Is a fireplace worth it?
If you have a large house and only need to keep one or two rooms warm, having a fireplace can help reduce energy costs. You can turn down the central heating system for the rest of the house and place a fireplace in the room you want to heat. By turning that room off, you can keep the room nice and warm without having to constantly raise the temperature of the central heating system, which can save you money in the long run. Or, if you don’t have a central heating system, a fireplace can keep you comfortable during the cold winter months.
What are the important features of a fireplace?
You need to consider the look of your fireplace to make sure it blends in with your décor. You also need to check the size of the square footage it heats, whether it’s a forced-fan or infrared quartz unit, and what the British Thermal Units (BTUs) are. BTUs let you know how much heat output the fireplace is producing. Producing about 5,000 BTUs of heat can heat a room of 1,000 square feet.
One thing you may want to consider is whether you want the fireplace to be electric. In addition to the above features, electric fireplaces can be operated by remote control. Or they can have an adjustable screen that allows you to experiment with various looks or colors of fire.
Wood burning in a fireplace
How do electric fireplaces work?
Electric fireplaces dissipate heat by drawing in cold air, heating it using a heating coil, and then using a fan to blow the hot air back into the room. For a fireplace to work properly, you need an outlet that you can plug it into.
Some electric fireplaces are freestanding pieces that sit on the floor and come with a mantel. Others are wall-mountable, sort of like a flat-screen TV.
Are there alternatives or substitutes for fireplaces?
Fireplaces are ideal when you want to make your house or apartment warmer. If you don’t have a gas fireplace or a natural fireplace with a chimney, the best option is an electric fireplace.
If you want a different option, you can use a space heater for immediate warmth, but it may not cover the area occupied by the fireplace.
Fireplace FAQ
So how do you choose the right fireplace for you? These are the questions consumers will ask when buying a fireplace.
What size electric fireplace do I need?
This depends in part on how much floor or wall space you have for the fireplace. In addition, you need to look at the size of the room you want to heat. If your room is over 500 square feet, you may need a larger, more powerful fireplace.
Will an electric fireplace heat the room?
If you get one with the right power for the size of your room, it will. Electric fireplaces are great for heating rooms between 400 and 500 square feet. They can heat larger rooms if you find a room that can be reduced by about 5,000 BTU’s. To find the right fireplace for you, measure the square footage of the room you want to heat, then look at the BTUs of each model you’re considering to make sure it’s enough to heat the room you choose.
Fireplaces During the Holidays
How long will an electric fireplace last?
Electric fireplaces can last twenty years or more if you only use them regularly. The warranty that comes with your fireplace is the shortest you can expect, but most warranties last much longer than that.
How safe are electric fireplaces?
Electric fireplaces are very safe, much safer than wood-burning or gas fireplaces. They are also much easier to maintain, as gas and wood burning fireplaces may require annual maintenance checks to ensure they can operate safely.
