As cooler weather sets in, our thoughts turn to coziness and warmth. There’s a definite up-tick in fireplace demand, and we find more clients researching modern electric fireplaces for indoor heating. There are many great advantages to using electric fireplaces instead of gas or wood-burning fireplaces for indoor heating. We’re sharing our top reasons for going electric, below.
Modern Electric Fireplaces: Easy Installation
Electric fireplaces are the easiest to install of all types of fireplaces. Because there is no combustion, there is no need for venting or gas hookups. All you need is an electrical connection, preferably on a dedicated circuit. Most modern electric fireplaces connect to 120 volts; some also connect to 240 volts, to supply more power to the heater. Electric fireplaces are also zero-clearance, meaning that there is no requirement to build the surrounding wall with non-flammable materials. That not only makes it easier to install an electric fireplace, it makes installation less expensive. Zero-clearance design also makes modern electric fireplaces easier to work with when creating your dream fireplace, because you can choose any materials you like to finish your wall.
Modern Electric Fireplaces: Flames with or without Heat
Electric fireplaces separate the flames from the heat source. Flames are created with LED lights, LCD projection, mist or a combination of these. The flames in a modern electric fireplace are not the source of heat. Heat from an electric fireplace is provided by a separate heating element with a blower that pushes the heat into your space. Because the heat and flames are separate, it’s possible to have the flames on without engaging the heater. This means that you can use an electric fireplace year-round in complete comfort. Compare this to a gas or wood-burning fireplace, where the flames are the source of heat, and you have to shut down the flames if your space gets too warm, making them far less flexible.
Modern Electric Fireplaces: Thermostat Heat Control
Better-quality electric fireplaces have thermostatic heat control; you set your preferred room temperature, and the fireplace keeps your room at that temperature. No space is too small for an electric fireplace, because you have complete control over the amount of heat that will be produced by your electric fireplace. The amount of heat output on an electric fireplace will have absolutely no impact on flame effects. With a gas or wood-burning fireplace, control of the heat output is not as precise, and flame quality will be affected if you reduce the amount of heat.
Modern Electric Fireplaces: Zone Heating
Zone heating means that you heat up the space you are using without heating up the entire building. In your home, this might mean that you want to warm up your home office during the day, while keeping the bedrooms cool. You can accomplish this with electric fireplaces, by placing them in the spaces you use, and turning down your central heating. This saves on your overall energy bills. Because electric fireplaces have flexible and controllable heating, they are ideal for zone heating. On 120 volt electric connection, electric fireplaces will warm up a space of up to 400 square feet. On 240 volts, electric fireplaces will warm up a space of up to 800 square feet. Modern electric fireplaces provide the right amount of heat for most rooms in your home, and will never overheat the space. That’s indoor heating without the hassle.
Modern Electric Fireplaces: Safe for Kids, Pets, and Visitors
A by-product of the features of modern electric fireplaces is that they are perfectly safe for kids and pets. Because the flames are not a source of heat, the front glass on electric fireplaces does not get hot to the touch and will not burn stray fingers. Because there is no combustion to create the flames, there is no risk of carbon monoxide leaking into your home. Electric fireplaces are the safest of all fireplaces for your home, as well as for commercial spaces.
Modern Electric Fireplaces: Zero Carbon Emissions
Electric fireplaces run on electricity, not fossil fuels. Therefore, electric fireplaces have zero carbon emissions. Gas fireplaces are burning a fossil fuel (propane or natural gas), so they do produce carbon emissions. By choosing an electric fireplace over gas, you are reducing your carbon footprint and helping to fight climate change. As building regulations evolve to reduce carbon emissions from buildings, it will become increasingly difficult to add a gas appliance to your home. By embracing electric fireplaces, you will be a step ahead of these changes.
Say goodbye to the hassle of traditional fireplaces. Browse our collection for a simple and modern electric fireplace.
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.