Going all-electric? How to keep a real flame
More Australian homes are going all-electric, by choice or by rule. A bioethanol fire is the one way to keep a real, burning flame without gas, wood or a chimney.
An all-electric home has no gas supply, and many have no chimney. That leaves two ways to get a fire: an electric flame effect, which shows a picture of a flame, or a bioethanol fire, which burns a real one. If the real flame matters to you, bioethanol is the option that works without gas, wood or a flue through the roof.
Why so many Australian homes are going all-electric
Households are taking gas out to cut bills and emissions, often alongside solar and batteries. Governments are pushing the same way. Victoria has stopped gas connections to new homes that need a planning permit and has announced that all new homes must be all-electric from 2027. The ACT has also moved to end new gas connections. See our guide to the Victorian rules.
Your fireplace options in an all-electric home
| Electric flame effect | Bioethanol | Gas | Wood | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real flame | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Needs gas | No | No | Yes | No |
| Needs a chimney or roof flue | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke or ash | No | No | No | Yes |
| Fits an all-electric home | Yes | Yes | No | Depends on local rules |
How bioethanol works
Bioethanol is a liquid fuel made from plant sugars. It burns to heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide, so there is no smoke, soot or ash and no flue gas to vent. You fill the burner, light it with the long lighter or rod, adjust the flame with the slide and put it out with the shut-off tool. Automatic burners such as the Planika Pillar run from an app or remote and fill themselves from a built-in pump. See how bio fires work.
Is it really "all-electric"?
A bioethanol fire is not electric, but it does not need a gas connection or a flue, so it sits comfortably in an all-electric home. Your house heating stays electric. The fire adds a flame and warmth to the living room.
Making it a centrepiece
All-electric new builds are often open plan. A suspended fire hangs in the middle of the room rather than on an external wall, which suits that layout. The Naked Flame Sphere, Curve 90, Orbit, Silo and Curve 120 turn 360 degrees on their flue and come in black powdercoat, corten, brushed or polished stainless steel. The Cocoon Aeris hangs from a slim pole and starts from about A$3,760.
What it will and will not do
- It will give 3 to 5.5 kW of real heat where you sit, and a flame you can see from across the room.
- It will not heat a whole house. Size your reverse-cycle system for the house and treat the fire as the focal point of the living area.
- It needs a room of at least the minimum volume for the burner and good ventilation. Our size guide explains how to match the burner to the room.
Common questions
Can I have a real fire in an all-electric home?
Yes. A bioethanol fire burns a real flame with no gas connection and no chimney.
Does a bioethanol fire use electricity?
Manual burners use none. Automatic burners such as the Planika Pillar need a 230 V power connection to run the pump and controls.
Is bioethanol renewable?
It is made from plant sugars rather than fossil fuels. Buy fuel made for fireplaces from an Australian supplier.
We deliver anywhere in Australia. See suspended fireplaces in Australia.