b're it upTheres nothing like a replace when it comes to feeling cosy, and there are plenty of options for fuel, e\x01ciency and looks.W hile it looks good, crackles pleasingly andre is powerful enough to produce enough heat for feels cosy, the traditional open replace isthis to work.on its way out due to new restrictions that relate to pollution concerns. Open fireplaces areIts a gasnotoriously inefcient anyway.Flued gas heating is also popular. Its clean, can be very You can, however, now buy highly efcient clean-aireconomical, and can be run off piped natural gas or gas approved versions that comply with new regulationscylinders. Cylinder supply companies can track your and produce up to ve times the heat of the old-styleusage and rell your cylinders when necessary so you re with minimal energy wastage. And they still providenever run out.a cheering, classic ambiance. These wood res haveGas replaces come with or without a glass door and glass fronts and heat control devices, theyre fueleach option works differently. When gas res are open efcient and safe, and although there are still ashes tofronted with a conventional ue, the same low efciency contend with, clean-up is minimal. problem occurs as it does with open wood res. Balance Another reason for the popularity of modern woodflue fires are glass-fronted and draw oxygen from res is that wood, as we all know, is a carbon-neutraloutside the house. Because no heat is lost they are and sustainable form of fuel and a relatively cheap formparticularly efcient and ideal for cooler areas. They have of home heatingespecially if you have access to yourthe added advantage that the ue does not need to go own supply. Strict rules apply around wood burners instraight up so you can put them in more locations in terms of installation. Different councils have differentyour home, often simply uing straight out the back regulations so it pays to check those out. through an external wall. Wetback systems can be installed to harness theA gas replace can be included in a smart house plan res energy, to heat water. This can be effective whenor have its own mobile app and be turned on before you the re is in constant use but it does mean that lessget home.Resene Halfheat is put out by the re. Heat transfer systems are Villa White also popular now but you need to be sure that yourwordsLouise Richardsong et th e lookIn terms of the look of the replace, theres a lot ofThere is also a trend to separate the television and choice, from traditional squarer formats to long sleekreplace experience, and create a media-free spot for models with pebble re beds and individual ame jets. family conversation around the replace.Dramatic see-through units can be placed betweenMost replaces come with a choice of re beds, like two rooms. Long and low is popular, often with alogs or pebbles, and a choice of fascia surrounds to suit marble or concrete hearth. With gas models, you canyour particular decor, for example plain black or chrome. simply install them into the wall, skipping the hearthIf you want a traditional surround, demolition yards altogether. In small spaces such as an apartment thisand online auctions are denitely the places to look. If can make good sense. you cant nd a genuine antique, there are a number of The other big trend right now is framelesscompanies offering very realistic copies, complete with replaces because this lets the interior designer orperiod-style tiles.homeowner create a feature wall with their choice ofAnd if you just love the look of a replace but dont wall coverings and colours that bring out the simpleactually need it as a means of heatingif your house beauty of the re itself. has a heat-pump for examplethere are attractive Some homeowners like to position a television abovereplace units that have the glow of the genuine article, the replace, which is possible with some gas, ethanolusually with a very low-level electric heater. Some can and electric res, and in a limited way with wood res.produce up to 2kW of heat which might be sufcient in You can create an entire feature wall that includes thea smallish space.television, storage and sound system and the replace. ReseneHavoc40'