Nothing is cozier than curling up in front of the fire on cold days. The most efficient way to heat a house is by installing electric fireplaces. These fireplaces can be described as electric heaters that mimic the appearance of natural wood, coal, or natural gas fireplace.
Best Electric Fireplaces
1. TURBRO Suburbs TS25 Freestanding Infrared Electric Fireplace 24 inch
Pros:
Work well in small to mid-sized room
Small, freestanding vintage design
Adjustable flames brightness levels
Separate control on flame and heat
Smart remote control combined with the thermostat
Customizable timer for better control
Safe overheating protection
1,400-watt fan heater
Cons:
May not heat up a large space very well
2. R.W.FLAME Recessed and Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace 50 inch
Pros:
User-friendly fan heater
Attractive slim fireplace with a 3.85-inch thickness
Multiple flame colors, flame speed modes, flame brightness levels, and automatic flame color and brightness changes
2 adjustable instant heating mode: 750W & 1500W
Overheating protection
Easy to install
Cons:
Some customers noted that the noise is a bit bigger than regular ones.
Don’t heat well in a big area.
3. Duraflame Portable 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace DFI-5010
Pros:
Put out 5,200 BTUs of heat to medium-sized space
3D flame effect with 5 adjustable color, brightness, and speed modes
Infrared quartz heat keeps natural humidity in the air
Overheat protection
Adjustable, digital thermostat
Volts:120. Amps: 12.5
Remote works well
Cons:
Some customers noted heat output may not be enough to fill a 1,000 square feet room.
4. Ameriwood Home Lamont Mantel Fireplace
$402.02
Pros:
Made of laminated MDF and particle board
Crisp white finish with dark gray faux marble effect around the electric fireplace insert
3 tier Altra Lamont mantel fireplace
Remote control on temperature, flame brightness and heat setting
Add a modern style to any home
Cons:
This fireplace mantel and insert are heavy, need 2 adults for proper assembly
5. Homedex Recessed Mounted Electric Fireplace Insert
$269.99
Pros:
Modern design with LED technology
Touch screen control panel for convenient use
Two heat settings: high 1500W and low 750W
Countdown timer setting up to 12 hours
A variety of flame color and brightness effects with or without heat
Maintain natural humidity in the air
In-wall recessed or wall-hung mounted
Cons:
Heat is not enough for a big room
6. SEI Furniture Calvert Electric Carved Floral Trim Fireplace
Pros:
Energy-efficient and safe to use
Radiant heat up to 400 square feet
1500 watt, 120v self-regulating fireplace
Safe to touch glass protection and with a child safety lock
Remote control to adjust thermostat, timer, logs, and flames
Classic mantel style with a rich Espresso finish and floral trim
Cons:
May have assembly difficulties, need a helper
Benefits of Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular with both homeowners and renters due to their eco-friendly advantages, cost savings, portability, versatility, and easy to use. They allow you to enjoy the warmth, romance, and captivating dance of flames even without having a wood-burning fireplace.
Eco-friendly
To power an electric fireplace, you don’t have to cut wood or run a gas line. All you need is an electrical outlet. It will not pollute the air because it emits nothing into the atmosphere.
Affordable
Electric fireplaces are much easier to install than natural gas and wood-burning fireplaces. An electric fireplace only costs 18 cents an hour to operate, with the heater and flame on.
Easy installation
An electric fireplace does not require a chimney, vent or flue to be installed. You just need to plug it into a wall outlet, you can run an electric fireplace with or without heat. Let the ‘fire’ burn and turn off the heat if you don’t need to heat your space, but still want the beauty of dancing flames.
Safe
Electric fireplaces are not only realistic looking and heat-producing, but they also eliminate the dangers and mess of traditional fireplaces. They do not emit smoke, ash, or firewood, are also much safer for indoor air quality. The glass surfaces don’t get hot so they are safe for pets and children.
Low maintenance
You will not have to do regular maintenance, cleaning, or inspections in order to keep your electric fireplace safe to use.
How Do Electric Fireplaces Give Off Heat?
There are mainly two basic heating systems are available for electric fireplaces: infrared quartz and forced fan.
Infrared quartz
These units are higher-tech. They use infrared light instead of hot coils to heat the air and transmit warmth to objects close to the fireplace. Infrared-quartz units can produce up to 9,600 BTUs heat and are great for large rooms. They can generally cover up to 1,000 square feet. Infrared-quartz fireplaces also have the advantage of not lowering the humidity level.
Forcing fan
Electric fireplaces are equipped with fans that draw cool air into the room, heating it with heated coils, and then gently blowing the warm air out through a fan. These fireplaces can produce up to 4,600 BTUs heat and are suitable for spaces of 400 square feet.
How Do Electric Fireplaces Create Flames?
Electric fireplaces can produce delightful flames that fool your eyes into believing you may feel like you are going to burn your fingers with the heat. The fluid, dynamic feeling of real flames can be simply created with a variety of techniques. Most commonly, a colored LED bulb is placed on a rotating “rotisserie”, which bounces light in random patterns to resemble real flames. the refractor spins and makes a crackling sound, adding another dimension to the fire’s authenticity. Many electric fireplaces let you adjust the flame effect to create a soft glow or a roaring fire.
What Type Of Electric Fireplace Is The Best?
No matter what style or layout your home has, there’s an electric fireplace for you. Let’s look at some of the different styles available.
Media center fireplaces
These electric fireplaces are plug-in units fitted into a television/entertainment center. You can place a TV or any other media above the fireplace without any negative effects because most electric fireplaces will blow the heat out of the front or bottom.
Freestanding electric stove fireplaces
The freestanding electric stove fireplace means it is not installed into a fireplace (that type of woodstove can be called a fireplace insert.) It is reminiscent of old-fashioned wood-burning stoves. Some freestanding fireplaces are on legs while others are on pedestals. They all stand at least two inches above the ground.
Plug-in inserts
Plug-in inserts can be used to replace a fireplace in a mantel. You can choose to have an electrician add to the inside of the fireplace or not add.
Corner electric fireplaces
These fireplaces are great for small rooms. They are easy to be mounted on any corner of your home because they don’t require venting.
Wall-mounted electric fireplaces
These sleek fireplaces can be mounted on any wall far away from moisture. They can add modern style to any room, just like a flat-screen TV or a piece of art on the wall.
Electric log sets
These units are perfect for any existing electric or gas fireplace that is not in use. They resemble logs laid on top of a grate. These units can be plugged into an existing fireplace.
Fireplaces with traditional mantels
These units, which look similar to traditional fireplaces, come with a mantel.
What To Consider Before Buying Electric Fireplaces?
Space
You will need to measure the area where your fireplace should be placed. This includes clearance from nearby windows, doors, and walkways. It is not a good idea to discover too late that the fireplace is too big or too small for the space.
A corner or wall-mounted unit, such as one mounted on a corner unit, can be installed in a small space to provide the benefits of a fireplace but does not require much space.
A small portable fireplace is the best choice for renters or those who need to move it from one room to another. Electric fireplaces with mantels are ideal for permanent locations as they are heavy and difficult to move.
Electric fireplaces typically have 700 to 1,500 Watts. 700 watts should be sufficient for a small space. If your room is larger, you will need a 1,500-watt unit.
Wattage & wiring
When shopping for an electric fireplace, it is important to choose a lower wattage and a higher BTU rating. Electric fireplaces are much more efficient than wood-burning fireplaces because they can use a standard 120 volt plug (1500 watts).
Style
Electric fireplaces are just like real fireplaces. They come in different widths, heights, and designs. Choose the one that balances your space: a larger unit in large rooms, or a smaller unit within a small area. You can match any decor style with an electric fireplace’s mantel or fireplace-front design, from traditional to modern.
Timer
You can set the timer to allow your fireplace to burn as long as you like. The fireplace will shut off automatically when it reaches the end of its time.
Flame-only/heat-only
This feature is necessary when if you want to heat the room without the flame, or if you just want the flame effect without heating the room.
Thermostat
The thermostat controls the heat that your electric fireplace emits.
Brightness
You can adjust the brightness of your flames to give them a soft glow, or to make them shine brighter.
Flame speed
This allows you to adjust the intensity of the “flames”, from a flickering flame to a roaring fire.
Remote control
Nearly every electric fireplace has a remote control. Some have an on/off switch while others allow you to control the flame intensity, heat, and brightness.
Overheat auto-off
This safety feature turns the fireplace off when it starts to overheat.
Cool touch
While electric fireplaces do not have real flames they can heat the glass and fireplace housing. The cool-touch unit ensures that the glass doesn’t heat up, which is important for pet owners and children.
Air filtration
An air purifier is included in some electric fireplaces to remove dust, allergens, and mold.
How Much Do Electric Fireplaces Cost?
Purchase cost /Installation cost
There are various electric fireplaces on the market. The prices of most range from $100 to $3000. You should make sure if the price includes a fireplace mantel or frame.
Running cost
It is economical to heat a room with an electric fireplace. The operation cost differs by the fireplace wattage and running time. According to how many kilowatts are spent per hour, how many hours of operation, and the price of electricity, you can calculate the total running cost for a month and a season. Most electric fireplaces cost less than a penny per hour. You can also lower the central heat in your home, which is another benefit.
Maintenance cost
Electric fireplaces require very little maintenance, other than occasional dusting the mantel or outside surfaces.
How to Use an Electric Fireplace Safely?
- Always keep flammable items away from a fireplace.
- Always read the product specs for maximum size and weight for anything you place on top.
- Never leave an electric fireplace unattended, especially when you are not at home.
- Before plugging into the wall outlet, check that your electrical wiring is capable of handling the fireplace.
FAQ
Q. Is it possible to run an electric fireplace all night?
A. Yes. It is fine to leave an electric fireplace on overnight, but it is best to turn it off when you are not in the room or planning to get some sleep. Although electric fireplaces don’t produce carbon monoxide fumes.
Q. Do electric fireplaces require a vent?
A. No. Electric fireplaces don’t emit any fumes or smoke that may pollute the air. This is one of the best things compared with other devices like wood and gas fireplaces.
Q. How long can electric fireplaces last?
A. 10-20 years
Depending on how often they are used, electric fireplaces can last between 10-20 years. Depending on the model, warranties can vary from one year to 10 years.
Q. Do you need permits to install an electric fireplace in your home?
A. No. You don’t need any permits to install an electric fireplace. But may need an electrician if you want to install a permanently mounted wired-in unites.