What To Know When Buying A Fireplace

The mornings are a little darker, days are getting chillier and South Africans around the country are bracing for it - winter is coming!

As global warming sends the planet into a tailspin, it's very evident that South African winters are getting colder. It's no secret that our homes are not built for these newly freezing temperatures, so more people are turning to purchasing fireplaces to see them through the chilly seasons. 

However, there are a few things you should know before buying a fireplace.

1. You'll need to call an installer

As much as you'd love to fire up your new fireplace right away, you must have a professional installer come to your home to install it. In fact, if you're installing a gas fireplace you're required by law to have a certified installer do the job. Therefore, it's important to budget for these additional costs.

We have a comprehensive list of independent installers per region, who are familiar with all our Megamaster Products. Feel free to contact them before making your purchase and ask them any questions you may have. 

2. Flue Pipes

A toasty warm fire is great and can heat up a room unlike anything else. However, where does all that smoke go? It's important to remember that when you purchase your freestanding fireplace, you need to find the right sized flue pipe that goes with it - this is also an additional cost.

Depending on the height and trajectory of your chimney, we have several pre-cut angles and straight flue pipes available to suit your ceiling and Megamaster fireplace.

It's important to contact an installer beforehand so that you can be sure to buy the right one.

3. Fireplace Size

Ever stared into a cozy fireplace and still felt cold? It's important to ensure that the kilowatt output of your fireplace is suitable for the size of the room it needs to heat.

To illustrate, suppose you have a room that measures 100 square meters and has double-volume ceilings. If you install a small fireplace with a low kilowatt output, it won't provide sufficient heat for the room. Calculate your room’s size and invest in a fireplace with the right output. Save on energy and keep warm all winter long.

Cast Iron Fireplaces

Fireplace	Heat Output	Area Coverage
Bailey Cast Iron Fireplace	6kW	48 - 60m²
Walden Cast Iron Fireplace	8kW	64 - 80m²
Ontario Cast Iron Fireplace	12kW	96 - 120m²
Andiron Cast Iron Fireplace	14kW	112 - 140 m²
Tarragon Cast iron Fireplace	16kW	114 - 160m²

Closed Combustion

Fireplace	Heat Output	Area Coverage
Volta	7kW	56 - 70 m²
Cogo	7kW	56 - 70 m²
Bosca Limit 360	9kW	90 – 150 m²
Bosca Firepoint 380	11kW	150 - 180 m²
Bosca Charcoal 380	11kW	150 - 180 m²
Bosca 500 Charcoal	12kW	180 - 220 m²

4. Your Preferred Type Of Heat Distribution

It's always good to know the differences when looking for the perfect fireplace that meets your needs.

Closed-combustion cast iron and closed-combustion steel fireplaces are among the most energy-efficient fireplaces. Although both work well, they distribute heat differently.

A closed combustion cast iron fireplace produces radiant heat, which means that the entire fireplace heats up and then distributes heat in all directions (mainly through the front due to the glass and vents). This radiant heat increases the temperature of everything in the room, including wood, fabrics, and other materials. If you have a standard one-story house with standard ceilings, a closed combustion cast iron fireplace could be the right choice for you.

On the other hand, a closed-combustion steel fireplace, like the Bosca range, distributes heat from the front. Where you see the flames, you'll feel the heat. Steel fireplaces give out a more direct type of heat. Therefore, if you have a smaller living space, these steel fireplace units may be suitable for you as they can be installed closer to wooden furniture, leather couches, indoor plants etc.

5. Maintenance

As you enjoy the pleasures of radiating heat from your fireplace, it's important to remember that it reaches scorching temperatures, which ultimately has an effect on the structure and most notably paint of the unit. 

So, as the warmer seasons come back and you use your fireplace less, the effects of use will start to show. Be sure not to turn a blind eye to these factors of maintenance: 

Unit Exterior - If you find your cast iron unit is rusting, it just needs a simple service. However, as each unit differs, they'll have different requirements to restore them, like sanding and covering with special cast-iron 'paint', which can be sourced at any hardware store. 

Interior - Whether you have a charcoal or wood-burning fireplace, it's very important to clean it out every time you make a fire. The build-up of ash and other debris can have long-term effects on your unit and cause problems with your next burn. 

Surrounds - Every unit has a surrounding area that needs to be monitored for heat damage. Be it tiles, wood, cement, or marble, keep an eye out for cracks, smoke marks, or developing weak points, to ensure that you don't run into a bigger problem further down the line. 