Frequently Asked Questions.
Here is the checklist of information you could gather before you visit our showroom:
FAQ for the Design Process.
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Floor Plan or Room Sizes: Bring the length, width, and ceiling height of the specific room where the fire will go.
Total House Size: Know the total square meterage (m²) of your home. This helps calculate the overall heating load and prevents you from buying an oversized or undersized unit.
Insulation Standards: Note whether your home has standard underfloor/ceiling insulation, retrofitted wall insulation, and if it is single or double-glazed.
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The Target Wall: Take clear photos of the wall or existing cavity where you want the fireplace installed, both from a distance and close up.
The Exterior View: Take a photo from the outside of the house showing the wall or roofline directly above the installation zone. This helps the installer plan the flue or vent pathway.
Roof Type: Know your roofing material (e.g., corrugated iron, concrete tile) and whether your home is single-storey or multi-storey.
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Property Size: If you want a wood burner, know your land size. If your property is under 2 hectares in an urban area, you will be restricted to Ultra-Low Emission Burners (ULEBs).
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The Look: Save a few inspiration photos of styles you like (e.g., freestanding, built-in flush to the wall, traditional mantel, or double-sided).
Surrounding Features: If you plan to mount a TV or artwork above the fireplace, bring those dimensions and the desired height so the team can factor in strict heat-clearance templates.
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Yes. New Zealand has strict National Environmental Standards (NES) for air quality. Within the clean air zone, you can only install Ultra-Low Emission Burners (ULEBs) or Low Emission Burners. Rural wood burners are typically restricted to rural properties over 2 hectares outside of the clean air zone
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They require the most hands-on maintenance of the three types. You must clean out ash regularly, source and stack seasoned firewood, and have the chimney swept by a professional at least once a year to prevent chimney fires.
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Yes. Traditional wood fires do not require electricity to run. This makes them an excellent source of emergency backup heating and light if the power grid goes down.
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FAQ for Wood Fires
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Pellet fuel is made from compressed wood waste, such as sawdust and wood shavings. The wood is dried and compressed under high pressure into small pellets, with the wood's natural lignin acting as a binder, so no glue is usually needed.
Because pellets have low moisture content and a consistent size, they burn efficiently, produce relatively low emissions, and generate less ash than traditional firewood. In New Zealand, many pellets are made from sustainably sourced radiata pine residues
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Yes. Unlike traditional wood burners, pellet fires require electricity to run the automated auger (which feeds pellets into the fire) and the internal convection fans. They will not work during a power cut unless hooked up to a backup generator or battery.
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They offer the heat of real wood with the convenience of automation. You can set them to a specific temperature via thermostat, program timers, and turn them on with a remote control or smartphone app.
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For the best performance and longest storage life, keep pellet bags:
Indoors in a dry area such as a garage, utility room, shed, or storage cupboard.
Off the floor on a pallet, shelf, or timber battens to prevent moisture absorption.
Away from leaks, damp walls, and condensation.
In their sealed bags until needed.
Out of direct sunlight and away from excessive heat.
The biggest enemy of wood pellets is moisture. If pellets get wet or absorb humidity, they can swell, break apart into sawdust, and burn poorly or become unusable.
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A pellet fire is usually a little noisier than a traditional wood burner because it uses fans and a pellet feed system, however most people find the noise unobtrusive and comparable to a low-speed heat pump. Noise levels can vary between brands and models, with some units designed to prioritize quiet operation. For example, the Whisper 7 pellet fire has been specifically engineered to be as quiet as possible while still delivering efficient heating.
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A pellet fire automatically burns small compressed wood pellets to produce heat. Pellets are stored in a hopper and fed into the fire by an electric auger, while fans supply air for efficient combustion and circulate warm air throughout the room. A thermostat and electronic controls regulate the fuel feed and airflow to maintain a consistent temperature, making pellet fires convenient, efficient, and easy to operate.
FAQ for Pellet Fires
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No. Because they do not burn fuel or create real combustion, they do not require a chimney, flue, or building consent. You simply plug them into a standard wall socket, making them the easiest and cheapest option to install.
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Yes. Most modern electric fires allow you to turn on the LED flame visual independently of the heating element. This means you can enjoy the cozy aesthetic of a fire during the summer months without overheating the room.
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