Turning up the heat
Cost-effective winter heating solutions, including firelighters, coal, and briquettes, help households stay warm affordably, ShelfLife reports
Print24 October 2025
With energy costs still a top concern in 2025, cost-effective home heating solutions remain essential. Firelighters, coal, briquettes, and other solid fuels continue to play a vital role in helping households stay warm without breaking the bank. Retailers can make a real difference by offering a well-curated range of reliable, value-for-money heating products.
According to recent research by Bord Bia, 62% of Irish consumers cite affordability as their primary consideration when purchasing heating fuels, with reliability and ease of use close behind. This highlights the ongoing importance of stocking trusted brands and products that deliver consistent performance at an accessible price point.
The latest trends and in-demand winter fuel options, from eco-friendly briquettes to compact firelighters and high-efficiency coal, providing retailers with insights on how to tailor their offering, to support customers through the cold season.
By understanding consumer priorities and promoting value-for-money solutions, retailers can not only drive sales but also build lasting customer loyalty during the high-demand winter period.
With careful planning and a strong product mix, solid fuels remain a crucial part of keeping homes warm, safe, and affordable throughout the 2025 winter season.
ZIP leads the way with natural firelighters and fuel
ZIP 14 Great Bags of Fire
ZIP 40 High Performance All Purpose Firelighter
ZIP Starterlog
ZIP 14 Individually Wrapped Firelighters
ZIP 8 100% Natural Peat Briqettes
ZIP Kiln Dried Wood Bag
ZIP Kiln Dried Kindling Bag
There is a clear and growing shift towards eco-friendly products in Ireland, driven mainly by concern over climate change, government initiatives, and businesses adopting more sustainable practices like packaging, supply chains and energy use. This shift is also evident in firelighter and fuel sales. While the market remains relatively small, sales of natural firelighters have seen a significant increase—almost doubling within a year*.
ZIP is leading the way with natural firelighters and fuel with its new and innovative ZIP Great Bags of Fire and the ZIP 100% Natural Heat Briquettes. Similar to the new ZIP Great Bags of Fire the ZIP Heat Briquettes are also made using sustainably sourced willow, which is compressed, producing high heat efficiency and a long clean burn. A perfect replacement for those switching from turf/peat – the Heat Briquettes are available now in Tesco’s and Tesco Express.
While an eco-friendly offering is important to ZIP, the core range is not forgotten about. ZIP offers a wide range of firelighters and fuel for all needs.
ZIP’s original High-Performance All-Purpose Firelighter for those who are into the classics; the ZIP Individually Wrapped Firelighters for those who like a powerful firelighter but also want to keep their hands clean and ZIP’s Starterlog, for those who want an ambient fire in minutes or a super-powerful firelighter.
ZIP also recognises that an efficient wood burning stove can not only be more cost efficient but is better at heating the home***. Consumers tell us they feel like a stove is better for heat retention with one commenting “it warms the bones of the house”, which is why ZIP also offers a range of fuels to accompany the firelighters. This includes low moisture Kiln Dried Firewood & Irish Kiln Dried Kindling, 100% Natural Heatlogs, Smokeless Coal and, as previously mentioned, the new ZIP Heat Briquettes.
ZIP remains committed to supporting consumers with products that deliver both performance, efficiency and environmental responsibility. Whether it’s embracing innovative natural solutions like the new ZIP Great Bags of Fire and the 100% Natural Heat Briquettes, or relying on trusted favourites from the core range, ZIP ensures there’s a firelighter and fuel for every need and every home. Keeping Ireland cosy and warm this winter #giveyourfiresomezip
Q&A with… Frank Cahalan, commercial controller Ireland, ZIP
Q: How is Ireland’s transition away from traditional peat and turf fires influencing innovation in the firelighter market?
A: Although the Natural firelighter segment is still relatively small, compared to more traditional formats, we have seen that demand has increased on ZIP lines with our Natural Firelighters almost doubling in unit sales M.A.T. 6th September 2025 vs YA*. We plan to continue to grow the segment as a whole with our new product lines that are made in Ireland.
Q: What impact have recent regulations around solid fuel emissions had on consumer demand for cleaner fire-lighting solutions?
A: We have seen a big shift towards wood-based fuels. Wood was just over a quarter (26%) of the fuel market 2 years ago but is now just under half (49%) in € / 29% 2YA to 50% in units*. Heat briquettes particularly are growing in popularity with their enhanced burn time and heat output vs natural wood solutions.
Q: What inspired the development of ZIP Great Bags of Fire, and how does it differ from your existing firelighter products?
A: The inspiration for the NEW ZIP Great Bags of Fire reflects our commitment to future proofing our product range in response to ever evolving government regulations, shifting consumer expectations, and the growing demand for environmentally conscious solutions. As our consumers continue to change its important that we are offering products that are not only effective but also sustainable and, where possibly, locally made.
Our vision was to produce a natural firelighter that delivers the same trusted performance as our world-class kerosene firelighters, while meeting the needs of today’s eco-conscious consumer. We didn’t just want to create any natural firelighter we set out to develop something truly innovative, sustainable, and proudly Irish-made.
Cinnamon, one of the key ingredients, is a natural material with properties that help with fast ignition, enhancing the firelighter’s performance without compromising its environmental credentials.
ZIP Great Bags of Fire offer a powerful, natural alternative for consumers who want a cleaner, greener choice of firelighter without sacrificing quality or convenience. It’s a product born from consumer insight, environmental responsibility, and home-grown innovation.
Keep an eye out in-store and try it for yourself.
Q: What makes your firelighter range stand out in the market?
A: The ZIP firelighters range offers Irish consumers high performance, long burn time, and proven efficacy. Our customers trust the brand to get the job done — they know our firelighters will light first time, every time, even with hard-to-light fuels.
Our complete range of fuels and firelighters caters to everyone — from traditionalists to time-poor convenience shoppers and the eco-conscious. All our products are simple and easy to use, making them accessible to all.
We are proud to be Ireland’s No.1 branded firelighter*
Sources:
*NielsenIQ ROI Data 52wks to 07.09.2025.
**https://www.allirelandsustainability.com/sustainable-business-practices-in-ireland
*** References – The Truth About Running Costs: Is a Stove Cheaper Than Central Heating, The Complete Cost of Running and Maintaining a Wood Burning Stove in the UK, Log Burners vs Gas Central Heating – Which is Cheaper in 2025? – Heatable, How Much Does It Cost To Run Gas Central Heating in 2025?, How Much Does an Electric Boiler Cost to Run in 2025?, Electric Central Heating – Which?
Calor launches Ireland’s first vending machine service for gas cylinders
Calor Gas2Go vending machine, Kilcock
Calor has recently unveiled Calor Gas2Go, Ireland’s first vending machine system which gives domestic customers a brand-new way to access Calor gas cylinders on demand. The new, innovative vending machines are stand-alone, solar-powered units and provide secure, self-service access to Calor cylinders, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For almost 90 years, Calor has ensured that homes and businesses across Ireland – particularly rural communities in Ireland – have access to clean, reliable and lower carbon energy, regardless of location. The introduction of new vending machines for gas cylinder products modernises the way cylinders are supplied and reinforces the return-and-reuse sustainable model for Calor cylinders.
The first Calor Gas2Go vending machines have been installed at Kilcock, Co. Kildare and Loughrea, Co. Galway.
The benefits of the new vending machines include:
24/7 access: collect or return cylinders at any time, day or night
Return and reuse: a greener and more sustainable alternative to disposable supply models, with BioLPG renewable gas blend available in the Patio Gas option
Safety and security: purpose-built vending units for secure cylinder storage, helping make sure that customers can be sure of high-quality and reliable Calor gas
Ease of use: a simple, automated system designed with household users in mind
Commenting, Marc van Huet, chief financial officer, Calor, said: “Calor is really proud to lead the way in bringing this innovative, customer-focused service to the Irish market. We are partnering with key local outlets to bring Calor Gas2Go to service stations in Co Kildare and Co Galway. With this new pilot launching this October, we hope to bring improved convenience to our customers.
“At Calor, we are always looking to continually offer our customers the best and most convenient service possible. We saw a successful launch of this new vending machine service in France by our sister SHV Energy company, Primagaz, and we are pleased to now bring this new technology here to Ireland. We have listened to our customers and the new Calor Gas2Go service will make sure that access to our quality products is simple, convenient and more flexible. With the touch of a button, Calor customers can now avail of quality Calor gas cylinder whenever they need them.”
Johnny Browne, owner of Browne’s Centra in Kilcock, Co. Kildare, added: “We’re delighted to partner with Calor to be the first location in Ireland to offer this kind of service. We’re always looking for new ways to provide more convenient options for our local community and the new Calor Gas2Go vending machine is a great addition to our service offerings.”
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