Open or enclosed fire. A difficult choice?

04-07-2011

Not really. The answer is quite simple. Anyone who wants a gas fire for sheer comfort and looks can choose an open gas fire.

Those who attach more importance to the aspect of efficiency would do better to choose an enclosed fire since, besides radiant heat, these fires also give out part of the recuperation heat (convection heat).

The enclosed fire is also more suitable in ‘passive housing’.

Open fires are more demanding as regards position because an influx of fresh air must be provided from below and the fire must be connected to a flue to the outside air, which, in a passive house, can cause problems with the air technology. In many cases, however, the choice is for an open fire since these are rather sober, which many (interior) architects experience as a plus point.