FAQS

 Mon-Fri: 8.30am - 5pm
Sat: 10am - 3pm

 P: 09 623 6990
E: sales@thefireplace.co.nz

 12 Tawari Street, Mt Eden, Auckland, 1024

 Book a consultation
Auckland service

Below you will find FAQs for Wood, Gas & Electric

Eu dictumst cum at sed euismod condimentum?

Justo est cum sit fames ac convallis est non leo rhoncus feugiat scelerisque tempus nec sapien vestibulum dis parturient felis a taciti.

Odio molestie hac eros consectetur scelerisque?

Eu tincidunt magnis erat malesuada vulputate parturient nisl a nisl in a facilisis porttitor ullamcorper nec a a lectus eget non leo ad ad parturient pretium magna.A ligula dis vestibulum dapibus.

WHERE CAN I FIND MY NEAREST RETAILER?

We take care to ensure that our fireplaces are sourced from suppliers that design, test and manufacture to the highest possible quality and safety standards. We are just as concerned to make certain that they are sold and installed correctly so that you enjoy years of pleasure from your purchase. Accordingly, you will find our products are only available from experienced, independent retailers who will be happy to show you a selection of models locally in their showrooms, often fully operational; discuss your individual requirements both technical (such as the sizing the heat output to your room and advising on your fuel type) and design; and ensure that you select the most appropriate product for your home. These retailers will also be able to advise on or assist with the installation process as well as help provide any after-sales support and servicing your appliance may require in the future. Find your nearest retailer here

WHO CAN INSTALL MY WOOD BURNING APPLIANCE?

An experienced, Home Heating Association (NZHHA) approved installer should fit your fireplace. Your retailer should be able to arrange this for you, or search for your nearest HHA registered installers here

WHAT TYPE OF CHIMNEY OR FLUE SYSTEM DO I NEED?

Before you make any decisions relating to the purchase of a solid fuel or gas appliance, it is important to check the type of chimney or flue system you have available in your home. We advise that you consult with the team at The Fireplace or your local retailer before you make any decisions prior to purchasing a solid fuel or gas appliance.

WHAT SIZE FIREPLACE APPLIANCE DO I NEED?

To achieve a relaxing room temperature of around 21ºC when the external air temperature is freezing (0ºC) you will need approximately 1kW of heat output for every 14 cubic meters of space.

Measure the length, width and height of your room and multiply the three figures together.

For example, a room measuring 7m long by 4m wide and with a height of 2.5m is 70 cu. m. of space. Divide by the sum by 14 and this means you will require a 5kW appliance.

However this is just a rough guide, factors such as the number of outside walls, the size of windows and whether they are double glazed, the age of the home etc, can all influence the heat requirement.

We would always recommend you consult The Fireplace or your local retailer for a site survey before making your decision.

WHAT IS CLEANBURN?

Cleanburn is a system by which hot air is introduced into the firebox just above the normal height of the fire. This allows the combustion of unburned hydrocarbons in the smoke stream. This, in turn, provides not only a ‘cleaner burn’ (i.e. less soot particles going up the chimney/flue and into the atmosphere), but also allows you to enjoy even more flames.

WHAT IS AIRWASH?

Airwash is a design feature that uses a specially placed vent or vents to draw in air from the outside to wash over the inside of the glass. This helps to keep the glass clean, allowing you to enjoy the glow and flames to the full.

WHAT IS A CLEANAIR APPLIANCE?

This is a wood burner that has been found to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES for Air Quality). A clean air wood burner must have a discharge of less than 1.5 grams of particles for each kilogram of dry wood burned (g/kg) and a thermal efficiency of at least 65 per cent. Approved burners will be listed on the MFE website and will have an approval number, the appliance on this list may be installed on properties less than two hectares, anywhere in New Zealand, unless more stringent regional rules apply.

WHAT IS COMMISSIONING?

Commissioning a solid fuel or gas stove, fire or fireplace must be done following installation of the appliance. This is a compulsory procedure to ensure that the flue/appliance/room ventilation are all in accordance with building regulations, safety requirements and the manufacturer’s installation/operation instructions. This must be completed by a registered NZHHA installer or certified gasfitter.

I DON’T HAVE A CHIMNEY - CAN I STILL INSTALL A WOOD BURNING APPLIANCE?

Yes. You can install a wood burning appliance in properties without an existing chimney. A new cavity can be constructed to house a wood burning appliance and flue system.

WHAT TYPE OF HEARTH DO I NEED FOR MY WOOD BURNING APPLIANCE?

Designed to protect the immediate area surrounding your solid fuel appliance, a hearth is made of a non-combustible material that sits underneath and infront of the wood burning appliance. The hearth must be of a sufficient size in order that any burning fuel or hot embers do not fall on any combustible materials such as floorboards, carpets or rugs etc. There are many factors to consider on the type of hearth that you need for your home. Typically, the requirement is for a hearth to project a minimum of 300mm out from the front of the appliance. Please review the relevant installation manual for specific dimensions.

CAN I PUT A TV ABOVE MY FIRE?

Firstly, there is the basic principle that heat rises. Televisions and other similar equipment will not react well to exposure of excessive heat from below.

Inset fires being flush with the wall, will transfer heat directly up the wall above. All fireplace appliances state a distance above them where there must be no combustible material present such as TVs and other combustible material, and therefore the base of the appliance must be at least this far above the top of the installed fire. This measurement will frequently be of a height, which may not comfortably allow any TV to be practically placed there. To reduce this height a non-combustible mantel may be fitted to deflect the heat. Creating a recess in the wall above the fire to house a TV is a popular suggestion. However, it may actually cause a greater negative impact on the appliance because it will usually (a) place it even closer to the hot flue system rising from the fire and (b) place it in a confined space more prone to retaining the rising heat.

In conclusion, please discuss your design with one of the team at The Fireplace to find the best solution.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE SERIAL NUMBER FOR MY WOOD BURNING APPLIANCE?

Your appliance’s serial number can be found on the data plate/badge which is located either at the front of the appliance or behind the appliance. Please read your instruction manual for the exact location of the data plate/badge and subsequent serial number. If you do not have your instruction manual available, you can download this from our download library here

Once you have located your data badge/plate, your serial number should be located within the data badge/plate. Your serial number is required when ordering spare parts or making warranty claims. To order a spare part for your solid fuel appliance, please contact The Fireplace. Alternatively, you can also visit your nearest retailer to purchase any spare parts for your solid fuel appliance.

HOW DO I MAINTAIN MY WOOD BURNING APPLIANCE?

Solid fuel appliances go through continuously changing heat cycles while burning intrinsically “dirty” fossil fuels, so regular cleaning and maintenance will be necessary. Usage of solid fuel stoves / cassettes varies enormously, from those who light their stove daily in the winter to those who just use it on the odd chilly day, so there is no set amount of wear and tear. However all such appliances should have an annual service including a sweep of the flue system; removal, checking & replacement if necessary of baffles and firebricks; checking & replacement of door and glass rope seals; checking & adjustment of the door latch and hinges. Many chimney sweeps are now trained and qualified in appliance as well as flue maintenance and may be able to cover all the above activities.

WHAT FUEL CAN I BURN IN MY WOOD BURNING APPLIANCE?

If a wood burning appliance is fed with soft, rapidly burning fuel, then it may overheat and damage internal components and the flue. Such unsuitable fuels include house coals, manufactured wood such as pallets, furniture offcuts – these will contain oils, resins and other impurities and would burn well on an open fire but too fiercely in an enclosed appliance. Check the following link for tips on the best firewood

All wood must be seasoned before use – a newly cut-down tree will contain up to 80% water, so needs to be split down to suitable size logs and left to dry until the moisture content is around 20%. This will take around two years, or kiln dried wood can be purchased where the drying process has been accelerated.

HOW DO I GET THE BEST EFFICIENCY FROM MY STOVAX FIRE?

All modern appliances are designed to operate with the doors shut (except when refueling), allowing their specific air supply paths to work correctly. The wood burner is only efficient when burning hot, and this is achieved by using the right combination of air supply for the conditions. Primary air feeds in at the base and is useful to start a fire, but is then best closed down entirely with wood burners. Secondary air is fed through unseen channels, superheated as it rises, and then exits into the stove at a higher level and burns fuel particles that would otherwise have escaped unburnt up the flue. Airwash or Tertiary air is similar but feeds in above the door, sending hot air around the glass, again burning fuel that would otherwise deposit on the glass. The relative positioning of the controls is not set in stone – only practice with the individual wood burner will determine the ideal settings.

The critical element of any appliance’s clean and efficient combustion is the flue system. This is outside the control of the appliance manufacturer. Having brought air into the stove efficiently, the products of combustion must then be removed efficiently and it is the flow of air (oxygen) through the fire and up the flue which creates the perfect combustion process. It is the role of the installer to assess a suitable flue system.

WHAT SERVICING DOES MY WOOD BURNING APPLIANCE REQUIRE?

It is important that you have your stove or fire serviced annually. Your retailer can organise a service for you in your area.

WHERE CAN I BUY SPARE PARTS FOR MY STOVAX OR STUV APPLIANCE?

Please contact The Fireplace. Please ensure that you have your serial number readily available when ordering.

You can also visit your nearest retailer who will be happy to purchase a spare part for you.

WHY DOES THE GLASS ON MY FIRE GO BLACK IN USE?

Blackening glass is a result of the fuel not burning cleanly. There can be many reasons for inefficient combustion, clearly visible by soot and tars deposited in the appliance, including the following reasons. If a wood burner is operated with the controls not set as intended, then the fuel will be burning at below optimum. If a stove is “slumbered” for too long, i.e., operated with the controls closed perhaps due to it being too hot, then the fuel will not be able to combust cleanly. If the flue is not creating a good up draught then the same result will happen. Even the weather can have a marked effect on a flue’s propensity to flow hot air upwards, and the wood burner can react differently day by day depending on wind, temperature and air pressure. If the wood is not seasoned, then the moisture which has to be boiled off before there is any energy will cool the firebox and prevent efficient burning.

Modern solid fuel appliances have been tested and approved as being capable of burning the correct fuel to a high standard of cleanliness. If a wood burner is failing to achieve this, then the fuel, the usage and the air supply through the appliance need to be investigated.

GAS

WHAT SERVICING DOES MY GAS HEATING APPLIANCE REQUIRE?

All gas appliances must be serviced annually. This service must be undertaken by a certified gas fitter. Please contact The Fireplace or your local retailer for a recommended gas fitter who is familiar with the brand of your appliance.

WHERE CAN I BUY GAZCO OR JETMASTER FIRE SPARE PARTS?

The Fireplace have a comprehensive range of original Gazco and Jetmaster parts. Please ensure that you have your serial number available as this will enable you to locate the specific model and the suitable spare parts that you are looking for.

The location of your serial number may differ according to your heating appliance. The serial number for your appliance can be located on your appliance’s data plate. Please refer to your instruction manuals for the location of your appliance’s data plate. If you do not have your instruction manual available, you can visit our download library here to download the instruction manuals.

Contact The Fireplace or your local retailer to purchase a spare part for your heating appliance. Find your local retailer here.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RUN A FIRE?

The cost of running a gas fire depends on several factors: the size and efficiency of the unit and the gas utility company chosen. Please note that this information is merely a guide to help you calculate the approximate cost of running a gas fire. By following a few simple steps below, you will have an idea of the approximate running cost of a gas fire:

1. Identify the input rating (kW) of your gas fire or stove.

2. Find out how much you pay for your gas per kW. You can do this by checking your last gas bill or contacting your gas provider. Please note that some homes have different gas tariffs.

3. You can now calculate the cost of running your gas fire or stove per hour. Please have a look at the calculation provided: Appliance Input Rating (kW/hr) x Gas Price per kW= Cost per hour

4. Once you have determined the running cost per hour of your gas appliance. You will now be able to calculate the total running cost. See calculations below:

Total running cost = cost per hour x number of hours in use

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONVENTIONAL AND A BALANCED FLUE SYSTEM?

Conventional chimneys rely on the natural circulation of heated air to expel the products of combustion up your chimney and can work with either open or glass-fronted fires. Air for combustion is supplied from the room the gas fire or stove is installed in.

Balanced flues work in conjunction with glass-fronted fires only. Here the appliance is sealed from the room in which it is installed and a twin-wall pipe vents directly outdoors. Air for combustion is drawn in through the outer pipe whilst the inner pipe removes the combustion gases to the exterior of your property. Depending upon the fire or stove selected, the twin-walled pipe may exit horizontally through an external wall or vertically through the roof.

HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY FOR MY GAS HEATING APPLIANCE AND WHAT DOES IT COVER?

If you would like more information about the warranty of your gas appliance, please visit our warranty page.

WHY ISN'T MY REMOTE CONTROL WORKING?

1. Change the batteries in your remote-control. The battery usage icon on your remote control screen will tell you if the batteries are low or dead.

2. Switch to Duracell or Energizer alkaline batteries. They work best with our remote-control systems.

3. Replace the remote's receiver batteries located in your fireplace or in your remote battery and wall switch. Both your remote and your remote's receiver require batteries.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR FIREPLACE WON’T TURN ON?

Ensure you are operating the remote or wall switch in the proper manner. If you continue to experience issues with lighting the pilot and turning on the fireplace, this can often be the result of low batteries not in the remote handset, but the 4x AA batteries, inside of the fireplace receiver box. Please replace these with Energizer or high quality batteries. Beyond battery replacement further troubleshooting will need to be conducted by a qualified service technician.

WHY DOES MY FIREPLACE MAKE A SERIES OF BEEPS WHEN I TRY TO LIGHT IT?

The series of quick beeps is an indication that the batteries within the unit are critically low. This does not refer to the 9v battery in remote control but rather the 4 x AA batteries inside the fireplace or within the wall box. Refer to your fireplace manual for more information related to replacing batteries.

HOW TO REPLACE THE BATTERIES?

Before changing the batteries, turn the fireplace and pilot light off and allow the unit to cool down. Please refer to the "Replacing Batteries" section of your owner's manual for more information.

CAN I PUT A TV OR ARTWORK ABOVE MY FIREPLACE SAFELY?

Designed to reduce wall surface temperatures, the Gazco Cool Wall Kit is recommended when adding a wall mounted TV, artwork or heat sensitive materials above your fireplace. Available on select Gazco gas fireplaces.

DO I NEED AN ELECTRICIAN TO INSTALL MY ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCE?

No. You just need to connect your fire to the mains via the power socket.

WHERE CAN I BUY SPARE PARTS FOR MY ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCE?

If you are looking for a spare part for your Gazco electric heating appliance, please contact The Fireplace or your local retailer. Please ensure that you have your serial number available as this will allow you to locate the specific spare part and model easily. You will find your serial number located on your data badge. Please note that the location of your data badge may vary according to the model that you have.

HOW LONG IS THE WARRANTY FOR MY ELECTRIC HEATING APPLIANCE AND WHAT DOES IT COVER?

If you would like more information about the warranty of your electric appliance please visit our warranty page here.

HOW DO YOU SET-UP THE REMOTE CONTROL APP FOR AN ELECTRIC FIRE?

Click on Gazco Electric App here.

HOW TO CLEAN & MAINTAIN AN ELECTRIC HEATER?

1) Clean the outer casing. Do not use abrasive cleaners when cleaning the outer casing of your electric appliance. For frames and frets, wipe your appliance with a damp cloth and buff with a lint free duster.

2) Clean the air inlets. Using a soft cloth or the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner, clean the air inlets and outlet grilles regularly. It is essential to regularly clean the air inlets to aid the performance of the appliance. Please note that dust build-up can inhibit efficient performance of the fan and can lead to the safety cut-out being activated. You must also keep the area around the appliance clean and free of fluff, dust or pet hair. In particular, pay close attention to the heater area under the appliance as there may be a build up of dust. You must ensure that this area is free from such debris on a regular basis to prevent build-up.

3) Clean the window glass. For appliances with printed glass, it is best to use a cleaner that does not contain a high alkaline or acidic content which could damage the printed glass surface.
What is your pellet fuel made of?
Wood pellets are small compacted pellets, usually cylindrical/round in shape. They are compacted, so they are especially high density and energy. Wood pellets are predominantly made from sustainably grown Radiata Pine and Douglas Fir pine sawdust and shaving residues. There are no additives glues and our pellets are 100% natural.
How long does a bag of pellet fuel last?
This is dependent on your pellet fire heat settings and personal heating requirements. The general rule of thumb is 1kg will last 1 hour, so our 20kg bags can give up to 20 hours of continuous burning.
How do you clean a pellet fire?
A correctly burning pellet fire should have an active, bright, yellow/orange flame with no smoke. If the flame is lazy, deep orange in colour and has smokey black tips it isn't burning correctly. One of the best things you can do to ensure your fire is burning at its best is to clean it regularly. We also recommend getting your fire professionally serviced once a year or after every ton of pellet fuel burnt. Why clean your pellet fire regularly? It keeps your fire working at its highest efficiency. It's less of a risk and safer to run when it is clean. It prolongs the life of your pellet fire when looked after. Turn off your pellet fire - Before cleaning your pellet fire, let it cool down completely and then unplug from the wall. *Never turn the power off until the fire has cooled down and shut off. If done too early it can cause the safety switches to trip and may require a professional to reset it. Remove all wood pellets from your burner - Whether they are burnt or unburnt, pellets absorb moisture and if they are left there all summer, could cause rusting in your pellet fire. Remove ash - It is not essential to remove the ash but it will make it easier to clean if it isn’t left all summer and means when you get one of those surprise cold snaps, your pellet fire will be ready to go. “When it comes to ash, of interest to gardeners - wood ash is a great source of potassium as wood doesn’t burn hot enough to burn it off so it concentrates in your ashes.” - Pellet fire owner. Thoroughly clean - When cleaning your pellet fire, start by using a stiff brush to sweep away the ash build-up on the inner walls, the heat exchanger, and within all the nooks and crannies. Sweep the ash inside your stove down towards the bottom. If you have an ash collection tray in your fire, you can then carefully dump the rest of the debris you cleaned out of your stove. For the stubborn residue in the burn pot, use a metal scraper. Vacuum - To remove all the remaining residues and dust. Be sure to use cleaning tools that are specific for cleaning ash. You can buy special filters for this. “Don’t use your good vacuum to do it! I blew up my vacuum that way. Get a cheap crappy old one and use that.” - Pellet fire owner. Clean Glass - With everything reattached and the inside of your stove clean, you can brush loose ash from the inside and outside of your stove’s glass, then simply wipe the surface with water and a cloth. Cleaning the glass regularly makes it a lot easier to manage. Book an annual service - Like our cars, we need to look after our pellet fires to get the most life out of them. Summer is a great time to get your pellet fire serviced since it won’t be in use. Getting regular service checks helps prevent damage and any hidden maintenance issues that could cost you more money if left unattended. Burn quality certified fuel - We recommend using ENplus® A1 certified pellets whenever possible. They will burn more efficiently and produce less ash than low-grade pellets, meaning you’ll need to clean your fire less often.
How should I store my pellet fuel?
Follow these three simple storage tips for pellet fuel: Inside - Just like you, our pellets prefer a warm dry environment and do not like moisture or condensation. If left outside they become exposed and although the packaging will protect them to some extent, we cannot guarantee the quality will stay the same. If you have a garage or garden shed that is dry this can be a great place to store the bags until they are ready to be used. Note: Opposite to that, do not store them too close to the fire. Pellet fuel is extremely condensed high energy fuel, and we don’t want the fire to start before they have been placed safely inside your pellet fire. Dry - Our packaging designs offer a breathable, dry environment for the pellet fuel to live until it is ready to be burned. However, if left out in the elements and exposed to moisture and condensation over long periods of time this could break down these barriers and compromise the quality of the product. Elevated - If stored directly on the ground, pellet fuel is more at risk of absorbing moisture from the ground or if there has been rain the water can build up around the base. Note: Even if you have stored them inside in a dry room you never know when a major weather event may happen. It pays to have your bags elevated regardless. As they say, better safe than sorry.
Does a pellet fire require electricity?
Pellet fires do require a small amount of electricity to run (about the equivalent of a light bulb) so will not work during a power cut unless you have an alternative battery source. Thankfully, power outages are not as frequent or as long anymore but in the event that this does happen, you can buy a battery pack to use which will be enough to keep it going. A 12-volt battery or a small generator is often used by our customers for backup and is easily obtained.
How much pellet fuel do I need to heat my home?
If you're heating a large home in the South Island with pellet fuel, you may need more than someone who is heating a smaller dwelling in the North Island. So it's very dependent on your situation. A rule of thumb is 1kg of our pellets will provide approximately one hour burn time on a medium heat setting. However, the best thing to do is try pellets in your pellet fire to understand your heating requirements. Below are a few things that can help you get the most out of your pellet fuel. Ensure your pellet fuel is ENplus® A1 certified. Clean your pellet fire regularly. Store your bags in an optimal environment. Don't buy damaged bags.
What is the difference between clinker and ash fusion?
Although easily mistaken for clinker, ash fusion is a sign of good quality wood fuel. This is caused when ash melts. This means your biomass fuel is burning even hotter than the ash melting temperature so it begins to liquefy. So essentially it's burning twice! Ash fusion looks similar to pumice and is easy to break whereas clinker has a shiny molten look and is rock solid.
Why is ENplus® A1 the best?
ENplus® are a world-leading, transparent and independent certification scheme for wood pellets. From production to delivery, they guarantee quality and combat fraud along the entire supply chain. This certification guarantees the highest quality pellet fuel and that the pellet fuel is manufactured to high standards.
What makes the VisionLINE's Insulated Flue Kit exceptional?
VisionLINE’s Insulated Flue Kit is crafted with high-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology. It enhances your fireplace, maintains indoor air quality and system efficiency, which makes it an excellent solution for homeowners looking for a safe and energy-efficient system.
How does the Insulation Room Sealed Flue Work?
The insulated room sealed flue is designed to enhance the performance of slow combustion heaters, boosting efficiency compared to a typical air-cooled default flue. The heat generated from your fire isn’t lost through the flue system, helping to keep it cool.
Is the Insulated Room Sealed Flue a suitable solution for homes in New Zealand?
Yes, the Insulated Room Sealed Flue can be installed on any slow combustion heater approved for sale within New Zealand.
Can the Insulated Flue Pipe fit into New Zealand homes?
The Insulated Flue Pipe from VisionLINE is designed to promote better draft and lower outside temperatures than typical solid twin skin systems, making it a suitable solution for homeowners through-out New Zealand
Why should I choose VisionLINE's Insulated Flue Kit for my home in New Zealand?
The Insulated Flue Kits from VisionLINE are safe, compliant with the New Zealand standards, optimally performing, durable, aesthetically pleasing, and versatile which makes them the best choice for every New Zealand home.

Ask a Question

If you still have a question, please call us on 09 623 6990, or alternatively, fill in the form below and one of our team will get back to you.

3200TOPICS CREATED
180HAPPY CUSTOMERS
5YEAR OF DEVELOPING
5000ANSWERED QUESTIONS
The Fireplace FAQs - Find the answers to frequently asked questions for wood, pellet, gas and electric fireplaces and heaters. Do electric and gas fires need servicing , why does my wood fire smoke?  We're here to answer all your burning fireplace questions.