What Electric Fireplaces Are & How They Work
Not sure what an electric fireplace is—let alone if it’s right for your family?
With all the fireplace varieties available on the market today, many people are confused about how each one operates and which one would best fit their needs.
If that describes you, this article should help clarify things a bit. Put simply, an electric fireplace is a type of heat source that looks similar to a traditional wood-burning or gas fireplace, but requires no venting or professional installation of any kind.
With that kind of flexibility, an electric fireplace may be just the tool you need to stay warm on a cold winter night; enjoy an evening with a loved one by a beautiful fire; or replace your polluting, wood-burning variety with a greener version.
Anatomy of an Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces work by drawing in cool air, heating it internally using a heating coil, and gently forcing the warmed air back out into the room by way of a fan. This provides supplemental heating for the desired area without the muss or fuss of smoke or chemicals.
Like a fire with a soft, soothing glow? Most electric fireplace models allow you to control the look of the flame, making this type of fireplace more appealing to many. Want the look of a bigger, hotter fire? Use your electric fireplace remote control to make the adjustment.
Heating Your Home Electrically
Electric fireplaces provide supplemental heating for rooms approximately 400 square feet in size. Keep this in mind when looking at different models because each one is different.
All electric fireplaces list a particular amount of space they can adequately heat, depending on type and manufacturer. For example, mantel packages can generally heat a larger area than free-standing electric stoves. Because of this, most homeowners use them for larger rooms, while limiting free-standing electric stoves to smaller spaces.
Alternatively, electric fireplace owners may choose to run their fireplace without the heating element for simple ambiance and comfort any season of the year. For those who enjoy the experience of a fire without all the maintenance and mess, this type of system is just the ticket they need.
Enjoying Realistic Flame
Because of the realistic flame presentation they provide, electric fireplaces are gaining in popularity quickly these days.
Though everyone enjoys the visual and auditory appeal of a real, crackling fire, many electric fireplace manufacturers now use advanced matching technology to help reproduce a fire’s glow accurately. And because real embers aren’t involved, electrically simulated fires are much safer than traditional ones, especially around vulnerable children and animals. In fact, their flames remain cool to protect anyone from harm who touches the unit or ventures a little too close for a better view.
A Viable Alternative to Wood Burning & Gas
Regardless of your personal taste, an electric fireplace is one type of technology that gives you options traditional wood-burning and gas fireplaces don’t. That makes them a flexible, viable alternative that can be enjoyed for years to come.
