Best Reasons to Choose an Electric Fireplace
Wood-burning fireplaces provide an ambiance that’s unmatched by other home heating systems. However, wood-burning fireplaces are notoriously messy, often challenging to use, and can be deadly if you’re not careful. That’s why many homeowners upgrade to alternatives like electric fireplaces. In this post, we look at the top reasons to choose an electric fireplace over gas or wood.
They’re Safer
According to the National Fire Protection Association, home heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Home heating equipment fires have caused approximately 480 deaths, 1,370 injuries, and an estimated 44,210 home structure fires from 2016 to 2020. They also state that the most destructive fires are caused by fireplaces (gas and wood) and chimneys.
Because electric fireplaces don’t emit flames nor produce carbon monoxide, they’re much safer than gas or wood fireplaces. Additionally, unlike gas and wood heating systems, electric fireplaces don’t require a venting system, which eliminates the potential for a blockage to cause carbon monoxide poisoning or a chimney fire.
They’re More Convenient
As stated, wood-burning fireplaces are messy and can be difficult to use. If you have a wood fireplace, you must keep the firebox and chimney clean, which means getting dirty and doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Moreover, if you don’t have an adequate draft, lighting a fire and keeping it lit can be frustrating.
While some people enjoy the challenge, most want heat without working for it, and that’s what an electric fireplace provides. If you’re cold, push a button on a remote from your couch, and the system starts up. Easy!
And when you’re finished using it, no messy cleanup or chimney is sweeping to worry about.
They Cost Less
There’s something in us that enjoys a crackling fire. It likely goes back centuries when we’d huddle around a campfire or fireplace, telling stories, bonding with others, and keeping cozy. However, most homeowners today aren’t keen on installing a wood-burning fireplace because of the safety and convenience factors we mentioned. Instead, they opt for gas or electric.
Gas fireplaces are typically more expensive to install, especially if you don’t have a natural gas line in the home, and it may not be an option where you live. By comparison, you can run an electric fireplace on a standard outlet you already have. If you need a more powerful unit, you can easily add a dedicated circuit, which is cheaper than running a gas line.
Gas and electric fireplaces typically have low operating costs, but it depends on the market and where you live. In general, however, electric fireplaces are cheaper to operate month-to-month.
Finally, if you want a gas fireplace, you probably require a venting system, which limits where in your house you can install it. Because electric fireplaces don’t produce carbon monoxide, you don’t have to add a venting system, which saves on the installation cost.
They’re More Energy Efficient
Wood and gas fireplaces lose some heat through the chimney or venting system. Since electric fireplaces don’t need a venting system, they produce more heat with less energy, which saves you money. Additionally, if you have a furnace or other heating system, you can use your electric fireplace to lighten the load to save on energy costs. For example, instead of running your furnace or central heating system, you can use your electric fireplace to heat the particular room you’re in.
They’re More Realistic Than You Think
One of the reasons electric fireplaces turn many people off is they think they’re nothing more than bland boxy space heaters, but that’s not the case. Thanks to technology, today’s electric fireplaces look incredibly lifelike and are indistinguishable from an actual fireplace from a distance.
If you’re interested in an electric fireplace installation, visit our showroom at Burlington Fireplace & Heating, 857 Milwaukee Avenue (Hwy 36), Burlington, WI, 53105. Or contact us at 262- 763-3522 to schedule an in-home visit.