Gas, Electric or Bioethanol: Which Fire Is Right for Your London Home?

Choosing a fireplace is rarely just about heat. In a London home — whether it’s a Georgian townhouse in Chelsea, a converted mansion flat, or a newly built penthouse — the fire you choose has to work with the architecture, the practicalities of the building, and the atmosphere you want to create. With so many fuel types now available, the first decision most homeowners face isn’t which fireplace looks best, but which kind of fire actually suits their space.

Here’s how the three most popular options — gas, electric and bioethanol — compare, and where each one shines.

Gas Fires: Authenticity Without the Upkeep

For homeowners who want the look and warmth of a real flame without the demands of a wood or coal fire, gas remains the gold standard. Modern gas fires offer realistic flame effects, glowing coal or log beds, and genuine radiant heat — all at the flick of a switch or a remote control.

Gas fires are particularly well suited to period London properties with an existing chimney or flue, where they can be installed as an inset fire within a traditional surround, or as a freestanding gas stove for a cosier, cottage-like feel. They require minimal daily maintenance, though annual servicing and flue checks are essential for safety.

Best for: period homes with an existing flue, anyone wanting real flame realism with modern convenience.

Electric Fires: Flexibility for Flats and Listed Buildings

Electric fires have come a long way from the glowing-bar heaters of decades past. Today’s electric fires — including open fires, stoves and inset designs — use LED and mist technology to produce flame effects that are strikingly close to the real thing, without any flue, gas connection or combustion at all.

This makes electric the go-to choice for flats, listed buildings where alterations are restricted, and any room without access to a chimney. They’re also the simplest to install, making them a popular choice where renovation works need to be minimised, or where a fireplace is being added purely for ambience rather than as a primary heat source.

Best for: flats and apartments, listed buildings, rooms without a flue, easy retrofits.

Bioethanol Fires: The Flueless Statement Piece

Bioethanol fires burn a clean, liquid fuel that produces a genuine dancing flame — real fire, real warmth — but without smoke, soot or the need for a chimney. Because they’re entirely flueless, they open up far more design freedom than gas or wood: bioethanol fireboxes and burners can be built into an island, a partition wall, or an outdoor terrace, making them a favourite for architects and interior designers working on contemporary schemes.

Manual burners suit a simpler, more considered installation, while remote-control burners offer the same on-demand convenience as gas. Bioethanol is especially popular for indoor-outdoor living spaces, where a flueless fire can extend the sense of warmth from a living room onto a terrace or garden.

Best for: contemporary and architectural installs, flueless requirements, indoor-outdoor spaces, statement centrepieces.

And a Note on Solid Fuel

For those restoring a period fireplace, nothing quite replaces a genuine wood or smokeless fuel fire. Solid fuel stoves — freestanding or inset — remain the most traditional option, and the one most easily with a London home, in a smoke control area. They demand the most upkeep (fuel storage, ash clearance, regular chimney sweeping) but reward homeowners with an unmatched sense of authenticity.

How Real Flame Helps You Choose

With 50 years of experience fitting fireplaces into some of London’s most distinctive homes, Real Flame’s designers don’t just sell fires — they help you work out which fuel type, firebox and surround will genuinely suit your property, your building’s constraints, and the atmosphere you’re trying to create.

Our white-glove service covers the full journey: bespoke design consultation, expert installation by our own artisans, and ongoing care including gas servicing and chimney sweeping. Whether you already know you want a bioethanol island fire or you’re still weighing up gas versus electric, our team can talk it through with you at our New Kings Road showroom.

Ready to explore your options in person? Book a showroom visit or get in touch with our design team to begin your bespoke fireplace journey.