Should I Get An Electric Fireplace?

Should I Get An Electric Fireplace?

Many people desire to have a cozy living room with comfortable seats and a beautiful fireplace to enjoy the chilly winter evenings. Although this dream is a lovely idea, real fireplaces are often expensive and require a lot of work and money, even if your home already has one installed. While the cost and maintenance of a real fireplace may have you down, there are alternative options available to you. Electric fireplaces offer many of the same benefits as real fireplaces while saving you time and money and giving you some great bonuses.

Pros of Electric Fireplaces

• An electric fireplace helps you avoid the maintenance required of a wood-burning fireplace. No wood or gas is used, which means no fumes in your home. Their size can range from quite small to units that look like a full fireplace, including the mantle.
• Once installed, they require a significantly low amount of maintenance. There is no chimney to clean and no need to worry about cleaning up the logs or ash. They have a much lower cost compared to real fireplaces. They are energy efficient and last for quite a long time.
• You have plenty of designs to choose from when selecting one. They are safe, not only by having no fumes but also, since there is no fire, there is no need to worry about getting burned. Generally, they are cool to the touch, even when they are turned on.

Cons of Electric Fireplaces

• There are few drawbacks, though. The larger space that you are looking to heat would require a more substantial electric fireplace, usually costing more money than a smaller size. Unless you have a generator, it won’t work during any power outages.
• One issue that may be a drawback to some is that although the installation process can be quite simple, having an electrician come to make sure you have a proper and safe installation is generally a good idea. Even though this will cost you just a bit of money, the peace of mind you will receive after is priceless.
• Shopping around online and going to showrooms in person are two great ways to help determine the perfect electric fireplace for you and your home. Electricians are excellent resources to use to answer any questions you may have about which one would be right for the space you are looking to heat.
• The installation process is usually quite simple. However, most people will find comfort in having a professional electrician come to ensure a proper and safe installation. You also need to make sure that if it is a simple plug-in fireplace that you connect it to the appropriate outlet.

Is an Electric Fireplace the Right Choice for You?

• Shopping around online is an excellent way to browse what options are available to you. Another way to help you decide is to see some yourself at a showroom if possible. That is a great way to help determine what size you want, where it should go in your home and would help answer questions you have, such as how the aesthetics look, the heat output, and more.
• The coziness of a fireplace without the drawbacks of a real gas or wood-burning fireplace can easily be achieved with an electric option. They are worth looking into if you want a heating option for your home.
  If you are looking to heat an ample space, you will need a big electric fireplace to do the job, which can cost you a bit more than the smaller ones.
• An alternative option is to ask a local electrician to help you find the right type for you and your space. They can help make sure you find one that is right for the area you are looking to heat. With an electrical home inspection, they can check to make sure your electrical system can handle your preferred model. They can also make sure that it adequately installed and the safety requirements are up to code.

How Safe are Electric Fireplaces?

• When compared to gas and wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces are often the safest option. They have no fumes or fire. There won’t be any heat loss due to a chimney. They can heat a room quickly, and that room will stay warm throughout the entire duration of the use. You also won’t have an issue with gas fumes, smoke, tar build-up, or escaping gas, all of which are issues you may have with a traditional fireplace.
• They are a great heating alternative for those with allergies or sinus issues. There is no forced-air system to spread dust and other allergen particles throughout the air. The air quality can improve by using an electric fireplace.
• They make great supplemental heating options for homes with children or pets. They maintain heat at a lower temperature and often include a “safe-to-touch” glass that remains at a low temperature, preventing burns. Since there is no real fire involved, you won’t have to worry about an out of control fire or a chimney hazard.

In Conclusion

Even if a real fireplace is not an option for you, an electric fireplace is a cozy alternative. These electronic versions offer many of the same benefits and can save you time, energy, and money.

There are many benefits to getting an electric fireplace. They are low maintenance, have no fumes, stay relatively cool to the touch and come in a variety of sizes and design options. They are generally cheaper than real fireplaces, energy-efficient, and last for a long time.

They are a great alternative to a real fireplace and is an excellent supplementary heating option for those sensitive to allergy or sinus issues. They are safe for homes that include children or pets with no worry of burns or fumes.