Our products and the environment

Stovax and Gazco pursue a policy of continual research and development, meaning we are continually improving and refining our existing ranges and introducing new models. Our rigorous quality control system ensures that all our appliances comply with British safety standards as well as stringent European regulations. We also carry the independently assessed CE mark on all our gas fires.

One very important issue and focus of our research and development programme is that of the environment and the impact of our products upon it. We endeavour to develop the most efficient fires and stoves so that our products generate minimal fuel and energy wastage and maximum heat outputs.

What is fuel efficiency?

Every fire has an efficiency percentage - this means the percentage of heat that warms the room as opposed to going up the chimney (wasted heat). Traditional open fires are only around 20% efficient, meaning 80% of the generated heat goes up the chimney instead of into the room. A stove or closed fire is much more efficient than this, with wood and multi-fuel models of up to 80% efficiency and gas stoves of up to 86% efficiency.
It is worth remembering that even when an open fire is not in use it is still drawing heat from the room from sources like radiators and storage heaters.

The E-box™ fire from Gazco is a highly efficient fire recently developed to suit the demand for ‘real flame’ focal points but with modern efficiency. These sealed fires with virtually invisible glass fronts allow controlled, clean burning and economical combustion with reduced carbon emissions. There are conventional and balanced flue versions producing efficiencies of 76% and 86% respectively with maximum heat outputs of 3.8kW.

I’m concerned about rising fuel prices – can I still have a gas fire?

The concern over fossil fuels’ long term availability and consequential price rises affects all homeowners. If you already have an older gas fire, or you want the convenience of a gas fire in your home, the best solution is to purchase a gas fire that is fuel efficient. This way you are minimising damage to the environment by purchasing an appliance which wastes very little fuel and generates the maximum heat possible, which means you gain the most from your appliance in terms of value for money – maximum heat for minimum damage to the environment and your fuel bills.

Wood – the original renewable energy source

New generations of clean burning stoves are much more efficient than models of the past. Stovax woodburning stoves burn the fuel not once, but twice in its Cleanburn system which works by introducing warm air just above the normal height of the fire. The effect is to allow the combustion of unburned hydrocarbons in the smoke stream. This, in turn, provides not only a ‘cleaner burn’ (i.e. less soot particles going up the chimney/flue and into the atmosphere) but also generates up to twice the heat output from the same amount of fuel. Furthermore, you will enjoy the sight of even more flames.

Trees during their lifetime absorb carbon dioxide and generate oxygen. Whether those trees are burned as fuel or left to decay in the forest, they release the same amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Healthy trees from well managed forests absorb three times as much carbon dioxide than will be released during combustion. Using timber from organised afforestation reduces the need to burn fossil fuels, and when burnt in efficient stoves, provides sustainable warmth for homes without damaging our environment.