Lots of people love having electric fireplaces because they become a focal point for any room. They offer a level of heat control that traditional fireplaces can’t offer. As to how to turn them on and operate them, many models actually come with a remote control. As long as the electric fireplace is plugged in and the power is working, the remote control will turn it on and off as long as the batteries are operational.
Why Should You Get an Electric Fireplace?
One of the best things about electric fireplaces is that technology has come a long way in recent years. As seductive as the traditional fireplace is, more people are turning to the electric fireplace because of the following benefits:
- They Are Safer
One of the biggest risks with a traditional fireplace is that either smoke will enter the home, or that the fire itself will get out of control. Perhaps the biggest risk with the old fireplaces is that carbon monoxide can leak into the home and cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
There is also the very real risk of a fire in an old fireplace that hasn’t been well maintained. In these cases, creosote may build up in the chimney and this can catch on fire. A fire in the chimney is not just a fire risk for the home, but it can also fill the home with smoke and carbon monoxide.
There are no such risks with the modern electric fireplace. It simply plugs into the wall and does what it needs to do. Because the flames are just animation on a screen, there’s no chance of toxic fumes filling up the room.
- Maintenance Is Much Easier
Real fireplaces require quite a lot of maintenance and cleaning. Apart from having to clear out the ash and burned wood, the fire also creates soot and other byproducts that dirty up the fireplace and the chimney. These areas need regular cleaning.
If the chimney remains dirty and clogged up, it means that the fire burns inefficiently and this can lead to toxic gases entering the home. The soot and creosote in the chimney can also catch on fire.
With an electric fireplace, all you have to do is plug it in and turn it on. The rest is easy.
- 3. The Costs Are Lower
As we become more conscious of our utility bills and the money we spend in a struggling economy, it’s also important to ensure that the appliances we depend on are energy efficient and inexpensive to run as well.
A real fireplace costs thousands of dollars to buy and install. This makes it a big initial cost. There are also the ongoing costs of buying enough firewood, which may not always be easily available.
The electric fireplace costs a lot less to buy and install. The ongoing costs are also generally less expensive.
- 4. They Are Often More Efficient to Use
Sometimes, it’s better to use a smaller heating device than rely on one that heats up the whole house and uses a lot more electrical energy. If you only want to heat up one room, turning on a single electric heater will allow you to do so easily and quickly without having to waste power to heat the rest of your home.
In this context, an electric heater is actually a good supplemental heater in the home. Even if you have a ducted system or a gas system, for example, having an electric heater in the room you use the most is a good way to save money when you only need a single small area.
- 5. Much Easier to Install
Perhaps the biggest benefit for homeowners is that an electric fireplace is easier to install. Not only does it cost less than other heating methods, but it’s as easy as plugging it into a wall and switching it on. It doesn’t get much easier than this! This is especially useful for those who are renting or those who don’t want the time delays and mess associated with the installation of a much bigger system.
Should You Only Rely on an Electric Fireplace for Your Home?
As attractive and energy efficient as electric fireplaces are, it’s usually unwise to depend on a single installation for all heating needs. This is especially the case in areas of the country where the temperature drops below zero during the winter time.
As a supplemental heating strategy, an electric fireplace works wonders. It’s easy to install, inexpensive enough to run, and will happily heat a single room. The problem is that most electric fireplaces are not powerful by design. They are designed to supplement a primary heating source rather than replace it.
In effect, this means that it’s unwise to depend solely on a single electric fireplace for home heating needs. Rather, it’s best to use an electric fireplace as a secondary heating solution for when a single room needs to be heated rather than the entire home.
Aesthetic Concerns
Of course, despite the obvious drawback, electric fireplaces can occupy a growing space in the design of many modern homes. Not only are they relatively easy to install, but they look neat on the wall. Many models feature attractive animations of real flames, and for many people this is reason enough to install them in preference to traditional fireplaces.
Conclusion – Is an Electric Fireplace for You?
Electric fireplaces have become very popular in recent years and this has seen them become features in many newly built homes. But, is an electric fireplace a good investment for your own home?
If you already have a primary heating strategy because you live in a particularly cold area of the country, then an electric fireplace can certainly save you some money when you only want to heat up a single area. If you happen to live in warmer areas where the winters are milder, an electric fireplace may actually make more sense, as it can perhaps be used more often to heat smaller areas, thus, saving you money.
