Nothing says cosy like a flickering fireplace. Gas, wood-burning or eco-fuelled, there's a model guaranteed to warm your hearth.

What would you say is the perfect way to spend a chilly winter's evening? The answer is almost certain to include a fireplace. When it comes to ambience, it's hard to go past an open fire. Trouble is, they don't rate highly when it comes to efficient heat production, plus there's the question of emissions. So it's good news that there's now a growing range of fireplace heaters on offer, from efficient slow-combustion wood-burners and gas-fired heaters to models that run on eco-friendly fuel.

For interiors, a fireplace has become something of a design must-have, with sleek built-ins and stylish freestanding designs as the focal point in new and renovated living areas. There's even a trend to outdoor fireplaces, aimed at making outdoor entertaining a cosy prospect throughout winter months.

Fire your imagination

Navigating your way through the array of styles and fuel types can be confusing. Start shopping around and you'll find there are both built-in and freestanding models on offer. Remember, gas and wood-burning fires must be flued outdoors so no emissions are released inside. The most efficient designs include a convection or fan effect, to distribute the heat more widely. For wood-burning fireplaces, a combustion-style firebox contains and disperses the heat far more effectively than the standard open fireplace of yesteryear.

"A big consideration is whether you want the fireplace to be the main form of heating, localised heating or even purely decorative," says Daniel Belnick, Marketing Manager at Jetmaster.

In chillier parts of Australia, fireplaces tend to be used in conjunction with some form of central heating. "Generally, reverse-cycle airconditioning, gas heating or in-slab hydronic heating is used in conjunction with a fire," says architect Ross Norwood of Canberra's Dowse Norwood Architects. "Rarely do we find people asking for an open fireplace for heating, except on rural properties."

Where the fireplace is intended to be a major source of heating, consider the area you need to heat. "The more powerful gas heaters will heat more than 100 square metres in a cool climate," says Magnus Nilsson, Category Manager for Climate/Lifestyle at Rinnai. "But you need to take into account other aspects of the home, such as what level of insulation you have."

The home's layout will also dictate the best heating type. "You won't generally need another form of heating with a flued gas fire in an area around 120 square metres, as long as you can close the area off," says Belnick. There's no requirement for bulky brickwork and chimneys with the latest fireplace designs. Most can be easily installed into timber and plaster, and can be flued horizontally, vertically or even through the floor. They can also be fitted into existing fireplaces.

Burning issues

In terms of sustainability, natural gas scores well compared to electricity, due to the lower levels of greenhouse emissions from gas. It's worth checking and comparing the efficiency rating of different fireplace models. "The star rating will give you a good indication of what it will cost to run," says Nilsson. "To keep your bills in check, you should be looking at a star rating higher than four."

Wood-burning fireplaces can be an eco-friendly option if you use a slow-combustion set-up. (An old-style open fireplace, on the other hand, can lose up to 85 per cent of its heat up the chimney.) The Federal Government's Your Home advisory site recommends using only sustainably harvested wood, and avoiding treated timbers that may give off toxic pollutants when burned.

What's hot

High-tech features continue to make fireplaces more efficient and a breeze to use:
Look for features such as variable flame control and direct vent output, to guarantee high heat when you need it and better control over heat output.

Many gas fireplaces now come with a remote to control timers, settings and fan speeds.

The latest wood-burning combustion fireplaces burn timber more cleanly, which reduces emissions.

New safety features, such as automatic shut-off in the case of flame failure or oxygen depletion, have made fireplace heaters more reliable than ever.

An eco-friendly choice of heater is one that runs on bioethanol, a renewable liquid fuel produced from agricultural by-products.