Buying guide for best electric fireplaces
There's nothing quite as cozy as curling up by the fire on a blustery day. Just because your home doesn’t have a built-in wood-burning fireplace doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the warmth, romantic crackle, and mesmerizing dance of flames.
Today’s electric fireplaces not only look realistic and provide heat, they are free of traditional fireplaces’ danger and mess. With an electric fireplace, there is no smoke, ash, or firewood, and there is no worry about falling asleep while the fire’s still crackling.
How do electric fireplaces create heat?
Electric fireplaces have two basic heating systems: forced fan and infrared quartz.
Forced fan
These units have a fan that blows over heated coils, sending warm air out into the room. Forced-fan fireplaces produce around 4,600 BTUs of heat and are best for spaces up to 400 square feet.
Infrared quartz
These units are more high-tech. Instead of hot coils, they use infrared light, not to heat the air but to transmit warmth directly to the objects near the fireplace. Infrared-quartz units pump out up to 9,600 BTUs of heat and are a good choice for larger rooms, generally up to 1,000 square feet. Another benefit of infrared-quartz fireplaces is that they don’t reduce the room’s humidity level.
What about the flames?
While even a few years back, the flames of electric fireplaces were rather unconvincing, today you’ll find units so realistic you might worry about burning your hand in the flames. (Don’t worry, you can’t.)
There are a variety of methods used to simulate the “flames.” Most often a colored LED bulb shines onto a mirrored, spinning “rotisserie” that bounces the light into random patterns that resemble the flickering of real flames.
Most electric fireplaces allow you to adjust the flame effect from a soft glow to a roaring fire.
Did you know?
Typically, you can run your electric fireplace with or without heat. No need to forego the beauty of dancing flames just because it’s hot outside; simply turn off the heat and enjoy the cool “fire.”
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Styles of electric fireplaces
There’s an electric fireplace that’s right for your home no matter what your décor or existing layout. Let’s take a look at the many different styles that are available.
Plug-in inserts
Plug-in inserts fill an existing fireplace that already has a mantel.
Media center fireplaces
These electric fireplaces are plug-in units fitted into a television/entertainment center.
Electric log sets
Perfect for an existing, unused gas or electric fireplace, these units resemble real logs piled on a grate. They slip right into the existing fireplace and plug into the nearest wall outlet.
Traditional mantel fireplaces
As the name suggests, these units come with their own mantel and look like traditional fireplaces.
Corner electric fireplaces
These compact fireplaces are a great choice for small rooms.
Freestanding electric stove fireplaces
Electric stove fireplaces resemble old-fashioned wood-burning stoves.
Wall-mounted electric fireplaces
Mounted on a wall, these sleek fireplaces add contemporary style to a room.
Electric fireplace features
Flame-only/heat-only
If you want to run the fireplace without heating the room, or if you want supplemental heat without the flame effect, this is a necessary feature.
Flame speed
This allows you to adjust the intensity of the “flames,” from a small flicker to a roaring fire.
Thermostat
A thermostat adjusts the amount of heat your electric fireplace emits.
For your safety
As with any fireplace, keep flammable objects a safe distance away.
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Timer
With a timer, you can set your fireplace to run as long as you’d like. It will automatically shut off when the time is up.
Brightness
Brightness control lets you dim the flames to a soft glow or brighten them to an intense light.
Remote control
Just about every electric fireplace includes a remote control. However, some merely have an on/off switch, while others also let you control the flame intensity, heat level, and brightness.
"Just like real fireplaces, electric fireplaces come in a variety of widths and heights, so choose the size that best balances your room: a larger unit in a large room, a smaller unit in a small space."
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Overheat auto-off
This safety feature switches the fireplace off if it begins to overheat.
Cool touch
Although electric fireplaces don’t have real flames, they can heat up the glass or fireplace housing. With a cool-touch unit, the glass won’t get hot, which is an important safety feature if you have pets or children.
Air filtration
Some electric fireplaces include an air purifier to filter out dust, allergens, pet dander, and mold.
Before you buy: electric fireplace tips
Measure the space where you want your fireplace to go, including clearance of nearby windows, doorways, or walkways. You don’t want to find out too late that your fireplace is too large — or too small — for the location.
If your space is limited, a wall-mounted or corner unit gives the benefit of a fireplace without requiring much room.
Make sure your home’s electrical wiring can handle the fireplace. Most electric fireplaces simply plug into a regular outlet. However, some require installation that is more extensive.
What is your decorating style? There are electric fireplaces in every design, ranging from primitive to modern.
Most electric fireplaces have 700 to 1,500 watts. For a small room, 700 watts is sufficient. But you’ll want a 1,500-watt unit if your room is large.
If you are a renter or want a unit that can be moved from room to room, choose a small, portable fireplace. Mantels are usually heavy and difficult to move, so these units are best for a permanent location.
How much do electric fireplaces cost?
You can find electric fireplaces for as little as $150.
On the other end of the spectrum, some high-end models cost close to $1,000.
In general, for a fireplace with good features, a realistic flame, and an attractive appearance, the sweet spot is $200 to $500.
FAQ
Q. Are any permits required to install an electric fireplace?
A. Nope, just plug in and enjoy. Wired-in, permanently placed units might require the services of an electrician for installation, however.
Q. Do electric fireplaces require a vent or a chimney?
A. No, that’s one of the beauties of these devices. No vent is necessary, and there is no smoke or fumes to pollute the air.
Q. Do electric fireplaces require a lot of maintenance?
A. Other than the occasional dusting of the mantel and outside surfaces, an electric fireplace is nearly maintenance-free.
