Fire It Up

There’s something about a cozy, well-lit fireplace gracing a space. Regardless of the season or the geographic location of an environment, incorporating a fireplace adds a unique aesthetic by helping create a simplified, relaxing experience. And while an RV’s interior is not appropriate for an open-flame fireplace, more RV owners are incorporating innovative electric fireplaces into their mobile abodes. Whether an RV is situated overlooking the stunning desert-scapes of Arizona or is tucked away in the mountains of Colorado, a fireplace is the ideal accoutrement to the RV environment.

Lumina Products has been a leading player in the ethanol fireplace market since 2006. By 2018, the company identified a growing demand for a fireplace alternative that offered a safe, high-quality, reliable and, most importantly, believable and realistic flame to be used within the RV industry as well as other environments — unlike traditional electric fireplaces, which often lacked authenticity.

“Safety became a top priority as our clients, particularly those in public spaces like hotels, restaurants, airports, spas and retirement facilities, were increasingly restricted from using open flames,” says Alan Lewinger, founder of Aquafire, which is a registered trademark of Lumina Products Inc., the North American distribution partner for Afire Design.

Consumers were also seeking clean-burning, easy-to-use options that required no storage of hazardous fuels and were environmentally friendly. As Lewinger points out, this need was further amplified by new legislation across the U.S. that limited the use of wood, pellet and gas fireplaces.

“In response, we collaborated closely with our European manufacturing partner, Afire Design, to develop Aquafire in 2018. This innovative product is now the most technologically advanced water vapor fireplace on the market. It is 100% safe, environmentally friendly, easy to install and cost-effective to operate, all while delivering the most realistic 3D flames that are cool to the touch, being solely powered by tap water,” Lewinger says. And Aquafire exudes the contemporary linear design, which continues to be a favorite among consumers, especially those looking for a modern design with amenities aplenty. In fact, RV enthusiasts in warmer climes are drawn to electric linear fireplaces because they provide the ability to have the ambiance a fire brings to a space without the heat.

By focusing on a water vapor fireplace, Lumina Products saw a clear need in the market for an alternative to traditional wood, pellet and gas fireplaces. These traditional options posed various challenges: they could be dangerous, required the storage of hazardous fuels, negatively impacted air quality and were costly to install and operate.

“Additionally, they produced excessive heat, limiting their use to colder months,” Lewinger says. “With increasing legislation restricting their installation and use, and the limitations of electric fireplaces in providing a convincing flame effect, we sought a better solution.”

Partnering with Afire Design in Europe, they developed a product that offered the realism of a 3D flame you could touch without the risks associated with open flames — no odor, soot, dirt or high installation and operating costs.

“Aquafire allows for installation in places where real flames would be impossible, such as cruise ships, public spaces and RVs, and it can be enjoyed year-round regardless of the weather,” Lewinger says. Aquafire’s water vapor flame is created by ultrasonic technology that vibrates a small ceramic plate at high frequencies to create a fine mist, which is illuminated by LED lights that change color and intensity to create the appearance of flames.

RV owners’ interest in this water vapor technology grabbed the attention of Lewinger and his team, who saw the opportunity to enhance the RV experience for owners and renters alike.

As he explains, installing a product with a real open flame in an RV is not feasible, making a traditional fireplace out of the question. Aquafire provides RV enthusiasts with the realism and ambience of a fireplace without the associated dangers, allowing them to enjoy a safe and entertaining fire feature. What’s more, because of the installation flexibility that Aquafire offers, RV owners can enjoy contemporary styling and smaller footprints that allow these fireplaces to fit nicely in more intimate settings, such as an RV’s sitting area or bedroom.

“The product is easy to install, requiring only 20 inches of linear space for our smallest unit, and is cost-effective to operate, using regular tap water and running for 20 hours on just 2 liters,” Lewinger says. “It offers maximum enjoyment with realistic 3D flames that are cool to the touch — unmatched by any other product, except for a real fire.” Aquafire’s design and manufacturing embraces sustainability thanks to its limited energy usage and maintenance requirements.

Currently, Aquafire is available as an aftermarket product in the RV industry. However, the company is actively working to establish supplier relationships with key players in the RV market.

“We anticipate that Aquafire fireplaces will soon become an integral feature offered by several RV manufacturers,” Lewinger says.

For RV dealers and installers who may be interested in expanding their fireplace offerings, it is important to note that Aquafire is simple to install, requiring only a standard 110-volt outlet — no hardwiring necessary. In addition, the unit can be either direct-plumbed or manually filled using the integral pump.

“It requires minimal power and water resources, produces no heat and poses no danger,” Lewinger says. The Aquafire unit also includes germicidal UV-C lights in the tanks, which kill viruses, bacteria, spores, microorganisms and pathogens, ensuring a healthy environment in tight, constrained spaces. The unit typically requires quick cleanings two to three times a year to prevent scaling and general buildup caused by stagnant water.

“We offer comprehensive support through installation guides, videos and virtual assistance,” Lewinger says.

For more information about Aquafire units, Lewinger says to reach out to the sales team at sales@aquafire.com or learn more at aquafire.com.