Bioethanol Fireplace Running Costs in NZ
What bioethanol fuel costs in New Zealand, how long a fill lasts in each suspended fire, and the real cost per hour of a bioethanol fireplace.
A bioethanol fireplace in New Zealand costs roughly $2 to $6.50 an hour to run, depending on the size of the burner and how high you set the flame. Bioethanol fuel sells for about $5.50 to $5.75 a litre in 20 L lots. Here is what that means for each fire we make.
How much is bioethanol fuel in NZ?
Our bioethanol fuel comes as four 5 L bottles (20 L). It is $110 unscented or $115 scented, which works out at $5.50 to $5.75 a litre. We deliver fuel within New Zealand only.
Running cost per hour by fire
| Fire | Burner and tank | Heat output | Burn time per fill | Approx. cost per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sphere | XL500, 5 L | 3.35 kW | 10 to 13 hours | $2 to $3 |
| Curve 90, Orbit, Silo | XL700, 7 L | 4 kW | 9 to 12 hours | $3.20 to $4.50 |
| Curve 120 | XL900, 9 L | 4.4 kW | 8 to 13 hours | $3.80 to $6.50 |
| Cocoon Aeris | 1.5 L | 3 kW | Up to 5 hours | From about $1.70 |
The range in each row comes from the flame setting. A lower flame burns longer on the same fill, so the cost per hour falls.
What a typical winter evening costs
Run a Sphere for four hours on a winter evening and you will use about 1.5 to 2 L of fuel, or roughly $8 to $11. A Curve 120 on a high flame for the same four hours uses closer to 3 to 4.5 L.
Is a bioethanol fireplace a heater or a feature?
Both, but be realistic. At 3.35 to 4.4 kW a Naked Flame bioethanol burner gives real warmth to the space around it, and every burner has a minimum room size (80 m³ for the Sphere, 90 m³ for the XL700 fires, 110 m³ for the Curve 120). In a large, open-plan New Zealand home it works best alongside your main heating, as the focal point of the room.
Are bioethanol fires safe?
Bioethanol burns cleanly, producing mainly heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide, so it needs no exhaust flue to the roof. Use it as the manufacturer intends: refill only when the burner is out and cool, light it with a long lighter, keep the room ventilated and respect the minimum room volume. Read more on our safety page.
Where to buy bioethanol fuel in NZ
You can order fuel and accessories, including the bottle nozzle and electric lighter, from our store and have them delivered anywhere in New Zealand.
Still deciding on a fuel? Read Bioethanol, Gas, Wood or Electric: Choosing the Fuel for a Suspended Fire, or see the bioethanol suspended fireplace range.