Electric fireplaces have become increasingly popular in the last few years. They offer versatility, gorgeous lighting effects, and are easy to install. There are many options to choose from when it comes to electric fireplaces and for some, they may seem like a perfect alternative to traditional fireplaces.
However, people require reliable and safe heat – so, how do electric fireplaces stack up? How complicated are they to use and how much do they cost?
While they may seem like a great option for your home, you want to know everything you can about electric fireplaces before purchasing one. Whether you are considering an electric fireplace due to eco-conscious reasons or you’re unable to install a traditional fireplace, it’s good to know all of the facts before making a decision.
How Much Do Electric Fireplaces Cost to Run?
With the inclusion of an electric fireplace, you can expect an added charge to your utility bill. Plus, if you’re relying on an electric fireplace to be your sole source of heat, you’re going to expect an expensive monthly bill. However, when you have the heat element of the electric unit turned off, your monthly charges should be minimal.
What Are the Advantages of Having an Electric Fireplace?
Besides the look of an electric fireplace, these fireplaces are popular among buyers for their versatility. Electric fireplaces can easily be installed in any space in your home, since there’s no vent pipe or chimney pipe, as there are in traditional gas or wood fireplaces. You can hang one on a wall or you can have it recessed into a wall. An electric fireplace brings a certain elegance and ambiance to any room in the home.
The technology of electric fireplaces has also improved, which means that you won’t have to deal with tacky-looking fake flames. Instead, you have the option of showcasing different log styles, pebbles, rocks, and more. This means that an electric fireplace will only add to the decor of the room that you’ve installed it in.
In addition, installing an electric fireplace is an eco-conscious decision – by having an electric fireplace in your home, you’re reducing the emissions of traditional fireplaces.
What Are the Disadvantages of Having an Electric Fireplace?
Electric fireplace heaters are not designed to be the sole heating source in your home – depending on the size, they put out about as much heat as a standard-voltage electric heater. Not only can these fireplaces be expensive, but they do not have the ability to fully heat your whole home. In this case, space heaters have more of a capability to heat large spaces. Electric fireplaces are also not reliable during power outages, since they need electricity to be used.
While electric fireplaces can look better than they used to, they still don’t replace the same ambiance that comes from traditional fireplaces. You cannot get the same crackling sound that you’d normally get with wood-burning heat sources. Now, if you are looking to be more eco-conscious, adding an electric fireplace takes away the emissions that come from a traditional fireplace.
While electric fireplaces may be popular amongst those who may not be able to have traditional fireplaces, there is still a need for reliable safe heat. This is where we at Mountain Home Stove & Fireplace come in. With our years of experience in providing customers with excellent service, we can provide electric as well as install traditional gas fireplaces and more.
