Fireplace Inserts

EcoSmart Fire's zero-clearance bioethanol fireplace inserts do not require professional installation. They are designed for confident DIY completion with comprehensive instructions.

The process has three steps: construct a timber-framed cavity to specified dimensions, mount the insert via the included mounting holes, and finish the surround with approved non-combustible materials. No structural modifications or specialist trades are needed.

Many customers choose to involve a qualified builder or interior designer, and this is where professional input earns its value. A tradesperson brings precise placement, tight integration with bespoke cabinetry, and a polished finish that elevates the overall design. If you're building or renovating, they can also coordinate installation timing across other trades on site.

EcoSmart Fire's trade specialists offer a free drawing review to validate your plan before work begins, giving you expert oversight without the cost of full professional installation.

Building permit requirements vary by jurisdiction; confirm local regulations before starting work.

Running costs come down to the volume of fuel burned per session. EcoSmart Fire inserts deliver 3 to 4 kW of heat output with burn times of 7 to 13 hours per fill, depending on burner size, and the flame setting is the primary cost lever as a lower flame extends burn time without losing the live fire effect.

Tank sizes run from 5 to 10 litres across the range, so the cost per session scales with the insert you choose. Because the design is ventless, close to 90% of the generated heat stays in the room with nothing lost up a flue.

Unlike gas or wood-burning alternatives, there are no flue maintenance costs, gas line charges, or fuel delivery fees. The only ongoing expense is the bioethanol itself.

EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces feature true zero-clearance design. At the back and sides, the appliance frame installs directly into wood or metal stud walls with no spacing required between the unit and surrounding combustible materials.

For mantels and surrounds fitted above or beside the unit, specific vertical clearance distances apply. These differ depending on whether the material is combustible or non-combustible; your model's support page provides the exact dimensions and diagrams for your configuration.

Each model specifies a minimum room volume for adequate ventilation. This is an air quality requirement rather than a physical clearance distance. Your product specifications or installer will confirm the threshold for your room.

Before installation, verify your wall cavity dimensions against the product's cut-out specifications to ensure tolerances align.

EcoSmart Fire wall-mounted fireplaces are engineered for integration into most wall constructions, though the backing material and clearances matter. Suitable substrates include brick, stone, plastered masonry, fire-rated plasterboard, tile, and concrete. Stud walls work when lined with fire-rated plasterboard and hollow-wall anchors; fabric and wallpaper directly behind the unit must be avoided.

Recessed installations require non-combustible cavity backing, such as vermiculite board, fibre cement, or steel framing lined with fire board, to maintain safe operating temperatures. The Flex Series is purpose-built for architect-led recessed integration and uses specified mounting brackets and spacers to create the necessary air gap for heat distribution.

Installation details vary by model, so the manufacturer's installation manual governs clearances to combustibles and any structural considerations.

Yes, you can install a TV above a wall-mounted ethanol fireplace using one of three engineered design solutions. EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces emit minimal radiant heat and require no venting, making TV placement above the opening viable when proper spacing or shielding is applied.

The three approved approaches are: (1) a non-combustible mantel or ledge installed between the fireplace and TV to deflect radiant heat; (2) a recessed niche that sets the TV into the wall above the fireplace, creating physical depth separation from the flame; (3) sufficient setback clearance, positioning the TV well above the opening to allow heat to dissipate naturally.

Overhead clearance from the flame to any overhead surface must be 1,500–2,000 mm [59–78 in], depending on your burner model. Check your installation manual for the exact specification. The fireplace itself has zero clearance at the back and sides, but materials positioned above it, including your TV bracket, are not supported by the fireplace frame. Your TV bracket must be independently anchored to the wall structure or a structural element, not the fireplace surround. This independent anchoring ensures safe mounting and code compliance for load-bearing fixtures.

Zero-clearance fireplace inserts from EcoSmart Fire can be styled with decorative media, with options that vary by series. Two accessories are designed specifically for bioethanol use: Black Glass Charcoal, a tempered glass media rated to 700°C [1,300°F] that sits in the firebox tray, and the Log Set in copper or brass, a stainless steel eight-piece set arranged in four sizes for a stackable, sculptural finish.

Media placement follows the insert configuration. The Flex range offers an industry-exclusive side box on selected lengths (Box Left, Box Right, or two boxes), designed to hold any non-combustible accessory alongside the flame channel. Log sets are positioned in or beside the side box, not directly over the burner opening, so the flame stays clean, and the logs remain a visual element rather than a fuel load. The Heritage range takes the opposite approach: a traditional hearth look built in, with a 1.2 mm SECC steel grate and e-NRG fire-rated wood logs supplied as standard. The Frame range is designed for a clean linear flame, where the architecture itself is the focal point.

Zero-clearance design means a bioethanol fireplace insert can sit flush against combustible framing (timber studs, metal studs, or joinery) with no mandatory air gap or heat-dissipating cavity around the firebox. EcoSmart Fire builds combustion containment directly into each unit, so no structural separation from surrounding materials is required.

The reason bioethanol makes this possible is the burn chemistry. Clean combustion produces heat, water vapour, and CO2 within levels that satisfy international safety standards, with no smoke, soot, or flue gases. Without combustion byproducts requiring exhaust, there is no need for a chimney, liner, or venting duct, and no need to hold the insert away from surrounding materials.

That capability reshapes what is possible at the design and specification stage. Inserts can drop into wood or metal stud walls, sit under flat-screens, anchor a kitchen island, or integrate inside bespoke cabinetry in concrete, stone, marble, timber, or tile finishes. Published clearances still apply above the firebox and around non-combustible mantels, and recessed cavities should use non-combustible backing such as vermiculite board or fibre cement.

Recessed installation of EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces follows a straightforward three-phase process.

Construct your wall cavity to the specified cut-out dimensions, slide the appliance into the opening so the base sits securely on 50 × 100 mm [2×4 in] framing, then secure it via the mounting hole flanges using a power drill and screwdriver. Remove the transport brackets, complete your wall panelling around the insert, and the fireplace is ready for operation: no venting, no gas line, no electrician required.

The absence of utility connections is what makes recessed installation possible in spaces where traditional fireplaces cannot go: interior feature walls, under-window niches, between built-in cabinetry.

Framing above the appliance must be self-supporting, and the toughened glass windscreen slides into place before the decorative charcoal spreads around the appliance tray. Most installations are completed within an hour.

EcoSmart Fire trade specialists are available to review your design drawings at no cost and provide technical support throughout installation. Compliance with UL 1370 and EN 16647 standards ensures your installation meets all relevant safety requirements.

EcoSmart’s fireplace inserts are mostly used for new construction when an entirely new fireplace is desired for a given space. They are not designed for the conversion or remodelling of an existing masonry or gas fireplace but could be used if the dimensions align.

To convert an existing fireplace we recommend using our fireplace grates or ethanol burners as noted above.

Ensure that the flue has been closed off and the relevant suppliers have officially detached all connections to utilities.

EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplace inserts cost significantly less to install than traditional gas or wood-burning fireplaces because they eliminate structural modifications, gas line installation, and chimney work. Installation focuses on securing the insert in a framework and finishing the surround, a zero-clearance design that removes expensive building work.

The cost advantage comes from simplicity: no venting requirement, no electrical wiring, no combustion air ducts. Installation typically completes in under an hour once the framework is ready, keeping labour costs lower and timelines shorter. Many homeowners invest in professional finishing work, but the fireplace insert itself requires minimal specialist input.

EcoSmart Fire reports up to 70% in cost savings compared to gas fireplaces across the full installation journey. This includes the insert and surrounding build work. The remaining costs reflect design choices: cabinetry finishes, materials, and architectural integration, decisions that would apply regardless of fireplace type.

Once installed, running costs are minimal. A 9-litre fuel refill burns for 8–13 hours depending on heat setting, making it one of the most economical focal point options. Total cost of ownership, including installation and fuel, typically proves competitive with traditional alternatives.