy to say that fixing an ImaginFires wall-mounted fireplace to the wall is very simple. 

  All our wall-mounted bioethanol fireplaces come with full hanging instructions and all the fittings and fixings you’ll need to fasten your beautiful fireplace to the wall securely.

• Are bioethanol fires an efficient way to heat a room?

  Perhaps surprisingly, this is a very common question that confuses many people!

  While biofires are not intended as a primary heat source for your home, your bioethanol fireplace gives off plenty of heat, with much better fuel efficiency than a wood-burning stove (which loses around 40% of its heat up the chimney). 

  So with our fireplaces you can close off the chimney (with a proprietary chimney sock or similar) and finish off above the fireplace with a piece of fireboard or similar for that added bit of protection.

• Can bioethanol fireplaces be used as a primary heating source?

  Bioethanol fireplaces are mainly designed as a decorative or aesthetically-pleasing item that can enhance the ambiance of a space, whilst offering some additional, supplementary heat from a warming flame.  

  What to consider when using a bioethanol fireplace as a heating source?

  • Heating capacity: Bioethanol fireplaces generate radiant heat, which can warm up immediate surroundings and create a cosy atmosphere.
  • Supplemental use: They are most effective when used as a supplemental heat source in conjunction with other heating methods.
  • Ideal for smaller spaces: Bioethanol fireplaces are well-suited for smaller rooms or well-insulated areas where they can make a noticeable difference.

  Need more information on using bioethanol fireplaces for heating purposes? Please contact our team today to find out more.