Electric fireplaces are by their nature, energy-efficient. The flames are created using LED technology, with very low power usage. In addition, the flames may be operated independently from the heater. This means that we can have flames without heat if we so choose. Heaters are responsible for most of the power consumption on electric fireplaces, so using them only when we need them is more efficient than just letting a fireplace blast out heat until your room is too warm. (By the way, this is what happens with gas fireplaces. Flames = heat with a gas burner, so once the room gets warm, you have to turn it off.)
If you want an even more efficient electric fireplace, there are a couple of features to look for on your next purchase.
The most energy-efficient electric fireplaces have a built-in Thermostat
All electric fireplaces have at least a High-Low heat setting, but many have a built-in thermostat that operates much the way your furnace does. You can set the desired room temperature on the remote or touch controls, and the fireplace will work to keep your room at that temperature. When the desired temperature is reached, the fireplace heater will automatically turn off until the temperature dips again.
Tip: We often get calls early in the Fall, from customers who claim their heaters aren’t working. Often, it turns out that the thermostat is set too low. If the thermostat is set below the room temperature, then the heater will not come on. Always check the room temperature vs the thermostat setting. Usually, the heat setting will flash temporarily when you activate the heat button, then the room temperature will flash, so you can compare the difference.
All Napoleon electric fireplaces come with a built-in thermostat on the remote, as well as High-Low heat settings, including the following models:
- Alluravision – NEFL42CHS, NEFL42CHD, NEFL50CHS, NEFL50CHD, NEFL60CHS, NEFL60CHD, NEFL74CHS, NEFL74CHD, NEFL100CHD.
- Clearion – NEFBD50HE
- Trivista — NEFL50H, NEFB60H
- Entice – NEFL36CFH, NEFL42CFH, NEFL50CFH, NEFL60CFH, NEFL72CFH
Almost all Dimplex electric fireplaces now come with a built-in thermostat on the remote, including the following models:
- Dimplex Ignite – XLF50, XLF60, XLF74, XLF100
- Dimplex Revillusion – RBF30, RBF36, RBF36P, RBF42
- Dimplex Prism – BLF3451, BLF5051, BLF7451
- Note: Dimplex BF fireboxes have 2 remotes available – a 3-stage remote (BFRC-Kit) or a wall-mounted remote (WRCPF). They cost about the same, so we always recommend the WRCPF, because it has a built-in thermostat. The BFRC-Kit is a basic on-fan-heat-off remote without a thermostat.
SHOP DIMPLEX FIREPLACES
Amantii has typically had a High-Low heat setting on the remote, plus a Temp button with a single preset room temperature. Newer Amantii models are now featuring thermostat control, including the following:
TRD (Traditional) – TRD-26, TRD-30, TRD-33, TRD-38, TRD-44, TRD-48
Symmetry Bespoke – SYM-50-BESPOKE, SYM-60-BESPOKE
Symmetry – SYM-34, SYM-42, SYM-50, SYM-60, SYM-74, SYM-88, SYM-100
Symmetry XT (Extra Tall) – SYM-34-XT, SYM-42-XT, SYM-50-XT, SYM-60-XT, SYM-74-XT, SYM-88-XT, SYM-100-XT
Note: Symmetry-B (basic) models do not include thermostat control
SHOP AMANTII FIREPLACES
The most energy-efficient electric fireplaces have variable Blowers
Many electric fireplaces offer basic Low-High blower settings, but some go beyond Low-High to offer even more control.
Heat Boost
Dimplex Ignite offers a HeatBoost feature that sets the heater and blower to their highest settings for a timed output ranging from 5 to 20 minutes. This is ideal for getting a cold space up to temperature more quickly. Once the timer expires, the heater and blower will revert to whatever settings you have on the unit. Dimplex Revillusion RBF24 also has a 20-minute HeatBoost feature.
Note: Even without HeatBoost, Dimplex Ignite fireplaces will adjust the blower output and heater wattage using their ComfortSaver feature, to close the gap between the actual and desired room temperature. If the difference is less than 2 degrees, you will barely hear the blower; if the difference is more than 4 degrees, you will hear the blower working harder.
Napoleon Alluravision offers an H3 setting with High heat and Blower Boost. You need to set the timer separately, which would turn off the fireplace after the timer expires.
Eco
Dimplex Ignite offers an Eco setting that reduces the wattage on the heater, for energy savings. We also like this feature for keeping the fan at its quietest setting.
Dimplex Revillusion RBF24 includes the ComfortSaver feature, as well as the Eco feature.
Napoleon Clearion Elite has a Lockout feature for the heater, to prevent others from using the heater. It’s perfect for public spaces or homes with small children who like to press buttons, to prevent the heater from being turned on when it’s not needed.
The most energy-efficient electric fireplaces have a built-in Timer
A heater with thermostat will turn itself off when the room gets to temperature, so it’s less likely to keep running if the room is close to the pre-set temperature. Forgetting to turn off the LED flames won’t result in much power consumption. However, in the interest of energy-efficiency, we don’t want to leave any appliance running if it’s not needed. A timer is for people who expect to fall asleep in front of the fireplace, or who have kids who might forget to turn it off. It ensures that the entire unit is turned off after a pre-determined time. This will turn off the flames and the heater. A timer is also a useful feature if you are using your fireplace for zone heating in a cooler area of the house. You can set the fireplace to run the heater to a certain minimum temperature, with the timer ensuring that the unit shuts down in a prescribed time frame.
All Napoleon electric fireplaces feature a timer. Dimplex Ignite, Revillusion, and Prism series have timers. Amantii Symmetry, Symmetry Bespoke, Symmetry XT, and TRD Traditional units also come with timers.
Stylish Fireplaces knows that adding a fireplace to your home can be challenging. With an electric fireplace and their NFI Certified Hearth Design Specialists, it’s easy to create a space you’ll love to share with family and friends. Check out all the options and connect with their experts for help to find the perfect electric fireplace for you. You’ll live stylishly ever after.