A cozy fireplace is the central element in many homes, but due to the inconvenience of keeping the fire burning; Unfortunately, many fireplaces serve simply as decoration, a place for family photos on the mantelpiece. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are inefficient sources of supplemental heat and can pose a fire hazard if extreme precautions and constant supervision are not followed. Gas also poses the danger of spreading odorless but deadly carbon monoxide throughout the home.
You can have all the benefits of a fireplace while keeping your home safe and warm. An electric fireplace can easily be adapted to the space where a gas or wood fireplace was unused. Electric fireplaces provide supplemental zone heating and can help keep energy costs low while providing a fireplace environment that can be enjoyed year-round.
Out with the old
By replacing an outdated fireplace with an electric one, the home becomes more energy efficient. Since there is no fireplace or ventilation in electric units, the heat produced by an electric fireplace remains in the room, providing a good supplemental heat source. Compare that to traditional fireplaces where up to 90 percent of the heat can escape through the flue, and it is clear that your old fireplace is doing more harm than good.
By adding electric heaters throughout your home, zone heating can be an effective way to save on heating bills. For example, during the day, electric heaters can heat the living room, dining room, and family room; all while the central system thermostat has a lower temperature. Unoccupied rooms, such as a hallway or bedrooms, will not consume as much heating energy this way. During the night, the heating can be directed to the bedrooms while the family sleeps.
In homes that already have a beautiful fireplace and built-in mantel, there is no need for expensive demolition. Wood and gas fireplaces can easily be converted to an electric model. An electric log set easily inserts into the fireplace by replacing the existing wood grate, gas grill, burner or log set. The only installation required to convert a fireplace to an electric alternative is that the fireplace gate must be sealed. Electric fireplace inserts can be plugged into a nearby outlet, but for a permanent installation, it is more aesthetic to have electric fireplace inserts connected directly to the home’s electrical system, or to have an outlet connected to the inside of the fireplace where the cord will not. be seen .
Inside with the new
Homes that don’t have an existing fireplace can still have the great look of a fireplace with a freestanding electric mantel package. There are several models to choose from, from very formal traditional wood shelf packages to more modern units. Other options include freestanding stoves, small lobby shelves, entertainment centers that fit a TV, and a fireplace or wall-mounted electric fireplaces. Installation is as simple as plugging the unit into a household outlet.
It’s all in the flame
Converting wood and gas fireplaces doesn’t mean sacrificing the ambiance for a dancing flame. Today’s electric fireplaces feature the latest flame effect technology that provides a very realistic fire experience.
The realism of an electrical kit begins with hand-carved logs and glowing embers that vibrate with the appearance of an oxygen-fueled fire. The realistic flames, heat, and screen-powered glass doors make it virtually impossible to tell that what you’re looking at is not a real fire. And the big difference between electric fireplaces and gas or wood burning ones is that the heat can be turned off while enjoying the realistic flame, so the fireplace can be enjoyed all year round.
