Electric Fireplace: Should You Get One?

There is nothing like a cozy, inviting, and romantic home fireplace. The warmth, the flickering flames, the crackle of the fire in the wood, the glow. It all adds up to create an ambiance that’s unbeatable. It urges you to sit nearby, preferably with a very large fuzzy blanket and a cup of cocoa. There’s something extremely captivating about staring into a fireplace that most of us can’t avoid.

However, a lot of homes don’t have a fireplace or the capacity for one.  There’s just no way to put a chimney into an apartment complex, a boat, your RV, or even your office. Fortunately, we now have electric fireplaces. They can be located anywhere, a house, a condo, an apartment, etc. and chimneys, venting or gas lines are not required. If you’ve ever considered one, now is the time to look into it before the winter months come upon us. Here are some things to keep in mind as you go shopping and start looking.

The Pros of Electric Fireplaces

The most important benefit of having an electric fireplace is that you can install it anywhere, it doesn’t matter if there is access or not. It’s also very easy to take your fireplace with you to your next home if you move, making it an investment that can go with you wherever you go.

When you have a real fireplace you have to keep stocking it with wood and it can get messy and dusty. You never have to check to refill a gas tank. With an electric fireplace, there is next to zero effort required. Turning on or adjusting it is literally as easy as pushing a button, often a button on a remote, meaning you can up the temperature from the comfort of your couch.

Also, with an electric fireplace, you can’t lose heat because it won’t escape out of a chimney. Electric fireplaces are actually very energy efficient.

Electrical Fireplace Safety

Another benefit is safety. Especially when you have kids and pets. There is no danger of burning and almost all electric fireplaces offer “safe-to-touch” glass so even small hands on the glass are safe.  You don’t have to worry about the fire getting out of control and creating a fire that’s too big to manage. Chimney fires are also not an issue.

For people who want to avoid the actual maintenance of a real fireplace, an electric fireplace is the best addition you can have in any room. Since electric fireplaces don’t burn wood or use gas, installation is simple and their size can range from that of a hanging LED TV to a full unit that looks like a full fireplace installation, mantle, and all. 

For many homeowners, and perhaps especially for condo owners and apartment dwellers, electric fireplaces are worth owning, but there are some negatives.

The Cons of Electric Fireplaces

Those looking for a fireplace to heat their homes in the dark of winter will be disappointed. An electric fireplace won’t give you enough warmth to heat up a large room. An electric fireplace won’t do the job if you’re looking to keep a large space warm. 

Another con is, that if you experience a power outage you won’t be able to heat your home with an electric fireplace.

Some people might think that its aesthetics of it aren’t pleasing enough. The faux flames will be acceptable for some, but possibly not to purists. The good news is that advances in recent years have made the flames look more convincing, but still, some e-fireplaces are better than others. Definitely, do your research.

Is an Electric Fireplace Right for You?

First, shop around online, and then go to see one for yourself at a showroom if you can. Think about what size you want, where you want it, and what you want from it.

Electric Fireplace Installation Near You

If you want to know if your electrical system can handle your preferred model of electric fireplace, or need to repair an electrical outlet so you can plug in your new electric fireplace with confidence, call East-West Electric at  (727) 771-9403 today.

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