A recent survey carried out by the Irish Nationwide Fireplace Organisation (INFO) showed that 97% of people favoured a fireplace in their homes. The traditional, solid-fuel fire was the most widely used (50%), while gas fires had a significant share of the market (30%). Electric fires, whose style and effectiveness have been much improved over the decades, made up 18% of the households surveyed, while another 2% favoured other fuels.

Fuel choice The single most important consideration when choosing a fireplace is the type of fuel you plan to run it on.

Solid fuel has been used in Ireland for millennia and for the ultimate authentic cosy home atmosphere there is no substitute to a solid-fuel fire.

There are some potential downsides, however, including restrictions on the type of fuel that can be burned in certain parts of the country.

People also crave convenience, so firepacks, firelogs and any labour-saving device which only requires a match to get going is most popular.

Gas, on the other hand, is clean, efficient and more environmentally friendly but the energy regulator's decision to up the price by 34% has made gas a fairly expensive option.

Electricity is becoming more and more popular as traditional houses give way to apartments and duplexes, and chimneys are occasionally left out. We have come a long way since glowing bars were de rigeur but still, the absence of real flames will always place it in a minority category.

No chimney, no problem Even without considering electric fires, there are options for homes that don't have a chimney such as balanced flues, which relate to sealed gas appliances. These do not require air from a room, and use a sort of turbo to expel toxins and take in air from through a hole in the wall.

There are also gas fires which come with a catalytic converter (flueless gas fires).

These are either enclosed in a wall or are free-standing, and the catalytic converter cleans the pollutants out of the emissions. The trouble is that the room they are in will require double the air ventilation, so any efficiency gained will be lost by having at least two holes in the wall.

And the flame picture will tend not to be as active as it would be in a balanced flue gas fire.

Finally, for a real flame, a gel bowl is another option.

These are essentially for aesthetics, and produce a very small residual heat, but they can be lit and the fire remains in the bowl area . . . either in a hearth or some sort of hole in the wall.

The latest looks Believe it or not, next to the kitchen and bathroom, the fireplace is the most desirable feature for house buyers, so never underestimate the importance of its style.

"In Dublin, houses generally are not as big, so people tend to go for a more compact fireplace design, " says Gavin Mullins of Robinson Stone, based in Dublin, which provides a range of stone, wood and cast-iron fires. "Natural and contemporary fireplaces are most popular, with limestone very much in vogue."

Stone is a more expensive surround than, say wood. An entry-level timber surrounded cast-iron fireplace could start at as little as 800, while stone fireplaces will tend to start at 1,500. Brand-name fireplaces will be more expensive again, but customers should also ensure that there are no additional costs, such as the building of a new chimney or flue (costs tend to go upwards of 1,800).

Of course, with the advancement of fire technology, the options are wider than ever. Electric fires now come with all manner of addons, such as pebbles, water features and dancing flames, while wall-mounted, flatscreen TV-style fireplaces (gas or electric) are coming into vogue . . . the look can even tie in with your flat screen TV to give a unified look to a room.

Remote control gas fires are proving popular both for convenience and for those physically unable to stoop down to start the fire. And for solid-fuel burning, many people are opting for a stove, both for aesthetics and for efficiency.

Sleek hole-in-the-wall fireplaces are perfect for those who favour the more contemporary look and take up little space. Suspended fireplaces, where the flue is suspended from the ceiling and the fire and grate hang at the bottom in a pendant style look most impressive, but you definitely need the space to get the full impact.

Efficiency and safety "A standard fire will be about 20% to 30% efficient, " explains William Fenton of Fenton Fires in Greystones, and chairman of The Irish Nationwide Fireplace Organisation (INFO). "A convector box, which projects heat from the chimney back into the room, will be in excess of 50% efficient. But a stove, which can be connected to radiators, will usually be between 70% and 80% efficient."

Still, one issue which concerns both efficiency and safety is the standard of installation. "Apart from the cosmetic issue, the main issue with poorly installed fireplaces is a poor seal between the front of the fireplace and the wall, " says Fenton. "This could lead to smoke leakage, and staining around the fireplace. Carbon monoxide is also an issue, especially with gas fires."

One of INFO's aims is to improve the quality, design and fitting of fireplaces. Its members are self-regulated and adopt the highest standards of industry practice.

"Our fireplace installers are trained by Fas and have the recognised F1 Certification, " says Fenton.

To remain efficient and safe, gas fires should be serviced regularly, and flues and chimneys should be cleaned twice a year.

USEFUL CONTACTS >>Dun Laoghaire Fireplaces 1A Ashgrove Industrial Estate, Kill Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, 1800-562 562; www. dunlaoghaire"replaces. com >> Glorney Chimneys 42 Sundrive Road Dublin 12, 01-492 1355 >> Fenton Fires Greystones, Co Wicklow, 01-287 4310; www. fenton"res. ie >> Hickeys Fireplaces and StovesWilkinstonw Navan and Mullingar, 046-905 4285; www. hickeys"replaces. com >> INFO www."replace. ie >> Kilkenny Living 056-776 8711; www. kilkennyliving. com >> Robinson Stone 79 Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1, 01-830 1301;

www. robinsonstone. ie