Gas, A Clean Fuel

There is a great deal of debate about fuels, ranging from Carbon pollution, cost of extraction and the effect on the environment. Gas is and always will be a very clean fuel. For example, when burning wood or similar solid fuel, small particles will be released (smoke). These are unburnt parts of fuel which are then wasted, you will also be left with waste by-products (ash).But when burning gas there are no particles released and your flue system stays, more or less, clean at all times.

Gas systems also allow you to easliy regulate the temperature in the house. With DRU gas fires this is all done via a Thermostatic remote control. All their systems are calibrated in the factory to ensure your fire runs as efficiently as possible. Wasting as little energy as possible and ensuring the maximum amount of heat is coming into the property rather than heating the outside world.

Gas is also, per kWh one of the cheapest sources of energy. It's no wonder really, why more and mroe consumers, both across the UK & Europe are choosing efficient, clean and attractive gas fires designed by Drugasar.

Adding to the appeal of DRU gas fires is that Europe is rich with gas, ourselves in the UK, as well as Norway, Holland and Russia all benefit from large reserves of gas, with expectations that further large reserves will be discovered in the future. Products such as gas fireplaces are becoming more and more efficienct, with up to 87% efficiency on the Metro 130. And with increasing advances in insulation, less and less heat is required to heat our homes. It is expected that for at least the next 100 years we will have sufficient gas reserves. However that does not mean we can take it for granted. This is also why Drugasar are always researching more and more techniques to extract more heat from the gas energy. One such addition is the MaxVent system popular with the Global range of gas fires. The complete Drugasar Range Of Gas Fires are available from Fireplace Megastore

Drugasar Explain The Balanced Flue System

The balanced flue system is the technology behind most DRU gas fires and gas wall heaters. DRU engineers from the Netherlands invented the system in the 1930s. It has since become the industry standard for high efficiency and performance. Many companies have copied the original system, but none have been able to match the superior standards that are the hallmark of DRU products.

So what is the balanced flue system and how does it benefit your home or workplace?

Comfortable and efficient

Most conventional gas fires have an open-fronted fireplace that is inset into a standard sized chimney. The air that the fire uses to create its flames is drawn from inside your living room and waste products are expelled up the chimney. (See drawing 1)

So while this kind of fire may be pleasing to the eye, it may not be so kind to your breathing or your bank balance! It requires constant ventilation to keep it burning (ever heard the saying ‘It’s stuffy in here’?). And because of this it consumes more energy and fuel than you can reasonably afford.

In contrast, a balanced flue gas fire is room-sealed using a glass front. It has a sophisticated flue that uses natural convection to draw the air from outside the building for combustion and expels it back to the outside through a separate compartment of the flue. (See drawing 2)

So there is no loss of comfort and minimal fuel consumption. And because the fire is not open at the front it is much safer to use.

No chimney – no problem

DRU balanced flue fires and wall heaters can be installed with or without a conventional chimney.

If there is no chimney in your home, the flue can be fitted through an outside wall or through the roof. It is possible for the flue to be 4 metres long horizontally or 10 metres high vertically. So you have a great deal of flexibility when deciding where to locate your fire.

If, on the other hand, you would like to have all the advantages of balanced flue technology, combined with the aesthetic appeal of a traditional chimney, this can be done! All you will need is a special flue liner installed in your chimney, using the chimney shaft to replicate the balanced flue effect.

A further advantage of this is that your fire can be installed in the classic way, using a fire surround to look like a traditional fireplace. Alternatively it can be mounted further up the chimneybreast as a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ or ‘hanging’ fire.

Either way, you will enjoy the combination of a beautiful fire that uses modern, efficient technology to bring you endless comfort and pleasure.

For the full range of Drugasar Fires, ideal for almost any home,with or without a chimney visit http://www.fireplacesupermarket.com/drugasar

Office and industrial heating

DRU gas heating systems are used extensively in offices, workshops, industrial units and even large factories throughout the UK. They can be used as the main source of heating for offices and industrial premises. They can also be used for supplementary heating in extensions to buildings or in portable accommodation.
DRU office and industrial heating systems can be found in a wide variety of commercial premises, including a central London hedge fund company, light industrial workshops in many inner city locations, offices and studios by the River Thames in Twickenham and the distribution centre of an international tool manufacturer in Nottinghamshire.
Heating for Leisure
DRU heaters have been installed in many leisure environments, such as sports halls, visitor centres and even in zoos. This is because DRU Art and Style series heaters can be run on LPG and need no electrical supply, so they are suitable for remote sites, portable buildings, livestock accommodation and animal houses.
Heating for Military
DRU heaters have been installed in a large number of military establishments, from the far South West of England to the far North of Scotland. They are also used in British Forces headquarters in Cyprus and other overseas locations.
They provide robust, efficient and reliable heating for military barracks, which are often in remote locations and subject to harsh weather conditions. DRU Art series heaters are most suitable for these kinds of premises as they can be run on LPG and require no electrical supply. So there is no danger of heat loss in the event of power failure.

Heaters for all applications
The DRU range of office and industrial heaters includes balanced flue models with heat outputs from 2 – 11 kw and powered flue models with forced air convection from 7 – 16 kw. They are available in a wide selection of colours and designs to compliment plush offices or more functional industrial and workshop environments.


Contemporary gas, electric and wood fires
DRU is Europe’s leading manufacturer of contemporary gas fires which, as well as looking great in the home, can add warmth, comfort and style to hotels, pubs, restaurants and even office receptions! To see the full range of DRU gas electric and wood burning fires, visit: http://www.fireplacemegastore.co.uk
Heating Services
DRU provides a wide range of services for office and industrial heating throughout the UK. Operating through a national network of DRU approved GAS SAFE registered heating installers, we provide free surveys, consultations, installations, warranty work and servicing. You can contact us about servicing your existing DRU heaters. We also stock spare parts for many older and obsolete models.

Drugasar Fire Featured On Grand Designs

Many of you may have noticed the fire on the latest episode of Grand Designs shown last Wednesday(21st September), if not you can catch up here. Kevin McCloud mets Paul and Penny Denby, who are demolished their mock-Georgian home on an exclusive south London estate to replace it with a contemporary mansion.
The fire you can see in the background, the minimalist hole-in-the-wall style fire built into an opening with two sides exposed and a pebble fuel effect.

Fires|Fireplaces|Stoves can confirm that the fire in this episode was actually none other than a Drugasar Metro 100XT balanced flue gas fire.
This stunning fire is fully enclosed on two sides with the choice of either carrera pebble or log fuel effect. Shown on the program with the pebble fuel effect and the flames dancing across the top.
This balanced flue gas fire develops up to 7.6kW of heat output on natural gas with a stunning efficiency of up to 70%, featuring automatic remote control as standard this fire fits perfectly with the post-modernist, contemporary style the house was built in, while also being functional with the high heat output probably more than adequate to heat the double height open living space it was situated in.

Available as both a right and left-handed versions the fire can be installed in a variety of situations, particularly across the corner and one side of a feature chimney breast for that ultimate impact.
Just as with the other Metro fires, the Slim Line Metro 100XT/2 uses the Vario Burner® technique that guarantees a natural flame effect and high efficiency. The unique burner divides the fire across the entire breadth and depth of the fire in a zig-zag fashion. Opt for the Cera rear wall for more dynamic flames.

For further details of this fire please click here

New Suites From Drugasar

Freshly imported from Holland, Drugasar, famous for its stunningly contemporary hole in the wall gas fires have recently released the Cara and the Grace suites based around the incredible popular Global 70XT.

They have now launched a new model, the Global 40, this new member of the Global range is smallest of the range, it would now fit into a standard 18inch opening!
To completement this new fire and its size, Drugasar have also launched a range of surrounds to fit the Global 40, these surrounds are designed for homeowners wanting a luxury fireplace solution without paying the kind of prices one would pay for the likes of Montpellier or even perhaps other Drugasar Fires.

The Global 40 is the first inset fire with the optional Ceraglass interior. This highly polished, heat resistant glass reflects the flame and adds that extra feel of depth to the fire.
There is also the option for a natural stone interior for those looking for a more rustic look, designed for a conventional flue the Global 40 (subject to the condition of your chimney) can be installed without a costly flue liner.

Operated by remote control and available in either natural gas or LPG, the Global 40 is a stunning inset fire with a maximum heat output of 3.3kW

The surrounds available with the Global 40 include the Aura and the Eclipse. Both of these British made solid stone surrounds feature downlights for that added feel of quality, while the Aura Surround is more of a traditional feel with natural cream stome surround and hearth with a contrasting black back panel drawing attention to the fire in the centre. Even when the fire is off this surround looks stunning, the downlights illuminate the fire itself and help the fireplace surround return to its prime as the focal point of the room.

The Eclipse surround is a slightly more modern surround with a striking black granite surround and hearth and cream stone back panel, again complemented with the downlights drawing attention to the fire in the centre, with both of these surrounds coming in at just a touch under 48inch shelf width they are small enough to fit in some of the smaller living spaces without dominating.

These fires are set to appear on most retailers websites in the coming days and are sure to be "hot property" when the heating season arrives

And now for the Chorus!

Everyone wants to create the ideal warm, inviting atmosphere for their home; what better way to achieve this than with the glow of an elegant fire? The stunning Chorus CF fire from Paragon is just what is needed to add a homely feel to a modern interior. The gas fire allows you to create a designer look with none of the mess and cleaning that comes with an open fireplace!

The beautiful Chorus is a deep and large fire so it produces an impressively tall flame with an attractive glow; a real eye-catcher! The fire comprises a glass fascia and realistic log-bed giving it the feel of an authentic fire with a modern twist. Installation is designed to be straightforward - it is available as a hole-in-the-wall installation and can be fitted into any standard chimney breast with either Class I or Class II flues. There is also no need for the chimney to be lined; saving you time and money.

As well as its striking good looks, the Chorus CF has much to offer in terms of efficiency. Fuelled by natural gas, and with an input of 5.5KW and output of 4.2KW of both radiated and convected heat, the fire achieves an unbelievably high efficiency of 84%; providing this stylish look at an affordable price. This modern fire is controlled by an infra-red remote control which lights the pilot light as well as the fire, not only saving energy and carbon emissions but making your life easier as well!

The curved glass fascia is almost completely unique amoung gas fires and looks stunning, bringing the fire into the room while also not sacrificing any important floorspace. The elegant curve of the fascia gives reference to smaller electric fires such as the Bemodern Orlando while also offering a more realistic fuel effect with real gas flames and a heat output that will happily heat even some of the more spacious living spaces.

The Paragon Chorus conventional flue gas fire is now on display for your viewing pleasure at the Fireplace Megastore at a price (which we're not allowed to disclose) that I'm sure exceptional value for money.

Not for DIY

Undertaking home improvements without the input of a professional can help save money, but it can also result in a poor quality finish and be more costly when involving complicated work.

Installations of features such as a fireplace or stove are better left to professional tradesmen as their expertise will not only guarantee safety for users, but also minimise the need for remedial work due to poor execution.

DIY has long been associated with men, but Britain's women are against their partners meddling, with 61 per cent admitting in a poll that they would rather call in a professional than have them doing the work.

According to the study by MyHammer, nearly half of the women questioned dread their partner doing any DIY, while 58 per cent said they could only rely on them for the very basic tasks.

MyHammer's Gerrit Mueller said: "If you are not terribly skilled it can be more cost effective to pay for work to be done to be sure of a professional job and save money in the long run.

Stylish gas fireplaces can be obtained from specialist online retailers, some of whom may provide professional fitters.

Crystal Fires Turn 21!

In 1990 two brothers, Chris, a gas engineer now with over 30 years of experience and Ian, a skilled sheet metal worker, combined their expertise and opened a retail outlet in Liverpool selling fires made by Ian to be then installed by Chris.

Over the years Crystal Fires have worked with the British Gas Testing House for their product development, approvals and licensing and have gone from strength to strength, winning awards on the way for their original innovative designs.

21 years on Crystal Fires are one of the market leaders due to an extensive range of contemporary and traditional Living Flame gas fires, always with the main focus on build quality and product efficiency. This is demonstrated in abundance with the release of their new glass fronted Manhattan and Miami hole in the wall fires.

Directors quote;
“We have gone from retailing in Liverpool out of a small fireplace showroom to manufacturing in an extensive factory overlooking the historic Aintree Racecourse, supplying our fires to retailers nationwide. Fireplace showrooms like to sell our fires because they know that every single Crystal Fire has been designed, manufactured, assembled, tested and packed entirely by ourselves in Great Britain, and that is why we can confidently offer our Five Year Guarantee.”

Designing A Contemporary Living Room

We all want a stunning living room, it's one of the rooms you spend the most time in and, if you're something of a social person ( I know I am ) you host many a friend or guest in the living room for social events.
With this in mind and news from some of my friends in the industry that the newly launched House2Home Megastore has just launched some more furniture in conjunction with BM Furniture we thought we'd plan our ideal living room! We have based it around the typical new-build semi-detached property. On average measuring 16feet by 16 feet, including a staircase to the first floor on the connecting wall and the front door. As with most new build properties our "dream home" doesn't feature a chimney or a chimney breast. But we've got some ideas of what to put inside our living room.

Below you'll see the plan of the room complete with staircase with the wall at the bottom of the image and left hand side external walls.First things first, lets start with the fire! We wanted to create a contemporary look and feel and nothing shouts contemporary like a Hole-In-The-Wall fire! Without a chimney breast thou we're limited to balanced flue fires. Due to the size of the room we didnt want anything in a massive false chimney breast that would dominate the room. So we decided on the Kinder Limours (shown right). With it's contemporary graphite fascia and contrasting steel trim surrounding the aggregate stone effect and flames in the centre, combined with the wall-mounting plate meant that we recess the fire into a slimline chimney breast, further emphasising the fire as a focal point in the room, rather than risk the possibility of losing it in the large wall.
On the left you can see a mock up we did of the Limours on our living room wall, as I think you'll agree we think it would look fab! (Looks a bit lonely but we're on our way to furnishing a lovely living room)
Offering a whopping 4.2kW heat output and efficiency rating of 87% the Limours would allow us to turn the heating down for the rest of the house and just enjoy the warmth from the fire in a cold winter's evening.
Now for the sofa... One that caught our eye was the Dante from BM furniture and House2Home Megastore, this stunning leather corner group would be perfect to create that enclosed seating area feel while not dominating the room itself. Made of high grade category 10-35 or category 55 leather, the Dante is both a stylish and contemporary corner group, can either be used in the corner of a room or as we will be using it below to create an almost enclosed seating area around the fire. We also think it would create a nice social area, especially gathered around the fire, enjoying the warmth on a cold winters evening.

But obviously the room is far from complete with just a sofa and a fireplace, (as nice as they are!) We finished the room off with an Optia Black Wool Rug in front of the sofa to contrast the white leather and to offer something warm and fuzzy under-foot contrasting the cool feel of the wood laminate flooring.
The room is finished off with the Ponderosa style coffee table, CD/DVD unit and television stand in waxed pine, offering a completementary wood finish to that of the laminate floor.

Overall we think we've created a stunning contemporary living space that still offers that warmth you'd look for in your living room. We hope you agree and would like to thank FireplaceMegastore and House2Home Megastore for offering their help with our little project!

Drugasar Metro 150 Balanced Flue Gas Fire

New from quality manufacturer Drugasar is the Metro 150, the latest addition to the hugely popular Metro range, a breath-taking 1.5 metre wide viewing window and state of the art reflexive black glass interior create a a bold design statement and create a very stunning and contemporary feel.

The unique vario-burner system from Drugasar means that unlike other Hole-In-The-Wall gas fires where there is just one single burner running in a straight line across the fire, the Metro 150's Vario-Burner® system zig-zags it's way across the entire breadth and depth of the fire, creating the look and feel of an actual log-burning fire, especially when the ceramic log fuel effect begins to glow.



As you can see in the above video, of the Metro 150's little brother, the Metro 130 with the black glass effect, this really adds to the overall look and feel of the fire, creating the illusion of even more depth to the fire and reflecting back some more of that coveted warm glow back into the room while not compromising on appearance.

Offering a substantial heat output of 11Kw, in both natural gas and LPG, this balanced flue gas fire will provide enough heat to warm even some of the largest living spaces as well as featuring fully-automatic remote control with temperature display as standard allowing control of the fire from across the other side of the room.

Look out for the Metro 150 balanced flue gas fire appearing in the lobbies of hotels, restaurants and larger living spaces across the country very soon.

Drugasar Update

A couple of week ago we paid a visit to our friends at Drugasar and their Innovations Roadshow, they had some very exciting news, they adding to their Metro range, with more details to follow as soon as it is launched!

They also shared with us the below image of one of thier Metro Fires with the Ceraglass interior! I think it really adds something that isn't quite matched by the standard black or natural interior. The flames reflecting the warm glow back into the room add that extra depth that makes the flames even more alluring! Although it is a little extra I think it would certainly add that extra wow factor! While the natural interior certainly gives the traditional log fire feel the relfexive black glass interior adds a very modern and cutting edge finish.

We also had a demostration of the Drugasar PowerVent® system that will allow your Drugasar balanced flue fire to be installed almost anywhere in your property, allowing even more flexibility to that already offered by the standard balanced flue system. But we will have more news about each product as they are officially launched. For now, we leave you with a video of the Metro 100XT Tunnel, what better way to make a design statement and separate two rooms than to use the Metrol 100XT Tunnel.

Checking your gas man's credentials

By Susannah Streeter, Business reporter, BBC News

The cost of fixing botched work done by illegal gas fitters is costing customers up to £100m a year, according to the Gas Safe Register.

It said 250,000 illegal jobs were carried out annually and one in five of those inspected are found to be immediately dangerous.

The register replaced the Corgi registration scheme in April 2009.

It is urging customers to check that recommended engineers have the right qualifications.

50% carbon monoxide

Jan Collins from Cheshire tried to save money when she hired a fitter to install a gas fire in the dining room of her converted barn.

He worked for a registered gas engineering company, but he was doing the job for them on the side, more cheaply.

However, he was not qualified to put in a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) fire and installed it incorrectly.

''I started getting very bad headaches and very bad nosebleeds and was really quite lethargic," Mrs Collins said.

"The chimney sweep was the first to alarm me when he did a test showing that 50% of the carbon monoxide was coming back into the room.

"The only thing that saved me was the size of the room. If it had been a standard room with an eight-foot ceiling and a door then I absolutely would not be alive today.''

A gas inspector confirmed the fire had five major defects, all of which were potentially fatal.

Mrs Collins's fitter was eventually prosecuted.

Check in advance

It is a legal requirement for gas engineering businesses and individual fitters to be on the register.

About 120,000 engineers are on it and a sample of their work is assessed to make sure they are safe.

The register also has a record of which appliances each fitter is qualified to work on.

''What we want people to do is take a little bit of care and check they are using a registered person," said Paul Johnstone, chief executive of the Gas Safe Register.

"Ask for ID at the door and even before they arrive it is very simple to check they have the right qualifications by going onto our website or phoning us.

Getting a quote

There are warnings that even registered gas fitters may not always offer the best level of service.

Which? says it has been contacted by people who have used gas engineers but who have had continuing problems for years before they have been identified and corrected.

''Being on the Gas Safe register is no guarantee in terms of cost effectiveness, although it may be good in terms of competency," said Matt Bath, a Which? spokesman.

"To make sure you are getting the best possible deal and are not locked into an unnecessary contract the best thing to do is to get three good quotes from qualified fitters.

"Each quote should show a clear breakdown of what the engineer will deliver as part of the service,'' Mr Bath added.

'Putting it right'

Jan Collins still regrets not making the right checks on the engineer she hired to do her gas work.

She wasted thousands of pounds, but could also have lost her life.

Paul Johnstone of Gas Safe register said that 18 people died last year after gas appliances were installed or repaired badly, adding: "That's 18 deaths too many'.

"The cost of fixing botched jobs has also soared," he added.

"Customers may spend thousands of fitting appliances and when they've been fitted incorrectly, it costs on average an extra 25% on top of the initial cost to put it right,'' he added.

DRU Art Heaters For Studios And Workshops

Workspace group owns and manages over 100 business centres, situated in prime locations throughout the capital. It's portfolio includes offices, warehouses, workshops as well as industrial units and studio space, catering for the small to medium sized companies in a wide range of industries.

A typical Workspace development is the Riverside Business Park in Wandsworth. Originally an old AirFix building, Riverside offers a range of uses from light industrial to office and studio space bringing together both creative and manufacturing industries. Workspace has specified the DRU Art series balances flue gas wall heaters for many of the workspaces at Riverside. The heaters offer an efficient and flexible heating solution that are robust, practical and economical, ideal for both studio and industrial spaces. Featuring the classic Drugasar Balanced Flue System drawing air from outside the building for combustion. This makes them quick and easy to fit, and comfortable and economical to operate They are available in a number of sizes ranging from just 2kW for a smaller studio or office up to 10kW for some of the larger industrial units.

How To Choose A New Boiler

It might not be as exciting as the new Cappuccino Maker or the Wide Screen TV but the boiler is one of the most important pieces of technology in your home. 4Homes have got together with www.house.co.uk to bring you a guide to the world of hot water and warm homes.

There's the mournful shaking of the head, the quick sucking in of air between the teeth and then the phrase every home owner dreads "Oooh dear. You're going to need a new boiler here and no mistake".

It's enough to strike a chill into the stoutest heart. However not only are boilers probably less expensive than you think they're also a key part of the home.

With a good boiler you can have a plentiful supply of heating and hot water provided efficiently and economically. An old or unsuitable boiler is likely to leave you with ever increasing heating bills, while making you vulnerable to a system that is unable to provide hot water to more than one outlet at the same time (we've all been there - the shower goes cold as someone starts doing the washing up in the kitchen) or packs up completely if someone dares try to have a bath while the heating is on.

The Energy Saving Trust recommend that you should think about replacing your boiler after 15 years. Whilst boilers beyond this age can often still function, their effectiveness and efficiency becomes reduced.

Boilers over fifteen years old can have an average efficiency of around 65%, this is compared to over 90% efficiency offered by "A" rated condensing boilers from British Gas.

The first thing to decide when choosing a boiler is what sort of fuel you're going to use - town gas, LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) or oil. Then you need to decide on the size of the boiler, measured in BTU (British Thermal Unit) or Kilowatts, the number of radiators, the type of hot water system and whether you're planning to upgrade your system.

How To Choose

It is important to take advice (preferably from a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas, or an OFTEC registered engineer for oil) before deciding which boiler is best for your home.

Don't install a boiler yourself. It must be installed by a qualified engineer and inspected regularly. It is not sufficient that the owner of the company be Gas Safe registered, the person fitting your boiler must be able to demonstrate that he/she is registered by showing ID before you permit access.

Once fitted you will need to have your system checked regularly. In the meantime you should know enough about the workings of the boiler to be able to spot any drop in water pressure which could damage your system.

You may wish to take out a service care agreement against any future problems with the system and be prepared for any unexpected emergencies.

If you haven't had your boiler replaced in the last 15 years you could do worse than replacing it with one of the new generation of high efficiency condensing combination boilers which could save you as much as 37p in every pound you spend on heating and hot water.*

*Source: SUDBUK boiler efficiency database, published as part of the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. Applies to energy-saving (condensing)boilers, depending on type of boiler being replaced and consumption. Based on the average life span of a boiler (15 years) in a standard three bedroom semi-detached house and on an average UK gas price of 1.41p/kWh as recommended by the Energy Saving Trust, December 2001.

Maintaining Your Heating System Tips From British Gas

• Ensure your central heating and gas appliances are serviced annually by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Never block or cover vents. Clear vents allow your gas appliances to breathe and burn safely and efficiently.
• Consider fitting a carbon monoxide detector in your property - one of these small, inexpensive devices could save your life. Maintained correctly, they will warn you if the carbon monoxide level in your home becomes dangerous.
• Although in the summer the weather may be warm and sunny, fire up your central heating system occasionally to keep it ticking over and prevent it from jamming when the cold sets in.
• Bleed your radiators every now and again to ensure they have no air in them. You'll know if they need bleeding as they may be cold at the top.

Types Of Boiler

Conventional Boilers

If you have a gravity heating system (with a water tank in the loft) then you'll need a conventional boiler. These use a traditional system which heats up a store of water before you need to use it, via a hot water cylinder and header tank

Condensing Boilers

Although more expensive than a conventional boiler a condensing boiler is highly efficient - using an extra heat exchanger to extract further heat from the water vapour produced in the combustion process, so very little heat is wasted.

Combination Boilers

For a flat or small house Combi Boilers are most suitable since they don't need to store water but instead heat the water as you use it.

Useful Links

There is no cylinder, no tank and no connecting pipe work, which saves space and reduces hot water costs. A combination boiler produces a near instantaneous supply of hot water on tap, 24 hours a day. Unlike conventional heating and hot water systems, a combination system does not store hot water.

British Gas
www.est.org.uk

The Boiler Efficiency Database
www.sedbuk.com

The Energy Saving Trust
The Energy Saving Trust

Gas Safe Register

www.gassaferegister.co.uk

DEFRA
www.defra.gov.uk

Fires Echo Retro Styling

Smeg says its range of 100% efficient flueless natural gas and LPG fires are the perfect extenstion to the Smeg range of design-led appliances.

Offering innovation that complements consumer lifestyles, the flueless fires are an 'eco-friendly' heating solution designed to be wall ahnging as well as suitable for living rooms, offices and kitchens.

Smeg adds "The L30FAB's soft curves and bold colours echo retro styling while the L23LIN encorporates sleek and elegant lines, consisten with Smeg's Linea series with the P23Cl ompleting the fire range by offering a Classic."

Natural Gas - The Facts

The main ingredient in natural gas is methane, a gas composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. Millions of years ago, the remains of plants and animals decayed and built up in thick layers. Over time, the sand and silt changed to rock, covered the organic material, and trapped it beneath the rock. Pressure and heat changed some of this organic material into coal, some into oil, and some into natural gas — tiny bubbles of odorless gas.In some places, gas escapes from small gaps in the rocks into the air; then, if there is enough activation energy from lightning or a fire, it burns. When people first saw the flames, they experimented with them and learned they could use them for heat and light.

How Do We Get Natural Gas?

The search for natural gas begins with geologists, who study the structure and processes of the Earth. They locate the types of rock that are likely to contain gas and oil deposits.

Today, geologists' tools include seismic surveys that are used to find the right places to drill wells. Seismic surveys use echoes from a vibration source at the Earth’s surface (usually a vibrating pad under a truck built for this purpose) to collect information about the rocks beneath. Sometimes it is necessary to use small amounts of dynamite to provide the vibration that is needed.

Scientists and engineers explore a chosen area by studying rock samples from the earth and taking measurements. If the site seems promising, drilling begins. Some of these areas are on land but many are offshore, deep in the ocean. Once the gas is found, it flows up through the well to the surface of the ground and into large pipelines.

Some of the gases that are produced along with methane, such as butane and propane (also known as "by-products"), are separated and cleaned at a gas processing plant. The by-products, once removed, are used in a number of ways. For example, propane when stored in a liquid from is an alternative for people who do not have a natural gas supply and is normally stored in a large tank outside your home, this is know as LPG or Liquified Propane Gas.

We can also use machines called "digesters" that turn today's organic material (plants, animal wastes, etc.) into natural gas. This process replaces waiting for millions of years for the gas to form naturally.

How Does The Gas Get To Me?
Natural gas is moved by pipelines from the producing fields to consumers. Because natural gas demand is greater in the winter, it is stored along the way, you may have seen the large storage tanks near you, large round tanks that rise and fall depending on the amount of gas inside. The gas remains there until it is added back into the pipeline when people begin to use more gas, such as in the winter to heat homes.

How Is Natural Gas Used?

How Natural Gas Is Used

Natural gas is used to produce steel, glass, paper, clothing, brick, electricity and as an essential raw material for many common products. Some products that use natural gas as a raw material are: paints, fertilizer, plastics, antifreeze, dyes, photographic film, medicines, and explosives.

A majority of homes in the UK use natural gas as their main heating fuel, if they are connected to the national grid. Natural gas is also used in homes to fuel stoves, water heaters, clothes dryers, and other household appliances.