What Is a Hybrid Electric Fire?
What Is a Hybrid Electric Fire? Meet the Rinnai Velare 1500
Why choose between a fireplace and a heat pump when you can have both?
Home heating is changing, and the new Rinnai Velare® 1500 Hybrid Electric Fire brings two familiar home-comfort products together in one striking appliance.
It combines the ambience and visual appeal of an electric fireplace with the heating and cooling performance of an integrated heat pump. The result is a feature fireplace that can help keep your living space warm in winter and cool in summer.
What is a hybrid electric fire?
A hybrid electric fire combines realistic electric flame technology with a heat pump.
Traditional electric fires are primarily designed to create atmosphere and may provide supplementary heating. A hybrid system goes further by incorporating heat-pump technology capable of efficiently heating and cooling the room.
That means one appliance can provide:
🔥 Realistic fireplace ambience
🔥 Efficient winter heating
❄️ Summer cooling
🏠 A stylish architectural feature
⚡ Year-round climate control
How does the Rinnai Velare work?
The Velare 1500 combines two technologies.
Rinnai’s FlameCore™ technology creates the realistic flame appearance, while an integrated heat pump provides heating and cooling. The two functions can work together to create both atmosphere and comfortable room temperatures.
Unlike a conventional fireplace that may sit unused through summer, the Velare can continue working as part of your home comfort system throughout the year.
Hybrid electric fire vs a traditional electric fire
A conventional electric fireplace is usually chosen primarily for its appearance, with electric resistance heating providing additional warmth.
A hybrid electric fire incorporates heat-pump technology, giving it significantly greater climate-control capability while retaining the appearance of a fireplace.
Hybrid electric fire vs a heat pump
A traditional wall-mounted heat pump is excellent at heating and cooling, but it generally isn’t designed to become the visual centrepiece of a living room.
The Velare combines those practical benefits with the look and atmosphere of a contemporary fireplace.
In other words, you don’t necessarily have to choose between the fireplace you want to look at and the heat pump you need to heat the room.
Is a hybrid electric fire worth considering?
For a new build, renovation or contemporary living space, absolutely.
Installing a hybrid electric fire may also reduce the need to find separate wall space for both a feature fireplace and an indoor heat-pump unit. Rinnai describes the Velare as a single integrated heating, cooling and fireplace solution.
Designed for New Zealand homes
The Rinnai Velare 1500 Hybrid Electric Fire is designed and assembled in New Zealand, specifically with Kiwi homes and conditions in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a hybrid electric fire?
A hybrid electric fire combines the ambience of a realistic flame fireplace with the heating and cooling performance of an integrated heat pump. Unlike a standard electric fireplace, it provides efficient year-round climate control in one appliance, delivering the visual appeal of a premium fire alongside powerful heating and cooling for modern homes.
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How does a hybrid electric fire work?
A hybrid electric fire works by combining two technologies in one appliance. Advanced flame technology creates a realistic fireplace experience, while an integrated heat pump delivers powerful heating and cooling performance.
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What’s the difference between a hybrid electric fire and a heat pump?
A heat pump is designed to provide efficient heating and cooling, whereas a hybrid electric fire combines this climate control technology with the ambience of a realistic flame fireplace. So you get the best of both worlds.
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Is a hybrid electric fire worth it?
For homeowners wanting more than a traditional fireplace, a hybrid electric fire can definitely be worth the investment. By combining realistic flame ambience with efficient heating and cooling in one appliance, it can replace the need for separate fireplace and heat pump solutions.
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How much does a hybrid electric fire cost to run?
It really depends on factors like the size of your room, how much you use it, energy prices, and what temperature you set it at. But because it uses efficient heat pump technology, a hybrid electric fire can provide more heating and cooling performance for less energy than traditional electric heating methods, while offering year-round comfort in one appliance.
Talk to Yourstore
Yourstore can help with the Rinnai Velare 1500 Hybrid Electric Fire, including product advice, pricing and installation options.
Whether you’re building, renovating or simply looking for a cleaner contemporary heating solution, talk to us about whether a hybrid electric fire is right for your home.
Yourstore | NZ Heating & Outdoor Living Specialists
📞 0800 111 688
📍 Christchurch Home Ideas Centre, 37 Mandeville Street, Riccarton
🚚 Delivery available throughout New Zealand
Free delivery nationwide. Business addresses only.
