Despite Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring this year, some of us are still freezing our you-know-whats off (that groundhog is cute, but let’s face it, he’s no meteorologist). So until the temperatures rise, warming your frostbitten fingers by a stylish and eco-friendly fireplace is a good way to go…
+ Eco-Smart Fire
The go-to company for environmentally-friendly fireplaces seems to be Eco-Smart Fire, which we’ve written about before. Their well-designed modern fireplaces and ranges require no gas hookup and instead rely on clean-burning denatured ethanol. Their systems are also flue-less, which means they can be installed basically anywhere in your home.
Another stunning option is Spark’s Fire Ribbon, $3999, a vent-free system that boasts nearly complete fuel combustion, eliminating carbon monoxide and soot.
For a more portable option, the $650 Geniol Fireplace makes for a great (and warm!) tabletop centerpiece and burns using a clean fuel “paste.”
Perhaps our favorite, though, is the cheeky interpretation of fireplace logs by Carl Mertens. His $350 “tabletop fireplace” is as compact as an iPod and as sculptural as modern art.
+ Carl Merten’s Tabletop Fireplace
And for a more functional option, Schultedesign’s Fire Furniture line offers both warmth and a usable surface with their coffee table and podium. Most importantly, the flame burns off of a liquid that is both smoke and emission-free.
+ Schultedesign’s Fire Furniture
It’s a very nice concept to make Eco Smart Fireplaces. These are some attractive collections of environmentally friendly fireplaces which have been well designed.
New wood burning eco fireplace that is 97% efficient.
http://www.ecofirebox.org
The indoor UNVENTED gas Fireplaces are illegal in the State of California, but Eco Smart is ok
speaking as a dealer for Ecosmart i can honestly say that there is little smell to the units… when unlit and you are standing close to the unit you will smell a little Alcohol, but when lit there is no smell,
Has anyone actually smelled these in operation? Is there any scent to it?
Where do I get the ethnol to burn in fireplace?
I live in Newport Beach, CA, orange county
joyce Nugent
I have physically visited an EcoSmart retailer in Metairie LA about a month ago during Mardi Gras when the temperatures were 40ish outside (parades were sobering with the chilly temperatures). They put the designer model in “action” in a 20×10 room and within 15 mins (on a high flame.)..the room was exceeding a 70degree temperature. The flame was able to be adjusted to 3 different settings inorder to control the output of the heat. I tested the weight of the product by ATTEMPTING push a model not in use, couldnt budge it! Beautiful laquer finish. These fireplaces are definitey for those with an eye for “art” and a taste for the better things in life!
In response to the ecosmart fire places…
Safety…the fireplaces in the ecosmart line that are U.L. approved are done because they are bolted to the ground…they will not be approved otherwise. So your children (I have two myself and don’t allow them to play near fire as a general rule of thumb) should not be able to tip over the fire place. As a precaution I suggest that during the months you don’t use the fireplaces you keep it empty. It is nothing to fill and it allows you the freedom for your kids to play in them if you want. And because it burns clean you don’t have the issue with cleaning the nasty soot and ashes.
Heating efficiency…can you say 90%. Trust me, when you light this puppy up, expect some immediate warmth.
Pricing was the other objection…I’m not sure where you’re getting the pricing, but I’m thinking there was a miscommunication somewhere. The burner unit by itself will run you around $2500 (including shipping). The grate ranges start at $3160 and the renovator ranges start at $4389 (including the burner kit) The most expensive unit, the designer model vision, will run you $7825.
I’m not saying this is the product for everyone, but I am saying you don’t have to compromise anything to go green with the ecosmart fireplace. Safety, heating effiency and design. It might be a little more expensive, but think about enjoying the atmospher of fire without breathing in the toxins. Ultimately the choice is yours.
a lot of people are talking about this kind of thing, clean burning, low emission, sustainable. yet i rarely hear mention of pellet stoves. why is that? I have a pellet stove. it’s not perfect, but it’s better than a lot of what is out there, though you are dependent on having access to a pellet provider (luckily my parents live near the only one in Scotland).
cant believe you dont need vents: sound like quick /or slow suicidal action…..
The Eco-Fireplace is a great looking piece and the idea is there. But I have to tell you the price is absolutely insane. The little burner box itself was quoted at around $3000 from a few retailers and the finished shell brought the entire piece just over $9000 not inlcuding taxes and shipping.
I’m all for Eco, but it’d be nice if regular middle class folk can afford to go that route. Typical scenario with any other Eco related item.
Clean design – Less they perish in the fire, it is definitely for those who do not have young kids, or clumsy teens.
It’s apparent that more and more people think “fascinating design” is a synonym for “environmentally friendly.”
Apparently I’m not only supposed to have a central heating system with my fireplace but a second alcohol-based source of fuel. Instead of just a nice fireplace.
Not kid friendly at all. I have a curious 20 mth old at home …. who just might knock the whole thing over
You don’t really expect these small and low temperature flames to heat a house do you! Get real. They are for decoration. They will require fresh air input to any room they are in to replace the oxygen being burnt and I would have at least two CO monitors around, whatever they say about ‘complete combustion’ etc.
Keith Hallam
The last one looks like cigarette lighters to me.
boasts is a good term. i’d be very, very, very careful about any combustion inside a house that is ventless. i know the safety data, i tend to just not believe it, placing it in the same category as fda and other US government approval…