Electric: simple to install, generally will plug straight into a 13A socket; relatively cheap to pay; expensive to run per unit of heat output.
Gas: depends on having a supply (obviously) and a flue (these fancy one that operate without flues are expensive to buy and less efficient thermally - not recommended); have to be installed by a fitter at a cost of perhaps �75; cheaper to run per unit output by a factor of about 3x compared to electricity.
thank you buildersmate, will look into gas then, wanting a nice one that fits into my fireplace.
how do i get the measurments? will i hav to pay for the old fire to be removed ( get measurments) and pay again when i buy a new one,
thanks.
The way I believe it works is that every gas fire bought is purchased with a fitting cost to a nearby existing point. Having bought the fire, the installation price will include the cost of a pre-survey that checkes to see that the flue arrangements and supply are OK.
I would not expect that you have to buy extra to have an existing fire disconnected - though you may have to pay to get them to cart it away for you. Should fit in a car boot to take to the nearest munipal recycling centre though.
Go and look at a few fires you like and ask how the installation works.
If you do fit a gas fire it might be worthwhile buying a carbon monoxide detector.
They're fairly cheap, about �15, and if anything went wrong with the fire they could save lives.