A glass-fronted gas fire represents the pinnacle of gas-fired heating efficiency. While you can opt for an open-flame gas fire, glass-fronted gas fires are the preferred option due to their high efficiency levels. In the Charlton & Jenrick range, our glass-fronted gas fires include those in the time-served Paragon range plus those in the Infinity and Panache range, with the latter being the newest lineup.
With our range of glass-fronted fires you are spoilt for choice, with options ranging from contemporary hole-in-the-wall fascias, traditional cast-iron fascias and a choice of various styles and designs featuring different finishes. Fires can be installed with or without a hearth and even in homes without a chimney.
Increasing Efficiency
Open-flame fires, whether gas or wood-fired, draw warm air from the room into the fire, which then flows up through the chimney. The air is then replaced by cooler, unheated air, which the fire then has to heat, reducing efficiency and increasing costs.
Glass-fronted gas fires in the Charlton & Jenrick range have been scientifically designed to reduce this airflow to a minimum, virtually eliminating it in some cases.
What is a balanced flue?
Balanced flue fires are more efficient than their conventional flue counterparts as the fires are totally sealed from the room. Essentially, there is no drawing of air from the room, which impacts efficiency in a positive way.
With a balanced flue, the air is taken into the fire via a twin outside pipe (not from the room) mounted on an outside wall towards the rear of the fire. The removal of combustion gases exits from the second vent in the wall to create an ultra-high-efficiency heating method.
A balanced flue is an ideal solution when you don’t have a conventional chimney. These tend to be more common in newer build properties.
Minimising room air changes
Minimum room air changes combined with superior thermal efficiency achieved by ceramic glass-front technology gives glass-fronted fires the edge, as you can see from the diagram below:
Diagram 1 – Typical open-fronted gas fire changes room air up to 12 times per hour.
Diagram 2 – Paragon Focus HE, for example, changes room air just once per hour.
Diagram 3 – Paragon Focus RS range does not produce any air changes per hour, as it’s room sealed.
Open-flame fires:
It’s clear there are advantages to glass-fronted gas fires. But are there any benefits of traditional open-flame fires?
The simple answer is yes.
Open-flame gas fires are perfect for those who value tradition and love to see an exposed flame. While they may not be as efficient as glass-fronted fires, they are a trusted choice for many who have already enjoyed many years of being kept warm through an open-flame fire. They are practical, and although they embrace tradition, they do have a host of modern conveniences, such as remote control operation, and some can run on natural gas or LPG.
