Article: Do Electric Fires Need a Chimney?
Do Electric Fires Need a Chimney?
Do Electric Fires Need a Chimney?
No, electric fires do not need a chimney.
That is one of the biggest reasons they have become so popular in modern homes.
You can create a fireplace feature, media wall, TV wall or cosy room upgrade without needing a chimney, flue, gas supply or solid fuel setup.
For many customers, this is the lightbulb moment.
They assume a fire needs a chimney because that is how fireplaces traditionally worked. But with an electric fire, there is no real flame, no smoke and no combustion. So there is nothing that needs to be vented up a chimney.
That gives you a lot more freedom when designing your room.
Quick answer
Electric fires do not need a chimney, flue or gas supply.
They run from electricity and create the look of a fire using flame effects, lighting and a fuel bed display. Many models also include a heater for local room warmth.
This makes electric fires a practical choice for modern homes, apartments, bedrooms, media walls, fireplace openings, new builds and rooms where there is no working chimney.
You still need to check power access, clearances, airflow and the product manual before installation.
The easiest way to think about it is this:
A gas or solid fuel fire needs somewhere for fumes, smoke or gases to go.
An electric fire does not burn fuel.
So it does not need a chimney.
That means you can put an electric fire in places where a gas, wood or solid fuel fire would be much more complicated.
This is why electric fires work so well in modern homes, especially when people want the fireplace look without the building work that comes with traditional fires.
Why does a traditional fire need a chimney?
Traditional fires produce smoke, fumes or gases because something is being burned.
That could be:
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Wood
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Coal
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Gas
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Smokeless fuel
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Pellets
A chimney or flue is used to carry combustion gases safely away from the room.
That is why traditional fireplace installations need more planning. You have to think about the chimney condition, flue route, ventilation, installation rules and servicing.
Electric fires are different.
They do not burn fuel, so they do not need a flue route.
How does an electric fire work without a chimney?
An electric fire uses electricity to create the flame effect and, where fitted, heat.
The flame effect is created using lighting, mirrors, screens, fuel bed effects or visual display technology, depending on the model.
The heater, if included, works more like a local electric room heater.
So the fire gives you:
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Flame effect
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Glow
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Fuel bed lighting
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Visual atmosphere
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Optional local heat
But it does not create smoke or combustion gases.
That is why no chimney is needed.
Can you install an electric fire in a room with no chimney?
Yes, absolutely.
This is one of the biggest advantages of electric fires.
You can install an electric fire in rooms where a traditional fireplace would not be practical.
Good places for electric fires include:
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Living rooms
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Bedrooms
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Apartments
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New builds
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Extensions
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Snugs
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Playrooms
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Open-plan kitchen/living spaces
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Rooms with no chimney breast
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Rooms where an old fireplace has been removed
As long as the fire is suitable for the installation type and has safe power access, you have far more flexibility than you would with gas or solid fuel.
Are electric fires good for media walls?
Yes, electric fires are one of the best options for media walls.
A media wall is usually built around a TV, fire, shelving, storage and a clean feature wall finish.
Trying to do that with a gas fire can be much more complicated because of heat, flueing, ventilation and servicing access.
With an electric fire, the installation is usually much easier to design around.
That is why electric fires are so popular for:
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TV media walls
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False chimney breasts
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Slimline media walls
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Open-plan living areas
You still need to follow the product manual, check clearances and plan the wall properly, but you do not need a chimney.
Can you put an electric fire in an old fireplace opening?
Yes, in many cases you can.
If you already have an old fireplace opening, an electric fire can be a very clean way to upgrade it.
This is especially useful if you no longer want to use gas, coal, wood or an open fire.
An electric fire can help you keep the fireplace focal point without needing a live chimney or flue.
Before ordering, check:
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Opening width
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Opening height
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Opening depth
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Power access
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Condition of the opening
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Dampness or loose material
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Clearance requirements
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Whether the fire is suitable for inset installation
If the old fireplace opening is damp, damaged or crumbling, get that fixed before installing an electric fire.
Can you install an electric fire on a flat wall?
Yes, depending on the type of electric fire.
Some electric fires are designed to be wall-mounted, which means they sit on the surface of the wall.
Others are designed to be recessed or built into a prepared wall, fireplace opening or media wall.
So the answer depends on the model.
Choose a wall-mounted electric fire if you want:
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Easier installation
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Less building work
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A quick room upgrade
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A simple feature fire
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A bedroom, apartment or playroom upgrade
Choose a built-in electric fire if you want:
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A cleaner fitted look
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A media wall
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A false chimney breast
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A more premium finish
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A fire that feels designed into the room
The important thing is to choose a fire that suits the wall you have.
Do electric fires need ventilation?
Electric fires do not need ventilation for smoke or fumes because they do not burn fuel.
But they may still need airflow around the appliance, especially around the heater outlet and air intake.
This is an important distinction.
No chimney is needed.
But the fire still needs to be installed correctly.
Before installation, always check:
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Heater outlet position
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Air intake position
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Clearance requirements
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Whether vents must remain clear
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Product manual guidance
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Whether the wall design blocks airflow
Do not block vents or build over parts of the fire that need airflow.
Do electric fires need a flue?
No, electric fires do not need a flue.
A flue is used to remove combustion gases from fuel-burning appliances.
Electric fires do not burn fuel, so there are no combustion gases to remove.
That is why electric fires can be fitted in far more locations than gas or solid fuel fires.
Do electric fires need a gas supply?
No, electric fires do not need a gas supply.
They run from electricity.
This makes them a practical choice for homes where:
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There is no gas supply
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The old gas fire has been removed
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You do not want gas servicing
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You want a cleaner installation
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You are building a media wall
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You are designing a new room from scratch
You should still make sure the electrical supply is suitable and safely positioned.
Do electric fires give heat?
Yes, many electric fires include a heater for local room warmth.
The heater is usually best thought of as a comfort heater, not the main heating system for the whole house.
Most customers use the flame effect for atmosphere and the heater when they want extra warmth in the room.
The best way to use an electric fire is:
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Flame effect for everyday atmosphere
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Heater when the room needs a warmth boost
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Main heating system for whole-home heating
That keeps expectations realistic.
Can you use an electric fire without heat?
Yes, many electric fires allow the flame effect to run without turning on the heater.
This is one of the best everyday features.
You can enjoy the look and glow of the fire even when the room is already warm.
As a guide, many Lumo electric fires cost approximately 1c–3c per hour on flame-only mode, depending on the model and your electricity rate.
That makes flame-only mode excellent value for evening atmosphere, TV nights and everyday cosiness.
Running costs are estimates only and will vary depending on your electricity tariff, model, settings and usage.
Are electric fires good for new builds?
Yes, electric fires are very popular in new builds.
Many new homes do not have traditional chimneys, and customers often want a clean feature wall, media wall or fireplace focal point without adding a gas or flue system.
Electric fires suit new builds because they can work with:
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Flat walls
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Media walls
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Open-plan spaces
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Bedrooms
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Apartments
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Modern insulation standards
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Clean interior finishes
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TV feature walls
If you are planning a new build, it is best to choose the fire early so power access, wall depth and TV position can be planned properly.
Are electric fires good for apartments?
Yes, electric fires can be a great option for apartments.
Apartments often do not have chimneys or flues, and gas or solid fuel options may not be practical.
A wall-mounted or recessed electric fire can add atmosphere without needing a traditional fireplace setup.
Always check the building rules, electrical safety requirements and installation instructions before fitting.
Best Lumo fires for homes without a chimney
The best Lumo range depends on the room and the look you want.
Here is the simple showroom breakdown.
Lumo Aura Series
The Lumo Aura Series is a great choice if you want an easy electric fire feature without a chimney or major building work.
It suits customers who want a simple fireplace look in a living room, bedroom, apartment or playroom.
Good for:
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Bedrooms
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Apartments
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Playrooms
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Simple living room upgrades
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Wall-mounted layouts
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Homes without a chimney
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Customers who want easy installation
Choose Aura if you want a clean, simple electric fire feature without building a full media wall.
Lumo Vision Series
The Lumo Vision Series works well for modern wall-mounted or recessed installations.
It is a good option if you want a clean feature fire but do not want a deep wall build.
Good for:
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Modern living rooms
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Feature walls
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Wall-mounted layouts
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Recessed installations
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Homes without a chimney
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Flexible room upgrades
Choose Vision if you want a modern electric fire with flexible installation.
Lumo Comfort Series
The Lumo Comfort Series is a practical slimline option for media walls, chimney breast builds and wall-mounted installations.
It is useful where wall depth matters and you want to keep the build neat.
Good for:
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Slimline media walls
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TV feature walls
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Shallow chimney breast builds
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Modern living rooms
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Homes without a chimney
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Everyday use
Choose Comfort if you want a slimline electric fire for a modern feature wall.
Lumo Cozy Series
The Lumo Cozy Series is designed for slimline built-in media wall projects.
It suits customers who want the built-in media wall look without needing a chimney or gas supply.
Good for:
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Media walls
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False chimney breast builds
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Slimline installations
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TV feature walls
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Modern living rooms
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Homes without a chimney
Choose Cozy if you want a proper built-in media wall fire while keeping wall depth practical.
Lumo Ultra Series
The Lumo Ultra Series is a deeper electric fire range for customers who want a more premium fireplace feature.
It works well in larger rooms and deeper media wall builds where the fire is intended to have more presence.
Good for:
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Deeper media walls
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Premium feature walls
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Larger living rooms
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Full-depth installations
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Homes without a chimney
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Strong visual impact
Choose Ultra if you have the wall depth available and want a more substantial electric fire.
Lumo Odyssey Series
The Lumo Odyssey Series is ideal for wider panoramic media wall designs and statement feature walls.
It suits larger rooms where the fire needs to feel like a major part of the design.
Good for:
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Wide media walls
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Large open-plan rooms
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Statement feature walls
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Premium interiors
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Homes without a chimney
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Panoramic flame effect
Choose Odyssey if you want a wide, premium electric fire feature.
Lumo Loft Series
The Lumo Loft Series is a strong choice if you have an old fireplace opening but do not want to use gas, solid fuel or a working chimney.
It gives you a more classic inset fireplace look with the simplicity of electric.
Good for:
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Fireplace openings
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Hearth upgrades
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Snugs
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Living rooms
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Replacing an old fire
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Homes where the chimney is no longer used
Choose Loft if you want to upgrade an old fireplace opening without relying on a working chimney.
Which Lumo fire should you choose?
Here is the simple version:
Choose Aura if you want an easy wall-mounted style upgrade.
Choose Vision if you want a clean modern wall-mounted or recessed feature.
Choose Comfort if you want a practical slimline feature wall fire.
Choose Cozy if you want a slimline built-in media wall fire.
Choose Ultra if you want a deeper, more premium media wall fire.
Choose Odyssey if you want a wider panoramic statement fire.
Choose Loft if you are upgrading an existing fireplace opening.
If you are unsure, start with the room.
Is it a flat wall, media wall, fireplace opening or TV wall?
That usually tells us which range makes sense.
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are the mistakes we see most often:
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Assuming you need a chimney for every fire
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Choosing a fire before checking wall depth
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Forgetting power access
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Not checking the product manual
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Blocking heater airflow
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Installing into a damp fireplace opening
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Building a media wall before choosing the fire
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Mounting a TV too high above the fire
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Choosing by photo instead of actual dimensions
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Forgetting future access for cleaning or maintenance
Most of these are easy to avoid with a little planning.
What to send us before ordering
If you are not sure which electric fire will suit your room, send us:
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Room photos
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Wall width
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Ceiling height
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TV size, if using one
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Available wall depth
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Whether there is an existing fireplace opening
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Whether you want wall-mounted, recessed or built-in
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Whether you want one, two or three sides visible
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Any inspiration images you like
With that information, we can usually point you towards the right Lumo range quickly.
Final advice
Electric fires do not need a chimney.
That means you can create a fireplace feature in far more rooms than you might expect.
Whether you are planning a media wall, upgrading a fireplace opening, adding a fire to a bedroom or designing a new build living room, electric gives you a flexible route without needing a chimney, flue or gas supply.
The main thing is to choose the right fire for the room and installation type.
If you are unsure, send us your photos and measurements. We can help you choose the best Lumo fire before you order.
FAQs
Do electric fires need a chimney?
No. Electric fires do not need a chimney, flue or gas supply because they do not burn fuel or produce smoke.
Can I have an electric fire if I do not have a chimney?
Yes. Electric fires are ideal for homes without a chimney because they only need suitable power access and correct installation.
Do electric fires need a flue?
No. Electric fires do not need a flue because they do not produce combustion gases.
Do electric fires need ventilation?
Electric fires do not need ventilation for smoke or fumes, but they may still need airflow around the heater outlet and air intake. Always follow the product manual.
Can an electric fire go in an old fireplace opening?
Yes, in many cases. You should check the opening width, height, depth, condition, dampness, power access and installation requirements before ordering.
Are electric fires good for media walls?
Yes. Electric fires are one of the most popular choices for media walls because they do not need a chimney, flue or gas supply.
Can an electric fire be installed on a flat wall?
Yes, some electric fires are designed to be wall-mounted on a flat wall. Others are designed to be recessed or built into a prepared wall or media wall.
Do electric fires give heat?
Many electric fires include a heater for local room comfort. They are best used for atmosphere and warmth boosts, not as the main heating system for the whole home.
Can electric fires be used without heat?
Yes, many electric fires allow flame-only mode without heat. As a guide, many Lumo electric fires cost approximately 1c–3c per hour on flame-only mode, depending on the model and electricity rate.
Which Lumo fire is best for a home without a chimney?
It depends on the room. Aura and Vision suit simpler wall-mounted or recessed upgrades, Cozy and Comfort suit slimline media walls, Ultra and Odyssey suit premium feature walls, and Loft suits fireplace openings.
