Bio Fire cost

[Sonny13]

www.bioethanol-fireplace.co.uk/large-wall-mounted-biofireplace-in-white_2012r12243.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAh5_uBRA5EiwASW3IaoNlBfvpAkN8E-eQJd5J2ROC6TU47BUEfBSDUuDrqAIF5lrXXgFfVxoC3HMQAvD_BwE

Trying to work out the running cost of this fire per hour. Based on an example approx £2.50 per litre of fuel this fire says an output of 4.38kw and burn time of 4 hours per filling (3 x 1.5 litres).

How much would it cost per kw/h to run ?

Can anybody help please. Is it really £1.55 or am I lost?

It does seem exceptionally powerful for an alcohol-burner.

Just to check, does it have a flue/chimney, or does it release the fumes into the room?

I just looked up the energy content of methanol, and it seems to be about 4.4kW per litre, so you would burn 1 litre per hour to produce 4.4kWh of heat costing you £2.50 per hour. I think burning 1 litre of methanol produces about 1.5 litres of water but I can't find a source to check that.

If these figures are correct and if I have calculated correctly, energy from methanol costs about 57p per kWh.

Gas costs me 3.12p per kWh inc VAT and electricity costs 14p per kWh inc VAT, so I think the purpose of an expensive ethanol burner is primarily as an ornament.

Methanol?

Thanks piglet and I agree, that’s what I was trying to distinguish. Buying something that was efficient and cost effective but it doesn’t really look to be the case.

The 4.38 total heat output from that specific model appears to be due to the total of 3 burners.

Other models are available www.imaginfires.co.uk/marlow-bioethanol-fireplace-white-twin

2 x 1 litre capacity with 2 burners. Yet 1 Litre of fuel burns for approximately 3.5 hours depending on location, air flow etc Total Heat Output: (when using both fuel boxes) approximately 4kw (same as a heater on medium setting)

Half the price from the first one I linked too but my main consideration as you said is paying 14p per kw/h for electricity so kind of defeats the purpose if fuel is expensive.

Seems more of a feature than a benefit. And if that case I think I would prefer an actual wood burner if I wanted a feature.

I've had a multifuel, which IMO is better than a plain woodburner. They can burn cleaner and, say if you are unwell and unable to saw wood, or run out, you can keep a few bags of solid fuel handy which burn hotter and longer. I also used to dispose of kitchen and household waste on mine, and heat the hot-water cylinder. But there are stove enthusiasts on here who study it more deeply.