Buying guide for electric fireplaces
An electric fireplace is an excellent alternative to a regular wood stove or another type of fireplace. With an electric fireplace, you receive minimal maintenance and avoid cutting wood, cleaning the fireplace, and paying for installation costs.
These electric fireplaces are cheap, clean, safe, and easy to install - completely without having to acquire expensive craftsmen. An electric fireplace is often characterized as the fireplace of the future.
What is an electric fireplace?
An electric fireplace is a heater, inspired by an ordinary fireplace. An electric fireplace is simply connected to an electrical outlet in the wall, and can then form a nice flame play with or without heat. The heater which is integrated into the fireplace emits approx. 1.5 kW per hour, which corresponds to the heating of a room of 35 m2.
You can read more about what an electric fireplace is here.
How much does an electric fireplace heat?
We are often asked the question: "how many square meters can this fireplace heat?" and unfortunately we can not give an exact answer, as the heating is vastly different from fireplace to fireplace and from home to home. There is a huge difference between whether you live in a house from the 1930s or whether it is a new building with the new 2020 requirements.
Typically, an electric fireplace will not be recommended as a primary heat source, but instead as a supplementary and secondary heat source. It is often used as a supplement for underfloor heating, where the electric fireplace will be able to contribute with instant zone heat and radiant heat, which means that the temperature increases in the room where the electric fireplace is located. The heat comes directly from the heater in the fireplace and is distributed in the room. A wood-burning stove, on the other hand, is characterized by convection heat, where the heat is spread throughout the home.
In terms of heat, an electric fireplace can be compared to a traditional electric radiator, as it also emits radiant heat.
How real is the flame?
The flame in an electric fireplace is not real, but with the latest technology, the flames have become more realistic looking. Furthermore, the flame in an electric fireplaces is created by LED light and a mirror element which reflects the light in the fireplace. This technology makes the flames look incredibly real. However, we must again emphasize that the flame is not real and thus not hot either - as the real fire would be.
Many electric fireplaces have several flame effects, where it is of course a matter of preference which effect is most natural and nicest. Each product includes a description of the flame colors in the beautiful electric flame play. These electric fireplaces are called multi-color fireplaces and the color of the flame can be changed to a different shade with a single click on the remote control.
You can read more about how realistic an electric fireplace is here.
Electric fireplace with Evonic Fires award-winning Evoflame.
Merseyside electric fireplace - available in black and white.
Does an electric fireplace require ventilation?
An electric fireplace does not require ventilation, as it does not emit any toxic substances/gases. Thus, it requires neither chimney nor ventilation in the room.
This is because, as mentioned earlier, electric fireplaces do not create real fire and thus no smoke, soot, or ash. The electric fireplace is good for the environment and your wallet. The installation costs have been significantly reduced, as no chimney or other has to be installed.
If you like the indoor climate and air quality in your home a lot, an electric fireplace will be the perfect solution for you, as it has minimal impact on the indoor climate.
The low cost of installation and the environmental factors are generally something that pulls up at an electric fireplace. However, there are even more benefits to an electric fireplace, which you can read more about just below.
Security around an electric fireplace
Electric fireplaces do not create real flames, and thus they remain cold - even when the fireplace is in use. The only place the fireplace can get a little bit warm is around the heater. These types of fireplaces are, therefore, completely safe to use, and can generally be described as the safest in the fireplace industry.
Electric fireplaces are consequently perfect for families with small children and pets. If a child or animal gets its fingers/paws too close to the flame, no damage will occur, as the flame is made of LED light.
Benefits of an electric fireplace
Low cost: A big advantage is clearly that neither the price of the fireplace nor the installation exceeds any of the industry alternatives. Both the electric fireplace and the installation costs are low.
Easy installation: The installation of an LED fireplace is very simple and can, in most cases, be installed by the buyer himself.
Safe for families with children and pets: Electric fireplaces do not get hot and are, therefore, completely safe for small children and pets. The electric fireplace is a good fireplace solution if you do not want to have to worry about your pets and children getting hurt.
No cleaning: The LED fireplace does not create dirt as you know it from a wood stove. There will also be no traces of smoke and soot, and in general, this fireplace can be categorized as being the cleanest fireplace in the industry.
No air pollution: The electric fireplace does not have any environmentally harmful emissions and, therefore, the air in the room remains completely clean and you can sleep safely at night. Consequently, an electric fireplace is extremely attractive to people with asthma, breathing problems, and generally people who are going up in their health.
Zone heating: Electric fireplaces are great as a supplemental heat source. They are very close to being 100% effective in terms of efficiency. This means that there is virtually no waste of energy as everything is converted into heat. The electric fireplace can be placed in all types of rooms and will provide heat in the selected room.
What can an electric fireplace do?
Electric fireplaces are still relatively new to the market. Therefore, there are a lot of questions concerning their features.
Remote control: All our electric fireplaces are equipped with a remote control so that the flame effect and heat can be adjusted. This means that you can operate your electric fireplace from the sofa without having to get up.
Display panel: On the fireplace itself there is a display where all the functions of the fireplace can be operated. If the remote control runs out of batteries, you can still use the fireplace over the display.
Sleep timer: Many electric fireplaces are equipped with a sleep timer function, so you can time the flames to automatically go out at a given time. This is especially smart if you want to create life in the home when you are not at home, so from the outside it looks as if someone was at home. Alternatively, the sleep-timer function is ingenious if you tend to fall asleep during a movie.
Multicolored flame effect: Many of our electric fireplaces are equipped with the so-called multi-color effect, where it is possible to switch between different flame types and colors.
Sound module: Some fireplaces have a built-in sound module where authentic crackling sounds are created which adds authenticity to the fireplace.
Flexible: Electric fireplaces can often be moved around the home, as they only require a very minimal installation - except for the built-in models. Other models are easy to move around, as needed.
Electrical requirements for an electric fireplace
All our electric fireplaces can be connected to a fairly ordinary socket, here it is recommended that you use a switch that is equipped with a circuit breaker or similar fuse.
Besides, check that the fireplace is not connected to an overloaded electrical group. It can therefore be a good idea not to connect the fireplace to the kitchen group, as there are often many appliances connected in advance.
If it is a built-in electric fireplace, a cable connection as well as a circuit breaker must be added and an additional cord is required. Here you can inquire with your local electrician if you are in doubt.
It is always a good idea to follow the instructions in the accompanying manual.
Can you install an electric fireplace under a TV?
Many people love having a fireplace under the television. This is also possible with an electric fireplace.
In general, all our electric fireplaces can be installed under a television. However, it is recommended that there is a minimum distance of 30 cmbetween the top of the fireplace and the bottom of the TV. Also, we recommend that in these installations a fireplace where the heat is dissipated at the bottom or on the front is used, to protect the television as much as possible.