The Salgueda Saphire E865-N energy fireplace was installed on May 22nd, 2022. Today, I will write about the installation and first impressions, and I will provide further updates during winter when I use it for heating and performance evaluation, etc.
Mrs. Despina, whom I spoke to for the purchase, was kind and informative. She explained how energy fireplaces work and recommended the best solution. She introduced me to the installation team with whom I contacted Mr. Dimitris Z. and we scheduled the installation day. The fireplace was delivered on the same day by the company's transport. It is worth mentioning that it weighs 160 kilograms, much heavier than the competition with the same efficiency. I measured the walls with a caliper and they are 4 mm thick steel. The installation team did an excellent job. They were professional and isolated the work area with nylon, so even though at least 15 bags of dust and debris were removed from the fireplace, none of it spread to the rest of the house. The fireplace I ordered was 1.5 cm taller than the old opening, yet it fit perfectly without breaking the brickwork. They laid it down, placed it inside, lifted it, and no damage was done. The combustion chamber is top-notch. In the test we conducted, the air coming out of the grate was hot. Dimitris explained that temperatures inside the combustion chamber reach over 200 degrees Celsius. The materials used were of high quality. The hole they opened for the grate was so precise that when it was installed, you couldn't tell it was there before.
I only found one issue afterwards. The brochures inside the fireplace have a sticker stating that it is classified as energy class A and has a 12 kW rating. I don't know what this means and if it refers to its thermal efficiency, it might be related to another measurement. The website states that it has an 18 kW output, and Dimitris mentioned that with the combustion chamber, it reaches 22-23 kW. In terms of appearance, the Saphire E865 is beautiful in the space. The glass covers the entire surface, which makes a difference. The noise from the fans is not negligible. It sounds like an old-fashioned air conditioner. Additionally, I purchased a grate that fits in specific (3) positions on the walls for cooking in a casserole dish, roasting chestnuts, etc. I believe it will make perfect meals. I will provide further updates during winter regarding its performance, etc.
UPDATE 1/12/22
The Salgueda Saphire E865-N energy fireplace has been tested around 20 times, and conclusions have been drawn. Its performance is satisfactory in terms of heating the space. The wood consumption depends on how open the air intake is (lower lever). When the air intake is open, it consumes wood more easily but heats the space much better. I used a 5 kg piece of pine with a diameter of 20 cm and a length of 40 cm, and it lasted comfortably for 2 hours. A construction timber lasted approximately 8 hours to be consumed. Olive, oak, and pine wood were also used.
The glass darkens relatively easily but can be easily cleaned with a damp newspaper and ash.
Overall, it is a good choice and heats an area of around 60-70 square meters. The highest temperature I observed on the thermometer after 4-5 hours with the fireplace lit on a day when the outside temperature was around 11-12 degrees Celsius was 25 degrees Celsius. Satisfactory temperature. The adjacent areas increased by 1 to 2 degrees depending on the distance from the fireplace.
If you have euros for wood, unless you are in a rural area, everything else is good...