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Gas Fires

Gas Stoves and Fireplaces from the UK’s leading manufacturers.

At Suffolk Stoves we understand that wood burners are not always practical for many people, and so we have 3 models on display at our showroom. Here at Suffolk Stoves we have a Stockton 5, a Huntingdon 20, and a Riva Vision Midi. All of these gas fires are connected up to LPG so that you can view the various effects in person. They are all using a balanced flue.

Gas stoves are the closest you can get to that genuine wood or coal fire effect, and we welcome you to our showroom to get an idea of the true impact that a gas stove can have on your space.


Please see below for a list of frequently asked questions.

I don’t have a chimney. Can I install a gas stove or fire in my house?

Yes. For homes without a working chimney, many stoves are available as balanced flue models. Balanced flue models work in conjunction with glass-fronted models only.

What is a Gas Safe Engineer?

The Gas Safe Register is the official list of gas engineers who are qualified to work safely and legally on gas appliances in United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Guernsey. Replaced by CORGI, this is now a legal requirement that gas engineers must be qualified to do so; before it is deemed safe for them to inspect the gas work they have carried out.It is important that gas engineers, who fit, fix and service appliances such as boilers, fires; ovens and hobs must be a Gas Safe registered engineer. Otherwise, if they carry on the work, they are breaking the law and could put lives at risk.

By visiting www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk or telephoning 0800 408 5500 you can find out or check to see if your engineer is Gas Safe Registered.

Before proceeding with any gas work to be carried out in your home, always make sure that you ask for the engineer’s ID.

Check the following sides of the engineer’s ID card:

1. The licence number, 2.The start and expiry dates of their registration 3. The work your engineer is registered to do 4. The engineer’s up-to-date qualifications. If you are a resident of the Republic of Ireland, your gas heating appliance must be fitted by a Bord Gais Registered Service Engineer.

There is no mains gas in our area. Can I still fit a gas fire or stove in my house?

Many gas fires or stoves are available in LPG versions so you can operate them from either bottled gas or from a larger tank in the garden. LPG is readily available in most rural areas.

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.

Can I convert my wood burning heating appliance to run on gas?

No. Although stove manufacturers offer gas versions of wood burning stoves and fires; it is not possible to convert existing wood burners.

How much does it cost to run a gas stove or fire?

The cost of running a gas fire or stove 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 or stove. By following a few simple steps below, you will have an idea of the approximate running cost of a gas fire or stove:

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

For example, if you have a balanced flue Riva2 530 gas fire, which has an input rating of 6.6kW and your house tariff is 4.6p (pence per kWh). The cost per hour of your gas appliance would be 30.36p. See the calculation below:

6.6kW (Appliance Input Rating) x 4.6p (Gas Price per kW) = 30.36p (Cost per hour)

So, if you use your gas appliance for 2 hours a day. The total running cost of it would be:

30.36p (cost per hour) x 2 hours (number of hours in use) = 60.72p for 2 hours.

Whether you are looking for a contemporary or traditionally styled gas fire or stove, Waveney Stoves has a wide range of highly efficient models to suit your budget and home.Please visit or call us for more information.

What type of chimney or flue system do I need?

Today, it is not a necessity to install a gas fire or stove into a traditional chimney setting with a conventional flue; many gas fired appliances offer you the option of a balanced flue system which will exit discreetly from your property via a twin-wall pipe.

Conventional Flue Conventional flue systems are easily recognisable as either a conventional brick or stone chimney, pre-fabricated or pre-cast chimney system. Should your home have none of these at present, it is usually possible to have a pre-fabricated system installed in your home if required.

Brick/Stone Chimney (Class 1)

The chimney stack rises well above the roof line and is topped by a traditional chimney pot or gas terminal. This type of chimney relies on the natural circulation of heating air to expel the products of combustion up your chimney.

Pre-fabricated Flues (Class 1 & 2)

You will see a metal flue cowl on your roof. Some are all metal whilst others may terminate through a short rectangular pot (but without a chimney stack). These flues create the same circulation of heated air as a brick or stone chimney.

Pre-cast Flue (Class 2)

Many modern homes have been built with such flues. You can readily identify them by either a metal flue cowl or a raised ridge terminal on your roof. The natural circulation of heated air expels the products of combustion.

These flues tends to be very shallow in depth so a slimmer fire is often required. Deep appliances however may be able to be installed with the use of either a spacer kit or deeper rebate into the fireplace.

Balanced Flue (No chimney required)

Balanced flues work in conjunction with Gazco’s Glass Fronted gas stoves or fires. The appliance is completely sealed from the room into which it is installed (so there are no draughts and heating efficiency is increased) and a twin-wall pipe vents directly to an outside wall.

Air for combustion is drawn in through the outer pipe whilst the inner pipe removes the combustion gases to the exterior of the property.

Depending on the stove or fire selected, the twin-walled pipe may exit horizontally through an external wall or vertically through the roof.

Powered Flue (No chimney required) Chimney Image A powered flue uses an extractor unit mounted to vent the combustion gases directly outside. This means that your gas stove or fire does not have to be installed against an external wall, so it can be located in more rooms around your home. A mains electricity supply is needed to operate this system.

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 can I compare heating efficiencies of gas stoves?

Efficiency is assessed by measuring the heat output from an appliance in kW against the gas input in kW.For example, a Gazco Huntingdon 30 with balanced flue has an input of 4.10kW and output of 3.28kW, making it 80% efficient. Further, as a general guide, balanced flue versions tend to be slightly more efficient than conventional flue versions.

Do you recommend a CO (Carbon Monoxide) detector for my gas heating appliance?

Yes. Any additional protection you can provide for your family has to be worthwhile. For extra protection and safety, all conventional flue gas fires incorporate an ODS (Oxygen Depletion Sensor) device, which stops the gas flow should the carbon monoxide in your room reach an unsafe level due to any malfunction.

Where can I buy spare parts, should the need arise?

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, please visit the manufacturer’s website to download a copy.

What servicing does my gas heating appliance require?

All gas appliances must be serviced annually.This service must be undertaken by a GasSafe (Great Britain), CORGI (Northern Ireland) or Bord Gàis (Republic of Ireland) approved engineer.