News
Is your gas fire in need of servicing and repair ?
Gas fire servicing and repair is an important part of fire maintenance. Many people are aware of how important it is to service their gas boiler yearly. Few are aware it is just as important to service your gas fire every year.
The Gas Fireplace offer full servicing and repair using our own fully qualified GasSafe engineers. Give us a call on 02086633223 to book your service or repair. Alternatively use our contact us page to email your service request. We offer servicing as well as spare parts for a large range of different fires.
Servicing will keep your fire running efficiently. Servicing will take apart your fire and clean all the working parts. This will allow your fire to work again as new. Ensuring the fire performs as it should. With no danger of carbon monoxide spillage.
Our engineers work in the following areas:
South London, Kent, Surrey, Dulwich, Bromley, Beckenham, Catford, Greenwich, Lewisham, Croydon, West Wickham, Bexley, Bexley Heath, Charlton, Sydenham, Forest Hill, Streatham, Purley, Sanderstead, Caterham, Biggin Hill, Westerham
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Staff from one of our stove suppliers ESSE haver just completed a cycle ride in aid of The Sanitation First charity.
Esse staff completed the charity KBB cycle from London to Paris. Riding onto the Champs-Elysees in a group of cyclists all in the same kit was the highlight.
The cycling was the fun bit but it is good when we can make a difference and raise some funds for a good cause. If you would like to donate please help ESSE sales director Mark reach his personal fundraising target of £500. A link to his total giving page is at the bottom of this post.
Sanitation First is a small but really good charity and through their efforts and the funds our cycle raises a small village of 493 people in a third world country will have sanitation facilities which we take for granted. The toilet block that will be built as a result of the charity effort will allow girls to go to school and receive an education.
Mark Blewitt, ESSE Engineering Ltd.
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The Demographics of Kattiyankuppam
Around 260 families live in surrounding areas of this school, and the majority of the livelihoods of these families come from the agricultural industry. Due to an increase in the mechanisation of agriculture, many people cannot get work throughout the year.
The vast majority of the children who attend this school belong to the lowest castes in Indian society, which means that they are in a particularly poor economic position. |
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Current Sanitation Facilities
The school’s current sanitation facilities are in an unusable condition. There is also no private washroom or incinerator for the girls, which means that the female students aren’t able to privately manage their menstruation. The headmaster has told us that girls do not attend school when they are menstruating, because of a lack in facilities. |
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What will Sanitation First do?
Firstly, Sanitation First will be constructing two separate sanitary blocks, one for boys and one for girls. In the girls’ facility, there will be a private washroom and incinerator.
The toilets that we build in schools are always cheerful and colourful, with painted murals on the walls that tell children all about the benefits of hand-washing and clean sanitation. |
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When it comes to Limestone and Marble, Grey is the New Black. 2018 has seen our sales of Grey coloured materials for fireplaces and hearths overtake almost all of the other colours we supply, putting boring Beige firmly into second place.
Especially popular is our Prima Gris Limestone, this material is full of character and provides a warm feel to any room. The grey colour is the perfect foil to the dark of the stove or fire.
Grey is the new black now feature in many home decorative schemes as the tonal range variations can give a room a totally different look at different times of the day, depending upon the lighting conditions.
Why not pop into our Beckenham showroom and have a look at the new Black!
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This bespoke fireplace installation in Bexley Heath was just the ticket for Jonathan. Who had just moved into his first house, after renting for some years.
The lounge had a very narrow chimney breast. So required our made to measure service. A service we offer when a standard size will not fit. Jonathan chose a bespoke limestone surround with polished black granite for the hearth and back panel. Along with a NuFlame Energis high efficiency gas fire, complete with remote control for ease of use.
Our surveyor visited the house in Bexley Heath taking measurements for the new bespoke fireplace. Also to check the safety and suitability of the chimney. Once we had this information we were able to prepare a free no obligation quotation for Jonathan to consider. Our price was competitive and we were awarded the works.
The fireplace was made and a date arranged for the Bespoke fireplace installation in Bexley Heath. The day dawned and one of our installation teams were on site bright and early. The installation went without a hitch and the result was a nice new fireplace focal point to brighten up any room.
We wish Jonathan many happy years in his new home.
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3 problems of “traditional open fires”
Traditional open fires whilst nice to look at are very inefficient, a problem in todays world as we all strive to make our houses cozy but at the same time cheaper to run.
However you don’t have to resort to a stove when you want a warm, smoke-free room. Jetmaster open fire convection boxes give you advantages a stove doesn’t — the crackle of burning logs, a bigger flame, a well-warmed room more quickly. And because they light so easily and heat so quickly you don’t have to keep Jetmaster open fires going all the time. An open fire convector will also be cheaper to install as it will not require the expensive steel liner a wood stove does, or the scaffolding to install the liner
Below you can see three examples showing the benefits of a Jetmaster convector box over a traditional open fire.
1. Efficiency
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TRADITIONAL OPEN FIRE
A typical open fire, like a grate in a brick fireplace, will achieve an efficiency of about 10% — perhaps as much 18% in good conditions. This directly equates to how much wood you need to burn to stay warm… lots! |
JETMASTER SOLUTION
A Jetmaster is the most efficient open fire in the UK, with fuel efficiencies of up to 50% when burning wood. That’s as much as five times better than a standard firebrick opening. |
2. Heat losses
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TRADITIONAL OPEN FIRE
Most of the heat a traditional open fire generates goes straight up the chimney. And even when the fire is not on, warm air from the room is drawn out the house through the chimney. |
JETMASTER SOLUTION
Standing air losses can are significantly reduced with a Jetmaster open fire using it’s damper mechanism. The damper closes the fire down to within 3% of the flue opening. This has great benefits in today’s highly efficient homes. |
3. Smoke spillage
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TRADITIONAL OPEN FIRE
Another common issue with traditional open fires is smoke spilling in to the room. As well as being inconvenient, this is unsafe and hazardous. |
JETMASTER SOLUTION
Jetmaster offer a “No Smoke Guarantee” with every open fire. The proven design draws smoke through the unit and up the chimney, never in to the room. |
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Nigel, I Thought you might like to see the made to measure Gas Fire now it is fitted.
It looks really good and everybody is very pleased with it.
If you would like to use the photo for advertising purposes please feel free.
J B
(from Blackpool)
It’s always nice to receive feedback from customers, if you have an old fireplace that needs bringing back to life, give us a call on 0208 663 3223 or fill out our
made to measure quote form.
As a display and demonstrate Dimplex Centre, The Gas Fireplace can provide you with the complete range of Dimplex fire products. Enabling you to choose from the complete range of inset, wall mounted and stove electric fires.
Dimplex fires and stoves purchased through a registered Display and Demonstrate dealer such as The Gas Fireplace will provide you with additional warranty on your Dimplex product, not available through normal outlets or online providers.
Buy your new Dimplex electric fire or stove with confidence from us.
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We have today been informed a Hunter Stoves price increase will come into force on the 26th March 2018.
The increase will not however affect all the Hunter Stoves brands. If you have been considering the purchase of one of the following Hunter Stove brand appliances from The Gas Fireplace. We would advise to get your order in soon. Please be aware that orders placed after the 26th March will attract the price increase.
The Hunter stoves price increase will impact these brands Avalon, Eco, Cleanburn and HS Gas. Parkray and DiLusso stoves will not be increased in price at this time.
Call us for more details on 0208 663 3223
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Our Easter Gas Fire Scrappage Scheme runs from now until 30th April 2018, trade in your old Gas Fire against a brand new more efficient gas fire.
Choose from many different styles and brands of fire, all fitted with the latest technology to save you money. Take advantage of the easter gas fire scrappage scheme and be ready to save on gas bills next winter.
With efficiencies of up to 88% on some fires, not only will they be cheaper to run, they will also heat your room more effectively than your existing fire. The improved fuel matrix look just as realistic on low as they do on high, meaning you will be able to turn down the flames, keeping the good looks and saving money!
Call us on 020 8663 3223 or pop in for more details on how you can save.
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The Gas Fireplace has been supplying and installing fireplaces and fires locally for over 35 years. Visit our shop on the High Street in Beckenham to discuss your requirements. These are of some of the supply areas our fireplace installers cover. So if you want a fireplace in Eltham or a gas fire in Orpington we are the place to visit.
Eltham
Croydon
Bromley
Beckenham
Sydenham
Lewisham
Streatham
Dulwich
Orpington
In addition to being able to supply or supply and install our period and contemporary fireplaces and fires within these areas we can install you a new gas fire, wood stove, gas stove or electric fire. We can also instal media walls, to create the perfect focal point in your room. Below are a few of the makes we supply to choose from:
Jetmaster
Parkray: gas and wood burning stoves from a British manufacturer
British Fires: stunning range of free standing and built in electric fires
Nu Flame: full range of gas and electric fires
DiLusso:
Dimplex
Dru: range of balanced flue gas fires
Evonic: Electric fires, freestanding, inset
Planning to visit us we have parking at the rear of the shop or the 54, 227, 352 and 354 bus services stop (war memorial) directly outside of the shop.
Call Nigel or Carol for more information on 0208 663 3223 we provide a quality service at a price that won’t be beaten.
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The new Energy Labelling Regulations for fires and stoves will come into force on the 1st January 2018.
In the UK and across Europe, The Energy Labelling directive has been introduced to help consumers make more of an informed choice about gas, electric and solid fuel appliance efficiency.
Energy labels can already be found on domestic appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines. Such energy labels have been in use for a number of years, and are designed to help reduce the carbon footprint of a household, and to save money. More efficient appliances use less energy, which is great for the environment, and also for household finances.
In April 2017 the Energy Labelling directive was implemented on independent boiler appliances, and in January 2018, room heater stove appliances will be required to comply with the new legislation.
All wood burning stoves will likely be categorised as an “A rating” due to the renewable and zero carbon features.
Our website will soon show these labels against each appliance, this will enable you to see at a glance which fire or stove might be the best for your home.
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What should you consider when purchasing a gas fire?
Don’t take any chances when purchasing a gas fire. Choosing the right gas fire needs a systematic approach that depends on your home. The size of the space to be heated and your personal taste. It is important to know in advance what are the options in your home. Also what exactly you expect from the fireplace. Is heat your priority or is the atmosphere created by the gas fire more important? Or are both of equal importance? Fortunately, you don’t have to decide all by yourself; we will list the options for you.
What type of gas fire should you choose and in which situation?
There are three main types of gas fires: Built-in, freestanding and suspended gas fires.
- A built-in gas fire can be installed in a wall or in a chimneybreast; this can be done with or without a frame depending on your interior design. A built-in gas fire is a good option if you want a streamlined finish, although it often needs considerable room, even if that is not your first impression.
- A freestanding gas fire offers greater flexibility and makes it easier to perhaps replace it with another model in the future.
- A suspended gas fire heats large and open spaces quickly and effectively, because it radiates heat to all sides. The great advantage of this type of gas fire is that the floor space remains free and therefore the room in which the fire is situated appears to have more space.
Gas fires offer more options than open wood fires. You have a choice of fire view: do you want to view the fire from two or three sides? Or even from two different rooms? Tunnel view is a good option in the case of a long wall between to areas; both areas enjoy the vista of a single fire. It makes good use of space and is very eye-catching.
Selecting a gas fire with open or closed combustion?
Oxygen is always necessary for combustion. Where the oxygen comes from will depend on the type of system.
Open and closed combustion: the differences
- In open combustion, the oxygen is drawn in from the space around the fire. In the case of closed combustion, the air is drawn from outside for combustion and the residual gasses are extracted using the same flue.
- Ventilation is a vital point in an open combustion system, because the residual gasses must be extracted by the natural draw in the flue. An open combustion system cannot be installed in a residence with mechanical ventilation. In the case of closed combustion, the air is drawn from outside for burning the fire and the residue gasses are extracted using the same flue. In this case, there are no special ventilation requirements.
- In open combustion, the fire can be glass-fronted or open-fronted. Open combustion is less efficient and mainly provides immediate radiated heat. In a closed combustion system, the fires are always glass-fronted. This ensure that the fire achieves a higher temperature and therefore a higher output.
A gas fire with open combustion is an option when it is installed in an existing fireplace. For example, when replacing an open fire, when there is little room for a suitable flue and when the fire is used only for creating a warm atmosphere. In a well insulated residence with mechanical ventilation, a gas fire with closed combustion is almost always a better option.
Other things to consider
In addition to choosing the type of gas fire and combustion system, there are other issues that should be considered:
- Capacity
It is important to choose a gas fire with a capacity that matches the space that you want to heat. Examine how much capacity you need for your home.
- Technical options
Do you have doubts about whether it is possible to install a gas fire in your home or do you have a particular place in mind for installing it? Consult our section on technical questions or what the PowerVent system can do.
- Environmentally-friendly and safe
Is a gas fire environmentally-friendly and safe? Years of experience have made DRU gas fires very efficient and low on energy consumption. Check here to see what is the average consumption of the gas fire.
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In addition we have just fitted our hand crafted Stanley fireplaces to a house in Bromley.
Manufactured in Limestone with a steel panel, Italian Slate hearth with Spherical dogs and basket gas fire. Here fitted for a lovely couple from Bromley Kent.
The Stanley Fireplace with gas fire was recently installed in Bromley by The Gas Fireplace. Our Bromley clients were drawn to the contemporary style of the Stanley enhancing the living room.
Now fitted and looks absolutely stunning. It fits welll with the style of our living room and is a real talking point for guests.
The Gas Fireplace installation team worked seamlessly to ensure they were careful and attentive to our well-loved home. Nigel’s advice was very helpful in making our choice. Beginning to end the transition from an outdated 1950’s tiled fireplace to the Stanley Fireplace went very smoothly.
‘The Gas Fireplace selection includes a wide range of fireplaces. From our initial enquiry to installation took five weeks. We would recommend them to anybody needing a fireplace in the Bromley area and beyond!’
‘We could not fault them from removal of the old fireplace to fitting of new’
The Gas Fireplace offers a comprehensive service. With a range of contemporary and period styles fire surrounds and fires. Sourcing the best natural materials carved by skilled craftsmen. Offering advice on size, model and material through years of experience. Also offering advice on technical requirements. Also project managing from initial enquiry through to survey and successful installation.
The Stanley fireplace is a copy of an old English mantelpiece. Simplistic in design and straight lines for a minimalist appearance. This fireplace is available in any material or size.
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Nu-Flame have updated their Energis range of fires, to now include all of the standard open fronted fires. The range now incorporates the class leading Hotbox and Slimline models, with efficiency’s of between 67.9% and 79.7% dependent upon model. This sets the Energis range as the most efficient heat source for your room of any open fronted gas fire currently made today.
The Energis range updated means they are all available with either Nu Flames 3 button fully sequential high level touch control system, remote control or standard manual control. They are also suitable for most flue types from Class 1 to Pre-cast, making it one of the most versatile fires we sell.
Come and see the range in our Beckenham showroom and feel the difference for yourself.
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Warming up your living room with a fireplace has been a common tradition in homes across the world for hundreds of years. However, more recently, gas fires have increased in popularity to become the most widely used fireplace in domestic and commercial environments. This article will detail the history of the gas fireplace, looking at why it has become so popular, and the developments gas fires have seen over the course of its existence.
Gas fires first came into prominence as a popular alternative for wood burning fires due to their efficiency and cleanliness. Wood burning fires created a lot of smoke and ash, whereas gas fireplaces removed these by-products entirely; providing a cleaner, more efficient fireplace. The relative speed of which the gas fire could alight was a great improvement on the gradual lighting of a traditional fireplace. The first gas fireplace is estimated to have been produced as early as 1895, using the method of heating a cast-iron carcass that projected heat out into the room.
Although gas fires may have suffered from a lack of aesthetic authenticity compared to the beautiful natural flames of a wood burning stove, recent developments of the gas fireplace have provided homeowners with realistic-looking ‘living flame’ fires. the gas fire flames look incredibly realistic and add an extra layer of atmosphere and authenticity to gas fireplaces. As well as the fires themselves, there are now countless fireplaces that enhance their appearance and help them become the focal point of a room together with hole in the wall fireplaces and hole in the wall gas fires.
As with a lot of new innovations, the price was originally a sticking point for a lot of people as it was relatively expensive compared to traditional fires. However, over time, the price of these fires has dropped quite considerably, making them much more affordable and therefore more common in domestic and commercial environments.
At the Gas fireplace, we are proud to stock a wide range of beautiful gas fires and surrounds to suit any need. We stock a variety of fireplaces, including both inset and outset models, plus balanced flue fires. Our team of experienced, Gas Safe Registered professionals can install your fire quickly and efficiently, ensuring that you can enjoy the benefits of your new fireplace as soon as possible. For more information about our range of gas fires or any of our other fireplaces, browse our website today Give us a call or pop along to our shop in Beckenham and talk to one of our friendly, helpful staff.
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Mr Alleyn, of Village Way, Dulwich Village, Dulwich, has recently had the Edgehill Fireplace installed at his heritage home by The Gas Fireplace. Mr Alleyn was drawn to the way contemporary style elegantly blends with a historical feel, which enhances the feel of his home.
Mr Alleyn of Dulwich said ‘Our family are very pleased with the Edgehill Fireplace. It has now been fitted and looks absolutely stunning. It fits in with the new style look of our living room so well and is a real talking point for guests. The Gas Fireplace installation team worked seamlessly to ensure they were careful and attentive with our well-loved listed home, from beginning to end the transition from our rather outdated fireplace, to the much more modern Edgehill Fireplace enhances the overall ambience of our Dulwich Village residence’.
‘You have a fabulous range of high quality fireplaces to choose from and from initial enquiry to installation was fast and efficient. I would recommend The Gas Fireplace to anybody needing a fireplace in the Dulwich area and beyond, and recently have! They were thrilled with the result and all staff are always helpful and friendly.’
Mr Alleyn, Dulwich ‘Excellent installation from removal of old fireplace to fitting of new’!
We offer a comprehensive range of both contemporary and period styles of fire surround bespoke service. Sourcing the very best natural materials which are carved by skilled, experienced craftsmen. Advice on size, model and material incorporating years of experience to advise on technical possibilities. Project managing from initial enquiry, through the survey to successful installation.
The Edgehill mantelpiece is a copy of an Edwardian corbel mantelpiece. Simplistic in design with graceful corbels at the tops of the legs to support the amply proportioned shelf, shown in White Marble. This fireplace is available in any material or size. Dimensions: 1600cm x 1156cm.
see more about the Edgehill Fireplace’s
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The Gas Fireplace has just completed the installation of a new gas fire in Orpington. The fire was fitted in the living room for Mr & Mrs Lubbock of Petts Wood, Orpington. The Lubbock’s were over the moon with the installation and gas fire. With an output of 2-8kw & 80% efficiency, logs fuel effect and ceramic black mirror interior, it looks amazing. They are looking forward to the new cosy feel it will bring to those autumn/winter evenings on the sofa.
The Lubbock’s chose a burner with a medium of logs, instead of grey stones or white marble shingles. With black mirror interior. Other interior options were steel panels, plain background, ceramic black mirror interior or ceramic classic stone. The balanced flue gas fire is suitable for fitting into a fireplace or as a Hole in the Wall fire. In this instance installed as a hole in the wall. It is also available as a single face (shown) or double face option in both small and large.
Pleasant Orpington experience!
The Lubbock’s were extremely pleased with the product and service from us. Saying ‘nothing had been too much trouble’. We would definitely buy from The Gas Fireplace again and cannot recommend them highly enough. The advice received was ‘second to none’, and the fitting was a professional, pleasant experience. The fitters were very friendly and caused minimal disruption. The fitters left no mess, they also left advice on maintenance & aftercare. Mrs Lubbock said the flames are ‘mesmerising’ and the black mirror interior adds ‘another dimension’.
Other Bellfire in the range
We offer a wide range of Gas Fires to choose from. Our staff will help you pick the fire or fireplace that is right for you. After searching online for weeks Mrs Lubbock is so glad she came to us for her new gas fire.
With great customer service and aftercare, and a large range of products to choose from, our staff are very attentive and will help you make the right choice without any pressure selling.
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We are pleased to announce the latest addition to the Faber range of gas fires. The new Blokhus freestanding gas fire combines a stylish finish and impressive flame picture with unique design flexibility.
This unique, modular balanced flue gas fire offers a statement design object for any living space and is available with optional extra blocks to add height and create different looks.
Choose from single (200mm) or double (400mm) blocks to fit on top of the standard design, which offers a three-sided panoramic view of the flame picture. For Design flexibility with new Faber Blokhus.
The Blokhus model features an output of 4.6kW, or 5.2kW with the optional high efficiency kit and includes Faber’s Log Burner® combined with a superb glowing embers effect using LED Symbio® technology.
The modular block design of the new Blokhus offers the ability to build up extra modules to completely change the look of the product and needs a minimum clearance distance of just 20mm to a wall behind.
All this, of course, with the stylish design and excellent flame picture that dealers and consumers have come to expect from Faber.
For further information on the Blokhus, please visit our website Faber Blokhus or email email us.
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Nu Flame Arc front has been introduced to suit their current range of open fronted inset fire boxes.
The new Arc front fits the Ultra, Slimline and Hotbox fires, providing them with a more stylised look than the traditional flat or profile trims.
The new Arc trim still allows for use of the most popular hi level 3 button control option.
The Nu Flame Arc front is available in three finishes:
- Brushed steel
- Noir
- Phosphorus (shown)
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Introducing a new model – The Hunter Avalon Slimline 8
Hunter have just introduced into it’s already extensive stove lineup the Hunter Avalon Slimline 8 wood and multifuel 5kW output stove. With its slimline design, not only do you have outstanding characteristics, this high-powered model now comes with only a 5” flue for easy installation and delivers outstanding performance. Available with either a single or double door, and top or back flue outlet.
The Avalon Slimline 8 has been designed with less depth, for shallower chimney breasts the stove can still accommodate logs of up to 19.75” long. The Cleanburn system ensures that the fuel gives its utmost, driving heat directly into the room.
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The Importance of gas fire servicing. All gas appliances should be serviced once a year for your safety.
A Gas fire service will ensure your fire is set up properly and that all the products of combustion are being extracted into the chimney correctly. Not spilling dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) into your room. It will also ensure that your fire continues to provide the maximum heat it can. Fires that are not serviced will suffer a drop in heat production, as they won’t burn cleanly.
Over time, with the constant expansion and contraction. This affects the coals as they settle and the fire flame picture suffers. The service will include removal of the coals and burner bed also a repaint of the coals to make them look as new. The fire will then be relaid and tested so that it looks as good as it did the day it was installed.
Some of the signs to look out for when your gas fire needs servicing are;
- a build up of soot on the coal
- black streaks on the wall or fireplace from the top of the fire
- difficulty in lighting
- the fire won’t stay alight for long
Gas fire servicing MUST be carried out by a GasSafe registered engineer, details of your local engineer can be found on the GasSafe website. Should you live locally to Beckenham and Bromley, Orpington, Dulwich Eltham then we also carry out gas fire servicing.
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Nu Flame have launched the Nu Flame Silhouette trim to suit their current range of open fronted inset fire boxes.
The new Nu Flame Silhouette trim fits the Convector Ultra HE, Slimline Radiant HE and Hotbox HE fires, providing them with a more stylised look than the traditional flat or profile trims.
The new Silhouette trim still allows for use of the mist popular hi level 3 button control option.
The Nu Flame Silhouette trim is available in three finishes:
- Black/Brushed Stainless Steel
- Black/Polished Stainless
- Black/Brass
Flame Silouette options
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