If you crave the incandescent heat of a roaring fire, but installing a gas or wood-burning fireplace would not be practical in your home, consider an electric alternative. Unlike gas and wood-burning fireplaces that require fireplaces for ventilation, electric fireplaces can be installed in any room, without the need for ventilation. They don’t create smoke or soot, making them safer than traditional fireplaces, but their flickering flames are remarkably realistic. They can also be quite affordable.
If you are intrigued by the idea of an electric fireplace, read on for the most important purchasing considerations, and don’t miss out on our favourites among the best electric fireplace options on the market.
- Key thought
- Warmth Options
While a number of today’s electric fireplaces are for looks only, meaning they produce light but not heat, most generate heat in an equivalent way an area heater does. Some come with thermostats to help maintain a constant room temperature, while others have basic settings like “Low,” “Medium,” or “High.” All electric fireplaces provide the illusion of flickering flames, but the warmth options are available in three basic types.
Electric fan type: Many of the electrical fireplaces on the market today are fan-type models that heat an area by blowing air over a series of hot coils and exiting one or more vents located along the part bottom or sides of the unit. Fan-type fireplaces offer exceptional heat for rooms up to 450 square feet in size.
Infrared: rather than heating the air, infrared fireplaces heat objects within the room. Like the sun’s rays, infrared heat is a hot light that heats everything it illuminates. Infrared fireplaces can heat rooms up to 1,000 square feet, but you want to be within the direct line of their light rays to feel the warmth.
Convection: Electric convection fireplaces accept air to circulate naturally. Cold air enters through a vent near the bottom, flows upward overheated ceramic plates, and then exits through an upper vent into the room. Some convection fireplaces come with a fan to help direct airflow and can heat rooms up to 600 square feet. Electric convection fireplaces without fans heat a smaller area near the fireside itself and are better fitted to rooms without drafts.
The illusion of fire
Advances in LED light technology, combined with the use of small rolling mirrors, create the illusion of original flames in today’s electric fireplaces. But why stop at realism? Some units allow you to select the colours of the flame, such as gold to match Christmas decorations or green for a spring style; You can even choose purple or pink flames to match your décor or to line a selected mood.
Installation and Design
Easy installation is a great selling point for electric fireplaces. They simply set up into a wall outlet. The caveat, however, is that a heat-producing electric fireplace should only be plugged into a dedicated outlet.
Most models require little or no else within the way of installation:
- Wall-mounted fireplaces resemble flat-screen TVs and may be hung with brackets (usually included). Are white fireplace TV stands with electric fireplaces safe?.
- Recessed units, similar in appearance to wall-mounted panels, are designed to fit into a cavity in the wall so that the surface is flush with the wall. This involves cutting and reframing the wall studs to accommodate the unit.
- Freestanding mantel fireplaces mimic the design of traditional fireplaces, with mantels and hearths made up of a spread of materials, including medium-density fibreboard (MDF), plywood, hardwood, and even slate or ceramic. They can be placed along a wall to make it look like they are built-in places. Mantle fireplaces also come in corner configurations to fit in the corner of a room.
- Freestanding stove-type fireplaces offer the rustic look of a wood stove and can be placed anywhere in the room.
Additional options
While electric fireplaces are pretty straightforward, you’ll seek some fun bells and whistles, such as:
- Remote controls.
- Programmable timers that turn the fireplace off after falling asleep or turn it on before you wake up in the morning.
- Touch screen controls.
- Night light functions that emit the softest glow.
- Bluetooth speakers to play the sound of a roaring fire or your favourite songs.