Gas fires remain extremely popular in UK homes, boasting high-efficiencies, flexible installation, stylish design and, crucially for installers, high margin opportunities – especially when installation, replacement or service work is combined with other gas appliances in the home.

However, too many installers are still not making the most of gas fires. Four out of every five Gas Safe engineers have completed the HTR1 module which means they are registered to work with gas fires and wall heaters, but only a small percentage of those installed, replaced or commissioned a natural gas fire last year.

To help dispel the myths surrounding fires, gas fire manufacturer Valor hosted a discussion of installers, seeking out the opportunities, restrictions and barriers surrounding gas fire installations in the owner-occupied, private rental and social housing sectors.

A panel of engineers were joined by Peter Martin, senior stakeholder manager for Gas Safe, and Shaun Guy, from the Gas Centre showroom and merchant, to discuss a series of topics around gas fires including safety, customer perception, innovation and business opportunities.

Summarising some of the comments from the discussion event, Richard Beaman, commercial director for Valor, gives the top eight reasons why gas fires should be on every installer’s radar:

1.   “Millions of homes have a chimney and gas point”

Whilst there has been a surge in demand for electric fires and solid fuel fires in recent years, around 11 million homes in the UK still have a chimney and a gas point. With that comes the potential to invest in a new breed of gas fires that combines convenience with the ultimate in flame realism and high heat output.

2.   “People want real flames”

Since the decline of solid fuel as the main heating source, gas fires have become the ‘heart’ of the British home. Unbeatable when it comes to aesthetics, they offer consistent warmth and comfort. It’s clear from customers that the integrity of the flame effect will always be in demand – after all, it is this that sets gas fires apart from their electric counterparts.

3.   “They’re more efficient than they used to be”

Gas-guzzling decorative gas fires from the 1980’s are now a thing of the past. The new generation of gas fires is capable of delivering heat efficiencies of up to 89% and heat outputs of 4.8kW – without sacrificing realism and authenticity. For some living rooms, this is more than enough to act as a primary source of heat.

4.   “Gas is cheaper than electric”

Natural gas is still the lowest cost fuel supplied for the same kW usage and is kinder to the environment with life cycle CO₂ emissions nearly half that of mains electricity.

For those homes trapped in fuel poverty, the low running costs provided by a gas fire as a single room heater is a welcome relief. Households can benefit from all the warmth and the comfort of a gas fire without having to worry about excessive bills.

5.   “Our homes are run on gas”

With 84% of homes in the UK relying on gas for their heating and hot water – around 20 million households – it’s unlikely that such an infrastructure will be abandoned overnight. However, there is still a need to invest in energy efficient appliances to reduce our overall consumption of gas.

6.    “You don’t even need a chimney”

Improvements in technology ensure that even those homes without a chimney can enjoy the benefits of gas. There is now a wide range of balanced flue gas fires, which simply require an outside wall for installation, offering some of the most energy efficient models on the market. For installers, it’s a key innovation which is helping to ensure the longevity of gas fires in modern homes

7.    “If you’re already in the house, it makes sense”

Many installers are quick to point out the number of times they go into a house to work on a boiler or cooker and pass a gas fire on the way. Once already in the home, it’s an easy bolt-on job and younger engineers in particular, who did not necessarily grow up working on gas fires day-in, day-out in the same way their older counterparts did, must not pass up the opportunities.

8.    “Much more convenient than a solid fuel stove”

Solid fuel stoves may be proving popular but with a gas model like Valor’s Ridlington and Brunswick gas stoves the customer can control the heat, turn it off in an instant and does not have to worry about buying and storing fuel, or cleaning the stove. All of this, of course, without losing any of the visual appeal, stylish finish or flame profile.