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Electric fireplaces are constantly improving in efficiency and realism to meet the demands of the market. When it is cold outside, cranking up the furnace to heat the whole house is probably not a good idea. Heating bills are getting more expensive every year. A few degrees extra a month or a furnace running a little longer can mean the difference in your bill by hundreds of dollars even with natural gas. When you want a little bonus heat to relax when you are not running around in your home, an electric fireplace is the perfect easy-to-install space heater you need. The realism of some models also is entertaining and difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Why is an Electric Fireplace Better Than a Real Fireplace?

A real fireplace can be expensive to install and may create smoke damage, fire hazards, and burn risks. These simply aren’t factors with electric versions. They are cool to the touch and require none of the chimneys, gas lines, dry wood, or blockages that compound the upkeep of a traditional fireplace. The installation is so easy, that in many cases you can simply replace your current TV stand with a pedestal that has an electric fireplace built in.

Models like the Dimplex Opti-V Built-In Electric Firebox are so efficient and realistic that the ambiance and cost of ownership make it an attractive replacement. It uses 3D technology and LED glow logs set to the tune of crackling with dancing flames and sparks. There is a subset of outdoor electric fireplaces that will withstand the harsh weather. These may be ideal for a small gazebo or enclosed patio area. Many models feature ambient backlighting and will put out as much heat as a real wood stove fireplace with as little as 1500W. Many wall mounted models have an on-screen digital control for nuanced adjustment of the ember bed, flames, and heat.

How Do I Choose the Best Model for My Home or Office?

This all boils down to where you want to mount the fireplace. There are essentially five different options: wall mounted, built in, recessed, TV stand, or inserts. You can build the electric fireplace right into the wall if it is a newly constructed home or you are doing some renovations to get the recessed look. Inserts convert your standard fireplace into an electric by providing the internals to retrofit. Wall mounted fireplaces can be plugged into regular outlets and can be used solely for decoration or with heat. No maintenance or venting is needed for a wall mount.

Determine the options you want. Does your model come with a fully adjustable thermostat and remote control to dial in the ideal temperature or merely two manual adjustments? There will be some additional installation expenses incurred if you choose a model that required wiring directly into your household electricity. It is important to remember that these electric fireplaces typically cover a range of 400-500 sq. ft. and are not a replacement for main heating systems.

Choosing a ventilation orientation that fits your needs is also a critical factor. You need to determine if the model you want vents up, down, frontwards, or backward. Although the electric fireplace is not going to introduce embers or open flames into your home, some dry carpet fibers and draping curtains need to remain a sufficient distance from the ventilation of hot air. You would maintain the same level of care for any electric space heater.

The only other aspect to consider is where you will be fitting the fireplace and what sort of decorative effect are you trying to achieve. For most hotels and restaurants, a simple yet elegant wall mounted fireplace is enough to warm the atmosphere and provide some additional space heating in drafty areas. The realism of what is obviously not real upon closer examination can fascinate guests when they see a twenty-foot long electric fireplace hanging above them. At these distances, the fireplace will look immaculate. It may be difficult to distinguish from the real thing without reasonably considering the audacity of its size.

Whatever draws your interests into electric fireplaces, it is important to consider quality in the equation. An electric fireplace is usually listed as a selling point for a home and can add to its equitable value. No matter what model you purchase these days, it is likely to look more realistic than those of yesteryear. Keeping these features in mind, you should have little trouble finding your match without having to light one.