I have also spoken to Gazco's technical department, and they confirm
that the figure is correct. (Incidentally, I understand that the heat
input and output are quoted at the same figures for these fires.) The
efficiency rate is between 15% and 25%, depending on the setitng - most
of the heat disappears up the chimney, as with open wood fires. So even
the large fire version may only produce 4.8 kw of heating.

Hmmm....

I will actually probably be looking to install the medium sized fire,
which has a (still apalling) maximum input of 21.9 kw. However, my
query mentioned the consumption figure for the large fire as installing
this size is a remote possibility.

I am looking at these fires as they match the existing wood burning
grate. A smaller fire would be lost in the seven foot wide, three foot
deep inset fireplace (it's an early 17th century farmhouse).

Why not a wood burning grate or stove for a _real_ fire? If you're in
a rural area there's always plenty of wood around...

The high
gas consumption isn't a major concern for reasons which I won't go into
here (but it's not because I'm mega-wealthy!).

Go on

cheers,
Pete.