Due to inflation and rising energy prices, many homeowners are looking into alternative ways of heating their homes. A bioethanol fireplace can be used as a supplement to your existing heating system — heating a room relatively cheaply and in an eco-friendly manner. Bioethanol is produced from organic materials such as sugar beets, corn, and potatoes, making it a clean and sustainable fuel source. You can read more about bioethanol here.

Does a Bioethanol Fireplace Provide Heat?

Bioethanol fireplaces are a great way to add cosiness and warmth to your home. They create an inviting atmosphere and are great for entertaining and relaxing. But can a bio fireplace actually provide heat?

The short answer is yes — and let us elaborate a little further.

All bioethanol fireplaces give off heat, as the flame is created by real fire. Typically, bio fireplaces have a heat output of between 2–3 kW, which is roughly half of what a traditional wood-burning stove provides. Whilst this means they are not suitable as a primary heat source, they are perfectly capable of taking the edge off a cool evening or supplementing your central heating in autumn and spring when you don't need your heating on full.

Although it may be tempting to choose the bio fireplace with the highest heat output, it is important to consider the size of the room it will be placed in. A bio fireplace does not require a chimney or flue — instead it uses the oxygen in the room to burn. It is therefore important that the size of the fireplace is not too large relative to the size of the room where you plan to use it. The recommended room size is listed on all our products, but if you are still unsure, feel free to contact us.

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Using a Bioethanol Fireplace as a Supplement to Your Heating System

A bioethanol fireplace works best as a supplementary heat source in the following situations:

\nAutumn and spring: During the transitional seasons, your central heating may feel like too much, but the evenings can still be chilly. A bio fireplace is perfect for adding a few extra degrees of warmth without turning on the full heating system.
\nSingle rooms: If you spend most of your time in one room, a bio fireplace can heat that space efficiently without the need to heat the entire home.
\nRooms with poor insulation: A bio fireplace can help compensate for heat loss in rooms that are harder to keep warm.
\nReducing energy bills: By supplementing your central heating with a bio fireplace, you can lower your reliance on gas or electricity, potentially reducing your energy costs.

As a general rule, 1 kW of heat output is suitable for every 10 square metres of space. So for a room of 20 square metres, a bio fireplace with a heat output of around 2 kW would be ideal as a supplement.

Is a Bioethanol Fireplace Easy to Use?

There is a wide range of different bio fireplaces available on the market, so it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. The two main categories are manual and automatic (also known as remote-controlled).

Manual bio fireplaces are lit using a lighter, whilst automatic fireplaces are lit by pressing a button or using a remote control. In addition, automatic bio fireplaces feature built-in safety sensors that are not included in manual models.

Both types of bio fireplace are perfectly safe to use, as long as they are used correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Watch our guides below to see how each type works in practice:

How to Use a Manual Bioethanol Burner

How to Use an Automatic Bioethanol Burner

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Choosing between a bioethanol fireplace and an electric fireplace can be difficult, as there are pros and cons to both. This guide aims to provide a clear overview of each option to help you make the right choice for your home.

Electric Fireplace

Electric fires have gained increasing interest in recent years, mainly due to how easy they are to install and maintain. They are also a cost-efficient way of heating a room. However, they do not have the same heating capabilities as a traditional fireplace — and crucially, they do not produce a real flame.

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Pros of an Electric Fire

No dangerous fumes
Does not emit soot or ash
Does not require a chimney
Easy and quick to start
Good heating effect
No fire risk

Cons of an Electric Fire

Requires an electricity connection
Does not produce real flames
Lower durability than other fireplaces
Often more expensive to run

The biggest drawback of an electric fire is the lack of a real flame. Many people associate a fireplace with a living, flickering flame — and whilst some newer, high-end electric fires attempt a realistic flame effect, it will never replicate the relaxing atmosphere of a real flame.

Bioethanol Fireplace

Many people are still discovering the possibilities of a bioethanol fireplace. Unlike electric fires, a bioethanol fireplace produces an authentic living flame by combusting organic fuel — without emitting any dangerous fumes, soot, or ash.

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Pros of a Bioethanol Fireplace

Authentic living flame
Does not require a chimney
Burns on organic, eco-friendly fuel
Does not emit soot, ash, or dangerous fumes
Only requires bioethanol to ignite
Can serve as a secondary heat source
Very portable and mobile
Suitable for small rooms and flats — requires little to no ventilation

Cons of a Bioethanol Fireplace

Requires refilling from time to time
Ongoing fuel costs can be higher than running an electric fire
Always produces heat when burning — cannot be used purely for decoration in warm weather

The biggest advantage of a bioethanol fireplace is the authentic living flame — something neither an electric fire nor a gas fire can truly replicate. The real flame is what most people associate with having a fireplace, and bioethanol delivers exactly that.

Conclusion

Electric and bioethanol fireplaces share a number of advantages — both are easy to install, require no chimney, and produce no ash or soot. However, the key difference lies in the ambiance and warmth that only an authentic living flame can provide.

Bioethanol fireplaces also offer exceptional portability. Freestanding and tabletop models can be moved wherever you need them — whether that's outside on a warm evening or in the living room on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The possibilities are endless. Whilst both types of fireplace have their merits, only a bioethanol fireplace can give you the real, living flame that truly makes a fireplace feel like a fireplace.

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Fireplace Inspiration

Can a bio fireplace be used as a supplementary heat source?

Bioethanol fire or electric fire?