Rinnai Velare™ Hybrid Electric Fire Explained
- The ATL Team
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
For years, homeowners have had to choose between the ambience of a fireplace and the practical comfort of a heat pump. A fireplace creates a beautiful focal point and a cosy atmosphere, while a heat pump delivers efficient heating and cooling throughout the year. But until now, achieving both often meant installing two separate systems.
The new Rinnai Velare™ Hybrid Electric Fire changes that.
As the world’s first hybrid electric fire with integrated heat pump technology, the Velare combines the appearance of a premium built-in electric fireplace with genuine heating and cooling performance. The result is a single architectural feature that looks stunning, keeps your home comfortable in every season and eliminates the need for a visible wall-mounted indoor unit.
Whether you’re building a new home, planning a renovation or creating a modern living space, the Velare introduces a completely new way to think about home comfort.
Why the Rinnai Velare™ Matters
Modern homes are designed differently than they were twenty years ago.
Open-plan living spaces, feature walls, large-format tiles and minimalist interiors have become the norm. Homeowners want heating solutions that blend into the design rather than dominate it.
Traditionally, there has always been a compromise.
A built-in fireplace delivers atmosphere, but most electric models only provide supplementary warmth. A heat pump offers excellent efficiency but requires a visible indoor unit mounted on the wall.
The Velare removes that compromise.
Behind its realistic FlameCore™ fire display is a concealed high-performance heat pump that provides genuine heating in winter and cooling throughout summer. Instead of choosing between aesthetics and functionality, homeowners can enjoy both from one integrated appliance.
More Than Just an Electric Fireplace
At first glance, the Velare looks like a premium designer fireplace.
The expansive viewing window, realistic logs and striking FlameCore™ technology create a convincing fire effect that becomes the centrepiece of any living room.
Unlike many electric fireplaces, the flame display can also operate independently of the heating system. This allows you to enjoy the ambience of a fire during warmer evenings or when entertaining guests without adding unnecessary heat to the room.
The fireplace also offers three independently controlled lighting zones, allowing you to customise the flame, ember bed and downlights. With multiple colour themes and brightness levels available, homeowners can tailor the appearance to suit different moods or interior styles.
Hidden Heat Pump Technology
What truly sets the Velare apart is what you don’t see.
Integrated behind the fireplace is a concealed heat pump system capable of delivering powerful, efficient heating and cooling throughout the year.
Unlike a conventional wall-mounted heat pump, the indoor unit is hidden within the fireplace enclosure, preserving clean wall lines and allowing the fireplace itself to remain the visual focus.
This makes the Velare particularly appealing for architectural homes, media walls and living spaces where aesthetics are just as important as performance.
The system delivers up to 6.5 kW of heating and 6.0 kW of cooling, making it a genuine climate control solution rather than simply a decorative electric fire.
Comfort in Every Season
Most fireplaces are only useful during winter.
The Velare is designed for every season.
During colder months, the integrated heat pump efficiently warms your living space, while intelligently directed airflow helps distribute heat throughout the room.
When temperatures rise, the system switches to cooling mode, quietly providing relief from the summer heat.
The adjustable louvres have also been engineered with seasonal comfort in mind. Warm air can be directed throughout the room during winter, while cool air is delivered upwards during summer for a more comfortable experience.
Designed and Assembled for New Zealand Homes
One of the features we particularly like about the Velare is that it hasn’t simply been adapted for the New Zealand market.
It has been designed and assembled here.
That means it has been developed with New Zealand homes, building methods and climate conditions in mind, making it an ideal choice for modern residential construction and renovations.
Installation has also been carefully considered.
Unlike many traditional fireplaces, the Velare doesn’t require special non-combustible wall materials or large clearance zones around the unit, providing greater flexibility when designing feature walls and living spaces.
Perfect for New Builds and Renovations
The Velare is ideally suited to homeowners who are already planning changes to their home.
If you’re building a new home, it’s an opportunity to incorporate heating, cooling and a stunning feature fireplace into the design from the very beginning.
For renovations, it provides a modern alternative to ageing fireplaces while introducing efficient year-round climate control.
It’s particularly well suited for:
New architectural homes
High-end renovations
Open-plan living areas
Feature media walls
Homeowners wanting both ambience and efficiency
Anyone looking to eliminate a visible wall-mounted heat pump
Why We Think This Product Will Be Popular
Products that genuinely create a new category don’t come along very often.
The Velare isn’t simply another electric fireplace or another heat pump. It combines two proven technologies into one product, solving a design challenge many homeowners have faced for years.
Instead of asking whether you’d prefer a fireplace or a heat pump, it asks a better question:
Why not have both?
For homeowners who value great design, efficient performance and year-round comfort, it’s an exciting new option that could quickly become a favourite in modern homes.
The Rinnai Velare™ Hybrid Electric Fire is one of the most innovative home comfort products we’ve seen in recent years.
Combining realistic fireplace ambience with genuine heat pump performance, it delivers efficient heating, refreshing summer cooling and premium architectural styling in one integrated solution.
If you’re planning a new build or renovation, it’s well worth considering before making separate decisions about fireplaces and heating systems.
Ready to Learn More?
At ATL Electrical, we help Canterbury homeowners choose heating and cooling solutions that suit the way they live.
If you’re interested in the new Rinnai Velare™ Hybrid Electric Fire, we’d be happy to discuss whether it’s the right fit for your project, answer your questions and provide expert installation advice.
Get in touch with our team today to learn more about the Rinnai Velare™ or request a quote.
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