Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces heat cool air with coils and circulate it back into the room using a blower or fan. LED light bulbs and a refractor create the illusion of flickering flames. Some, like this Amantii 26-inch fireplace, also include a speaker so you don’t miss the crackling sound of a fire!

These options work well as a supplemental heat source. Electric fireplace heaters allow you to lower the temperature on your thermostat to help save on overall heating costs. Often, they allow you to adjust the temperature on the fireplace itself and may include low and high heat settings. Many options also include a way to turn the heater off while the flame stays on.

Electric fireplaces give off heat using a heating element, typically located at the top of the unit. Many electric units run off 120 volts, though certain fireplaces can connect to 240 volts to generate more heat. They can often warm an area of around 400 square feet, though some may heat smaller or larger spaces.

Electric fireplaces offer a more efficient heating solution, although they produce less heat than gas or wood-burning alternatives. Electric fireplaces convert around 99% of their electricity into heat. Gas and wood-burning units lose heat through the flue or chimney while electric units distribute most of their heat back into the room.

Even though wood and gas fireplaces generate a lot of heat, electric fireplaces are more efficient. The heat they put out is more directly useful to a home’s occupants.

Many electric fireplaces install built-in, but you can also find freestanding and wall mounted electric fireplace options. Each offer their own benefits, such as:

• Wall mounted fireplaces mount directly on the wall. They require no recess or built-in mounting. Instead, they hang on the wall using brackets. They typically include the required mounting hardware.
• Built-in offer a more expensive option since they recess, or build into, the wall. However, built-in electric fireplace units provide a finished, clean appearance instead of sticking out from the wall, like a wall mount unit.
• Freestandingelectric fireplaces require no need to build into or onto the wall like traditional fireplaces. They stand freely and plug into a nearby outlet.

Additionally, you can find electric fireplaces available in a wide variety of decorative designs. They can vary from a simple firebox to options like this Napoleon Taylor mantel and fireplace. The Taylor mantel features a white color finish and dentil style molding to provide a decorative finish. You can also find their Franklin media console which comes equipped with their Cineview electric firebox. This unit features a mid-century modern design that resembles traditional TV stands and features a weathered oak finish and soft-closing doors.

If your home or business already includes a wood-burning fireplace but you don’t want to deal with the hassle of taking care of it, then a fireplace insert might work for you! Fireplace inserts install into an existing masonry fireplace to convert it to either gas or electric while still providing the comfort of a fireplace.

Inserts install into the existing fireplace opening and use a surround to cover any gaps. Often, they only need to slide into the opening and plug in to start. Electric inserts consist of a metal box and may come as hardwired or plug-in options. Depending on their construction, they may require space near the back of the insert to allow for air circulation but not all of them require this. Once you install the insert, you cannot use the original fireplace.

Electric fireplaces offer an easy to use alternative to traditional wood burning fireplaces and don’t require the same safety precautions. Unlike both wood and gas fireplaces, electric units don’t run the risk of a carbon monoxide leak in your home.

They offer more benefits, too, including:

• No mess - wood-burning fireplaces give off smoke and ash which require a lot of cleaning. They also require you to haul in wood from the outdoors which can track dirt, bugs, and other debris into your home. With an electric fireplace, you can forget all about the mess!
• Little maintenance - these units require very little maintenance in comparison to a wood-burning fireplace. Wood options need ashes and soot swept after every use, routine chimney cleaning, and firewood stored in a dry place. Electric fireplaces only need the glass wiped down occasionally, and sometimes changing out a light bulb in the unit.
• Cost-effective - they typically cost less than new gas or wood-burning installations. Natural gas fireplaces require a gas hookup and wood-burning fireplaces require masonry and major construction. And that doesn’t include the cost of the fireplace itself. An electric unit costs less and requires far less to install. Many options, like wall mount or freestanding, can simply plug into an appropriate outlet. Some options may require a hardwire installation.
• Realistic flame effect - electric units provide the appearance of a real flame without the smoke or carbon monoxide risk. You can even find options that allow you to change the flame colors to match the ambience of your space.
• Use it year-round - most electric fireplace options allow you to turn the heat aspect of the unit off while keeping the flame going. That way, you can still enjoy the comfort of the flames without the warmth.
• Easy placement - since they don’t require a chimney or flue, they can work almost anywhere! They work well in living rooms, bedrooms, apartments, and other areas where installing a chimney or flue is impractical.

Because they do not produce a real flame, electric fireplaces do not emit any emissions. Therefore, they do not require venting through a vent, flue, or chimney. Electric fireplaces do require proper insulation, though, because a lack of insulation can allow air and moisture to enter the fireplace and damage critical components.

Unlike gas and wood-burning units, they do not burn any fuel to produce heat. In typical combustion, the fire consumes fuel, like wood or gas, emitting smoke and other chemicals in the process. These can produce carbon monoxide, which is why venting is so important with wood-burning and gas units. You avoid this with an electric fireplace.

HomElectrical carries Amantii, Napoleon, Remii, and Dimplex electric fireplaces because each has a rich history of quality products. These bestsellers provide a premium experience with realistic glowing embers and LED flame patterns that mimic real fire.

Depending on your requirements, you may prefer one over the other, but they all offer superior performance. Here are some details regarding what makes each brand stand out:

• Dimplex employs flame technology that uses light projections on vapor to achieve a realistic fire simulation. The brand continually appears on lists of “most realistic looking electric fireplaces.”
• Napoleon understands customers enjoy changing colors and has pioneered the technology for the Alluravision model’s multicolor flames.
• Amantii gives Panorama owners the option to remove the trim for a frameless, upscale look.
• Remmii realizes not every homeowner has the room for a deep recessed or freestanding electric fireplace. Their Extra Slim models are only four inches deep.

For a modern electric fireplace experience, these brands represent the top offerings for home improvement and renovation projects.

For homeowners who want a 3-dimensional and more realistic wood-burning simulation, log sets provide a traditional look that mimics burning and cooling embers. Log sets have options that look like driftwood or traditional wood logs and can work freestanding or in a fireplace.

Yes, and in fact, electric fireplaces provide faster, safer, more efficient heating than traditional fireplaces. While they don’t produce as much heat as a wood fire, outputting around 5,000 BTUs per hour vs. 30,000 or more BTUs for wood-burning fireplaces, they can easily warm up a 400-square-foot room.

It’s important to remember that electric fireplaces are not designed to warm up a home, but rather heat an entire small room and create a cozy, warm area in a large room.

While a wood fireplace may be able to produce high amounts of heat, it will do so unevenly and inconsistently, requiring constant tending to ensure the fire stays at the same intensity. Glass doors can increase efficiency, but wood fires will still produce pollutants that can irritate occupants with respiratory problems.

For even more efficient heating than fan-forced fireplaces, which provide enough BTUs to warm a 400-square-foot room, an infrared electric fireplace can heat up a 1,000-square-foot room. Infrared spreads out evenly, providing a more uniform heating action.

Depending on use, an electric fireplace can last anywhere from 10 years to 20 years. However, maintenance is essential to extend the lifespan to its fullest.

Despite the fact that electric fireplaces do not use burning wood or gas, they still require cleaning. Replace defective and faulty parts quickly, but also determine the cause of the part failure. Without proper insulation, drafts can push air and moisture inside the fireplace and damage internal components.

With an electric fireplace, the flames are simulated by using an LED flame and other effects, such as vapor, to reflect the false flames. It may even use a video screen to create the visual effect. The heat in an electric fireplace comes from a heating element. In order to assist with the illusion, electric fireplaces will feature simulated driftwood or logs and an ember bed. Typically, electric fireplaces, particularly upscale models, will operate via a touch screen or Wi-Fi to modify the flame settings.

Gas fireplaces use burning gas, such as propane, to provide heat through real flames. And while some modern gas fireplaces may use touch screens, most function through control knobs and valves. Also, gas fireplaces still require 3-dimensional space for installation and must have fuel lines run through the wall.

Electric fireplaces provide much more accessibility for homeowners who don’t want to install a gas system, which requires invasive installation, particularly if there isn’t a gas feed system in place. Instead, they can rely on existing electrical wiring.

By reducing the footprint and connection requirements, electric fireplaces can be installed in many locations throughout the house, such as in a dining room or in an entertainment center. Owners can also choose freestanding models or even electric fireplace TV stands.

Also, while gas fireplaces are typically sized and shaped like traditional wood fireplaces, linear electric fireplaces are available in unique shapes and sizes to create stunning spaces. For example, some of the largest electric fireplaces can be anywhere from 88 inches wide to 100 inches wide! Electric fireplaces have a wide array of dimensions as well, from standard, nearly square shapes to long rectangles.

On the low end of the cost spectrum, a Dimplex 20-inch log set is less than $35, though most lower-priced log sets and electric fireplaces will typically cost owners between $350 and $450 to purchase. Mid-range fireplaces cost around $1,000, while higher-end models will start near $2,500. For large, 88-inch to 100-inch electric fireplaces, $4,000 or more is not unexpected.

Fireplaces are wonderful for creating a warm, cozy atmosphere. The safest, most efficient way to achieve the charm, comfort, and heat output that homeowners look for is with an electric fireplace from HomElectrical. We carry the top brands and stand behind each product with top-tier customer service.

If you ever have any questions about your fireplace’s manufacturer’s warranty, need installation or replacement information, or want to upgrade to a newer fireplace model, HomElectrical is happy to assist you.

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