Fireplaces are great for almost any room. They offer heat, and they create a generally warm atmosphere, even when you don’t feel the warmth from the fire. Most people, when thinking of fireplaces, think of that picture-perfect view of sitting by a fireplace with snow falling outside the window. A good book in one hand and a hot cup of cocoa in the other…this is what makes the perfect fireplace scene. However, fireplaces are great in any home, even when you don’t get much snow each year.
Fireplaces also have some negative aspects, though. Whether it is a wood burning traditional fireplace or a gas operated fireplace, they can be a pain in their own ways. Wood burning fireplaces require that you always have wood handy in order to experience the warmth of the fire. When you decide to light a fire, you then have to build it and get it rolling, only to have to stoke it and rearrange the wood periodically to keep the fire going. When you are done with the fire for the evening, you have to wait for the fire to burn out completely before leaving the room. They also make a mess, the chimney has to be cleaned, and you have to clean up the ash and soot. Gas burning fireplaces also take work. While you don’t have to chop wood, you do still have to maintain the fireplace. And, on top of that, the use of your gas fireplace will increase your gas bill.
Electric fireplaces are a great alternative to traditional fireplaces. They provide flames that look authentic and heat that can provide you with warmth in the same way a traditional fireplace does, but without the mess or all the hard work necessary for traditional style fireplaces. The mantels and facades look authentic as well, making them great for any room in the house. Since you can find them in a variety of styles and sizes, you are sure to find one that gives the look you desire to achieve through your fireplace.
This type of fireplace is also much easier to install than a traditional fireplace. You don’t have to tear up or add on to any walls, you don’t have to run a chimney or flute, you simply plug it up and it is ready to go. With their variety of sizes, you can choose one for any room, and you don’t even have to mull over this permanent decision, because with an electric fireplace, the decision isn’t permanent. Instead, this electric fireplace can be moved from room to room wherever you want it at that particular moment. And, you can even take it with you when you move.
They quickly heat up and cool down so no need to build a fire every time you want to enjoy the warmth from flames. And, you don’t have to wait for a fire to go out before leaving a room, making them safer than traditional fireplaces.
If you are worried about the amount of electricity an electric fireplace would use, possibly increasing your utility bills, there is no need to worry any longer. For the electric use, they only cost about as much as running a space heater, while looking nicer and providing you with more warmth. They also only use about 1/3 of the energy it takes to run a gas-powered fireplace, so you are getting more warmth for your buck. They are also much more efficient than traditional wood burning fireplaces, because they don’t release any energy through the chimney, meaning all that energy is used to heat the room and the people in it. Plus, they are great for the environment. They don’t use as many natural resources as gas-powered fireplaces, and they don’t release any emissions into the air the way chimney fireplaces do. So you get to save money and save the planet all while heating your home!
With all these considerations, it is no wonder that electric fireplaces are growing in popularity. With their ability to provide heat as well as the look of a genuine fireplace, but with less cost, work, and damage to the environment, they make a great option for heat in the wintertime. Also, it is important to note that the heat can be turned off and the flames can be enjoyed alone, using less energy and allowing you to enjoy an open flame even on warm days.