If you are looking for the warmth and atmosphere that a fire brings into your home, but you don’t want the hassle of throwing some wood on the fire, cleaning ashtrays, and cleaning your fireplace once a year, then an electric fireplace could be just fine for you. Here are 10 reasons why certain people like electric fireplaces over gas or wood-burning stoves.
1. Don’t worry about carbon monoxide.
Whenever gas is used in a home, it is always best to have a carbon monoxide detector to avoid poisoning if, on rare occasions, your gas appliance breaks down. Carbon monoxide is odorless and can cause serious health problems or death. Electric fireplaces have zero emissions, giving you one less thing to worry about.
2. Energy efficiency.
Gas fires and wood burners release some heat through the fireplace. The ventilation of your gas fire is also a source of cold air that enters your room. It is always best to have ventilation near the fire, but in British homes where the fireplace is often in the center of the house, this is not possible. So we often end up with a draft around the neck or ankles.
With an electric fireplace, you do not need ventilation, and if you have a fireplace you can have it blocked so that the heat does not escape through it. This can make heating a room more efficient as you are not fighting additional sources of cold that you cannot shut off or block.
3. Low maintenance.
An electric fire can look and feel like a real fire but without the mess and hassle of cleaning it up. There is no build-up of soot or tar in the chimney that requires an annual sweep. There is no ashtray to empty, you don’t have to order, store or put wood on the fire.
With an electric fireplace, you can sit down, put your feet up, and use a remote control to turn it on or off.
4. Cost.
A gas fire must be installed by a qualified person, or it must be signed by someone who can connect the gas to an appliance, which will add to the cost of your gas fire installation. It also has maintenance fees for chimney sweep and appliance maintenance every year to ensure it is safe.
Electric fires can be purchased from DIY stores for as little as £ 100, all you have to do is plug them into the mains when you get home, and there are no ongoing service fees.
5. An electric fireplace may be enjoyed by everybody.
Because electric fireplaces do not require a chimney or flue, they may be installed in any living area. They are useful if you are renting a property that does not yet have a fire and you want to enjoy the atmosphere that fire brings to a room.
6. Shelf life
Electric fireplaces have the longest lifespan of their wood and gas counterparts. Electric fireplaces are not prone to rust or corrosion since they do not use a combustible energy source. While wood and gas fireplaces start to show signs of use from day one, electric fireplaces can look like new for a couple of years.
7. Installation
Electric fireplaces can be easy to install if you opt for a standard type that plugs into the mains. However, if you want a masterpiece that creates the wow factor, you will have to go down the road of having a professional installer do the work for you. With wood burners and gas, you have no choice but to have a professional install the unit or have a registered gas installer connect the gas mains.
8. Options are plentiful with electric fireplaces.
Choosing an electric fire does not imply that you must settle for a dull-looking appliance. Now they come in a myriad of styles and options. You can get styles in traditional, contemporary, and modern to match any style or décor your home may have. They can still have beautiful shelves and multimedia consoles, allowing for additional storage stylishly. And of course, there are the electric fireplace inserts that can be installed in an existing fireplace. You can also choose between wall units, corner units, and compact units.
9. Security
Some fireplaces now come with a sleep timer feature. If you like to fall asleep in front of a roaring fire, set the timer to turn off the fire after 15 minutes. The sleep timer function reduces the risk of fires from overheating. Electric fireplaces stay cool to the touch, reducing the risk of injuries and burns, making them safer for children and pets.
10. Electric fireplaces can be used year-round in all climates.
Electric fireplaces allow you to enjoy the look of a real flame without emitting heat. On a late summer night, you can have a beautiful glow coming from your fireplace without adding extra heat to your room.
