The right type depends on your home size, gas availability, and how much heat you need. Wood heaters produce the most heat and work well for larger homes or properties without gas. Gas log fires give you instant warmth with no firewood storage. Electric fireplaces are best for apartments, rentals, or spaces where flues and gas lines are not possible. Our showroom team can walk you through your specific situation.

Wood heaters typically cost between $4,000 and $18,000 fully installed. Gas log fires range from $4,500 to $16,000 installed. Electric fireplaces range from $800 to $8,500 depending on whether it is a plug-in or feature-wall installation. Pricing varies based on home configuration and unit selection.

Yes. All three of our showrooms (Geelong, Ballarat, Traralgon) have working displays of every model we sell. Walk in, see them lit, ask questions. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm.

We sell factory-direct, which generally means our pricing is the best available in regional Victoria. If you have seen a comparable Australian-made unit at a lower price elsewhere, bring us the quote and we will see what we can do.

The general rule is 1 kilowatt of heat output per 10 to 14 cubic metres of room space, depending on insulation quality. A standard living room of about 50 square metres typically needs a 7 to 10 kW heater. Our team measures your space during the free in-home consultation.

Multiply length by width by ceiling height in metres. For example, a 6m x 5m room with a 2.7m ceiling is 81 cubic metres.

A wood heater of 13 kW or higher can comfortably heat most three-bedroom homes from a single living area, especially if the layout is open-plan. Gas log fires typically heat a single zone or open-plan area up to about 80 square metres. Electric fireplaces are not designed to heat whole homes.

Indirect heat will move into adjoining rooms through natural air movement, but bedrooms behind closed doors will stay cooler. For full bedroom heating you usually need either a larger heater plus open doors, or supplementary heating in those rooms.

Yes. Wood heaters that meet AS/NZS 4013 emission standards (1.5 grams per kilogram of wood) and AS/NZS 4012 efficiency standards (minimum 60% efficient) are legal across Victoria. Installation must be carried out by a licensed Victorian plumber registered in Mechanical Services.

A quality wood heater loaded properly with seasoned hardwood will burn 6 to 9 hours unattended. Some larger units claim up to 12 hours but most reviewers report 7 to 9 in real-world use.

A typical Victorian household uses 2 to 3 tonnes of seasoned hardwood across winter. That is roughly 6 to 9 cubic metres of stacked space.

Seasoned hardwood with moisture content below 20 percent. Red gum, ironbark, and yellow box are popular choices in Victoria. Avoid green wood, treated timber, painted wood, and softwoods (which burn too fast and create more creosote).

Most wood heater installations in Victoria do not require a building permit, unlike New South Wales. Heritage properties and some bushfire zones may need additional approvals. We handle compliance as part of every installation.

A yearly service by a licensed plumber is recommended. This includes flue cleaning, door seal inspection, and general firebox condition check. Typical cost is $150 to $250 per service.

The most common causes are wet or unseasoned firewood, insufficient air supply, or a heater damped down too low. Open the air control fully when lighting and refuelling. Use only seasoned wood with moisture under 20 percent.

Mains natural gas is the most economical option and is available across most of regional Victoria. Outside the mains network you can still run a gas log fire on LPG bottles, though running costs are higher.

At current Victorian gas rates (around 3.5 to 4 cents per megajoule), a medium gas log fire run for four hours per night through winter typically costs $200 to $400 across the season. Modern thermostatic units reduce this further by throttling output when the room is warm.

There are policy conversations about gas in new builds, but existing homes can continue to install gas log fires. Speak with our team about current regulations for your specific situation.

A quality gas log fire serviced annually typically runs 15 to 20 years before major component replacement is needed.

Yes, by law in Victoria. An annual service by a licensed gas fitter is required for safe operation. Typical cost is $150 to $300 per year.

No. All gas appliance installations in Victoria must be carried out by a licensed gas fitter. DIY installation is illegal and voids your home insurance.

Most electric fireplaces produce 1 to 2 kilowatts of heat, which is enough to warm a single room up to about 25 to 30 square metres. They work best as supplementary heating rather than primary heating for larger areas.

Only in smaller spaces. For larger rooms or whole-home heating, electric fireplaces work best alongside reverse-cycle air conditioning that handles the primary heating load.

Modern premium electric fireplaces use LED projection, mirrored surfaces, and patented flame effects that are convincing from across the room. Up close they are clearly artificial, but the visual effect in a living room is strong.

Yes. Most Velisse electric fireplaces let you run the flame effect year-round with the heater switched off, so you get the ambience in summer without the warmth.

Plug-in units do not require installation. Wall-mounted and inbuilt units need a power point installed by a licensed electrician, which is a one to two hour job.

Yes, we arrange professional installation through our network of licensed installers across the Geelong region, Ballarat region, the Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland, and surrounding areas. All work is carried out by Victorian licensed plumbers (for wood heaters) or licensed gas fitters (for gas log fires), with full compliance certification included.

Installation timeframes depend on your home configuration and the installer's schedule. Standard freestanding wood heater installs typically take one day. Gas log fire installs run one to two days. Inbuilt installations with cavity work can take two to three days. Electric units are usually a few hours. Your assigned installer will confirm timing in your quote.

Yes. The installation quote from our partner installer covers the flue kit, flashings, and hearth work needed for compliance. You receive a fully itemised quote so you can see exactly what is included before committing.

Yes. Inbuilt wood heaters and gas inserts can both be fitted into existing fireplaces, often at lower cost than a freestanding install. Bring photos into one of our showrooms and we can usually tell you what will fit. Once you choose a unit, we connect you with a licensed installer who handles the fitting work.

We partner with a network of licensed local installers across regional Victoria. For wood heaters, your installer will be a Victorian-licensed plumber registered in Mechanical Services. For gas log fires, your installer will be a licensed gas fitter. We coordinate the introduction, you receive the installer's quote directly, and all compliance certification is handled by the installing trade.

Specialist installation work is best handled by tradespeople who do it every day. Our installer partners are licensed Victorian plumbers and gas fitters with deep experience in wood heater and gas appliance installation. By focusing on the showroom and product side, we keep heater pricing competitive while ensuring installation is handled by genuine specialists.

For product warranty (faulty unit, manufacturer issues), contact your nearest showroom. For installation issues (workmanship, leaks, faulty fitment), contact your installer directly. Showroom contacts: Geelong (03) 5272 2587, Ballarat (03) 5338 2586, Traralgon (03) 5149 0344.

Yes. Our installation pricing includes the flue kit, flashings, and hearth work needed for compliance. We provide a fully itemised quote so you can see exactly what is included.

Yes. Inbuilt wood heaters and gas inserts can both be fitted into existing fireplaces, often at lower cost than a freestanding install. Bring photos into the showroom and we can usually tell you what will fit.

We have three showrooms across regional Victoria: Geelong at 304 Melbourne Rd, North Geelong; Ballarat at 845 Howitt St, Wendouree; and Traralgon at 194 Argyle St.

All three showrooms are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm. Closed Sundays.

Walk-ins are welcome at all three showrooms. If you want dedicated time with a specialist, book a free in-home consultation and we will come to you.

Yes. We offer free in-home assessments across the Geelong, Ballarat, and Latrobe Valley regions. Our specialist measures your space, discusses your needs, and provides an itemised quote.

Most Evolution Fires products come with a 5-year warranty. Specific terms vary by model and are confirmed at time of purchase.

Most of our wood heater and gas log fire range is Australian-made. Specific manufacturing origin varies by model and is confirmed at time of purchase.

Contact your nearest showroom. Geelong: (03) 5272 2587. Ballarat: (03) 5338 2586. Traralgon: (03) 5149 0344.

Yes. We have been keeping regional Victorian homes warm for over 25 years. We rebranded from Illusion Fires to Evolution Fires while maintaining the same team, showrooms, and product expertise.