How much does it actually cost to have a bioethanol fireplace burning for an evening? The answer depends mainly on how much fuel your burner uses, the price you pay per litre and how many hours you enjoy the flames.
Some bioethanol fireplaces cost less than €1 per hour in fuel, while larger models with longer flames naturally use more. Use our calculator to estimate the cost of your own fireplace, then look at three examples to see how different designs compare.
Calculate Your Bioethanol Fireplace Running Costs
Adjust the figures below to suit your fireplace and how you plan to use it. If you already own a fireplace, check its stated fuel consumption in the product specifications or manual.
The calculator estimates fuel costs only. Enter your own fireplace's stated consumption and the price you pay per litre.
How Is the Running Cost Calculated?
The calculation is straightforward: multiply the fuel used per hour by the price per litre. For example, at 0.25 litres per hour and €3.50 per litre, the fuel costs €0.875, or approximately €0.88, for each hour of use. Multiply that figure by the number of hours to estimate the cost of an evening.
Burner size and flame setting influence consumption. A longer flame usually requires more fuel, while some adjustable burners can operate at a lower setting. Tank capacity affects how long a fireplace can operate between fillings, but it does not tell you the running cost on its own.
Three Real Examples: Small, Enclosed and Long-Flame Fireplaces
To put the calculation into perspective, here are three different freestanding fireplaces from our range. The figures use a fuel price of €3.50 per litre and the stated hourly consumption of each model. They are examples below the calculator, rather than settings built into it.
Lambeth: A Compact Fireplace for Shorter Sessions
Lambeth is an affordable, portable tabletop fireplace that lets you enjoy a small real flame in different locations permitted by its instructions. At 0.25 litres per hour, its estimated running cost is €0.88 per hour.
Its small 0.5-litre fuel tank is the main limitation for longer evenings. Based on the stated tank capacity and hourly consumption, a single filling works out to roughly two hours. This makes Lambeth more suitable for shorter sessions than an uninterrupted three- or four-hour evening.
Washington: A Bioethanol Stove for Longer Evenings
The Washington has the familiar appearance of a wood-burning stove. It consumes the same stated 0.25 litres per hour as Lambeth but has a much larger 1.5-litre tank, with up to six hours of listed burning time. Four hours at the stated consumption costs approximately €3.50.
Its enclosed steel construction warms up during use and can release some stored heat after the flame goes out. This adds to the experience of an enclosed stove, although the stored heat is part of the energy released by the fuel, rather than extra heat.
Lansing L: A Longer Flame with Higher Fuel Consumption
The Lansing L has a long, visible flame and a freestanding design that can also work as a room divider. Its stated consumption is 0.46 litres per hour, equivalent to €1.61 per hour at our example fuel price. Four hours costs approximately €6.44.
With a 3.5-litre tank and a listed burning time of approximately 7.5 hours, it is suited to customers who want a larger flame over a longer period and are comfortable with the additional fuel cost.
| Specification | Lambeth | Washington | Lansing L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Tabletop | Enclosed stove | Freestanding, long flame |
| Heating character | Modest supplementary warmth | Enclosed steel stores some warmth | Larger flame, more fuel released per hour |
| Fuel consumption | 0.25 L/h | 0.25 L/h | 0.46 L/h |
| Tank capacity | 0.5 L | 1.5 L | 3.5 L |
| Burning time | Approx. 2 hours* | Up to 6 hours | Approx. 7.5 hours |
| Fuel cost per hour | €0.88 | €0.88 | €1.61 |
| Fuel cost for 4 hours | Not on one filling | €3.50 | €6.44 |
* Lambeth's published burning-time claims vary, and its stated 0.5-litre tank divided by 0.25 L/h calculates to around two hours. Confirm its actual burning time with the product team before replacing this estimate. Consumption and burning time can vary with operating conditions and approved flame settings. Costs are for fuel only.
The two smaller-consumption models illustrate why hourly cost and burning time should be considered together. Lambeth is portable and easy to buy, but Washington's larger tank makes it more practical for a full evening. Lansing offers a different experience with a longer flame and higher fuel consumption.
Our Tip: Make Your Fuel Last Longer by Adjusting the Flame
If you have an adjustable burner, you may be able to enjoy attractive flames while using less fuel. Allow the flame to establish itself for the period recommended in your fireplace's manual. Depending on the burner, this can take around 10 to 30 minutes.
Once the burner is operating normally, an approved lower flame setting may still give you an attractive orange flame while reducing consumption. We often see this with warm, adjustable manual burners. The actual appearance and saving depend on the model, fuel and setting. Reducing the flame also reduces heat output.
Only adjust a burner that is designed for flame regulation, using the supplied operating tool and following the manufacturer's instructions. Never attempt to adjust an unapproved burner. Lambeth, for example, does not have an adjustable flame.
Is a Bioethanol Fireplace Expensive to Run?
It depends on the type of flame you want and how often you use the fireplace. At our example fuel price, Washington costs around €3.50 for a four-hour evening, while Lansing costs approximately €6.44. Using either fireplace twice a week would cost about €30.33 or €55.81 per average month respectively, assuming constant consumption.
Bioethanol fireplaces offer a real flame and supplementary warmth without the wood handling associated with a traditional stove. An enclosed steel model can also release stored warmth after the fire is out. However, bioethanol is not automatically the cheapest way to heat a home. If heating cost is your main objective, compare it with your local electricity prices and other heating systems, including heat pumps.
How to Keep Your Running Costs Under Control
Choose a burner with a flame size that matches how you will use it. Check the stated consumption as well as tank capacity and burning time, especially if you like having the fireplace on for three or four hours at a time. Where the manufacturer permits it, reducing an adjustable flame can help extend burning time.
Buying suitable fireplace bioethanol in a larger pack may reduce the cost per litre. Compare the total delivered price and always follow the exact fuel requirements for your fireplace. Never refill a burning or hot burner; allow it to cool fully according to the manual before adding fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bioethanol fireplace cost per hour?
At €3.50 per litre, a burner using 0.25 L/h costs approximately €0.88 per hour. One using 0.46 L/h costs approximately €1.61 per hour. Enter your own figures in the calculator for a more relevant estimate.
How much fuel do I need for a four-hour evening?
A fireplace consuming 0.25 L/h uses approximately one litre in four hours. A fireplace consuming 0.46 L/h uses approximately 1.84 litres. Check whether your fireplace can run that long on one filling. If it cannot, always follow its cooling and refilling instructions.
Does a bigger fuel tank mean a higher running cost?
No. Tank capacity determines how much fuel the burner can hold, while consumption per hour determines the running cost. Lambeth and Washington have different tank sizes but the same stated hourly consumption.
Can lowering the flame reduce fuel consumption?
Yes, on burners designed for adjustable operation. The amount saved varies, and the heat output will also be lower. Use only the approved adjustment method.
Explore Fireplaces and Bioethanol Fuel
Knowing the approximate fuel cost makes it easier to choose the right fireplace for the way you actually plan to use it. Compare the consumption figures on our product pages, or contact our team if you would like help choosing between a compact fireplace, an enclosed stove and a larger freestanding design.
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