Collection: Electric Fireplaces

Everything you Need to Know about Electric Fireplaces

During these cold and dark winter months, there is something comforting and sentimental that comes with sitting in front of the fireplace together with your family. Despite the fact that virtually every home in the United States used to have a fireplace (before the day and age of central heating), today only 41 percent of single-family homes started in 2018 include a fireplace, according to recent data. Beyond their sentimental value, however, fireplaces have been shown to drastically improve a home´s value. The 2007 National Association of Realtors survey found that 46 percent of home buyers would pay more for a home with at least one fireplace. Furthermore, a survey of more than 100 real estate agents across the country determined that more than two-thirds of those agents (68 percent) believe that having a fireplace in a home increases its value between $1,000 and $4,999.

So why exactly aren’t more homeowners installing fireplaces in their homes? Though some homeowners may have merited uncertainties regarding the safety of wood fireplaces in terms of how they impact indoor air quality, electric fireplaces are another option worth considering. Electric fireplaces do not negatively impact a home´s indoor air quality and newer models are increasingly energy efficient. In this short review, we take a look at why you should consider installing an electric fireplace in your home.

Electric Fire Places: What are They and Why are they a Great Option

For homes that don’t already have a functioning gas or wood fireplace, installing one is most likely going to cost you a pretty penny. Both gas and wood fireplaces require a chimney or flue in order to safely take the exhaust fumes out of your home. If your house doesn’t already have a chimney, it is most likely going to be an expensive renovation that will require major modifications to your home.

Electric fireplaces, on the other hand, do not require any sort of chimney because of the fact that there is no “combustion” involved. Installing an electric fireplace in an existing home, then, is almost always going to be the most cost-effective option for homeowners. Instead of hiring a professional contractor to make major changes to your home, most electric fireplaces can be installed in a few hours, and can even be done by homeowners who have a bit of DIY skills.

Top 3 Reasons to Purchase an Electric Fireplace

Okay, so fireplaces may be the most affordable option for existing homes. But what are some of the other advantages that come with an electric fireplaces compared to more “traditional” wood and gas alternatives?

Reason #1 to Choose an Electric Fireplace: Protect your Indoor Air Quality

According to a recent study by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times — and occasionally more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels. These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern, because most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors.”

Wood burning stoves and wood fireplaces may contribute to poor indoor air quality. In fact, burning wood or charcoal indoors may triple harmful indoor air pollution, with fine particle levels (PM 2.5) in wood-heated homes being at least 26 percent higher than in homes without wood fireplaces or wood stoves. Electric fireplaces, on the other hand, do not “combust” resources like gas or wood to produce a fire. This means that no combustible by-products such as wood smoke or carbon dioxide (from gas fireplaces) are released into the atmosphere. The heat from an electric fireplace will never negatively affect your home´s indoor air quality.

Reason #2 to Choose an Electric Fireplace: The Best Plug and Play Option

Many electric fireplaces on the market simply plug into an electrical outlet. This means that you can enjoy the warm heat of a fireplace in virtually every room of your home. If your home office is a bit chilly in the early mornings when you sit down to check your email, you can simply take that fireplace (and its heat) with you. Larger and more detailed electric fireplaces may require an electrician to hardwire the connection using either 120V or 240V. Either way, however, an electric fireplace can allow you to enjoy the warmth and beauty of a fireplace without investing major time and money in installation.

Reason #3 to Choose an Electric Fireplace: Customization and Smart Home Technologies

Lastly, electric fireplaces offer homeowners a huge variety of customization options. Many electric fireplaces can be remotely controlled, and others can even connect with your smart home hub so that you can turn on your fireplace and warm up your living room while you are driving home from work. Other customization options include:

• LED displays with temperature settings
• Different lighting settings and functions
• A built-in thermostat
• Inner glow logs and other unique “ember” options
• Color themes

What Factors to Take into Consideration when Purchasing an Electric Fireplace

If you want the luxurious feel of an electric fireplace, there are no shortages of options to choose from. From simple “plug and play” small electric fireplaces that you can plug into an outlet and even carry with you, to larger products that mimic the aesthetic of a traditional fireplace and mantle, there are electric fireplace options for everyone. Though the best electric fireplace will depend on your unique needs, here are a few factors to take into consideration:

• Heat output: In general, you should look for an electric fireplace that emits between 4,500 and 5,000 BTU. That will be enough to reliably heat a 450 square foot space.
• Energy efficieny: Though fireplaces are not rated by the Energy Star program, there are still significant differences in how much energy is consumed to produce the heat. The most efficient electric fireplaces will consume around 1,500 watts. Others, however, may have different settings, letting you lower that consumption to 750 watts for lower heat output.
• Placement and aesthetic: Lastly, you will also want to consider where you might be placing your electric fireplace. Today, homeowners can choose from wall-mounted fireplaces that can be flush (built-in) or stick-out, faux stone fireplaces that mimic a traditional mantle, and more modern options with different LED lighting schemes.