Why You Should Consider Electric Fireplaces Before Other Solutions

Nothing warms a home – literally and symbolically – like a fireplace. But if you own an apartment, condo or rent where you live, electric fireplaces are the best option because there is no need for a chimney nor a venting system and they still offer the homey, comforting ambience of wood fires. If you've been considering electric fireplaces over other alternatives, then you’ll be happy to know that the advantages are significant.

No need to gather kindling or buy firewood
It can be such an inconvenience to gather kindling, especially when it’s cold outside and the last thing you want to be doing is wandering around picking up sticks. Buying firewood can be extremely expensive and sometimes you can leave your run a little late and find the supplier out of stock, just when you need it most. Then there’s the issue of how to store and keep it dry, plus the problem of pests like spiders making their home in a woodpile. With electric fireplaces, you’re free of all these problems because the products simply plug into the electrical outlet and they’re ready to go!

Take them with you when you move
Good luck carting a fully installed wood-burning fireplace and hearth with you when you move house! The beauty of electric fireplaces is that they’re portable, and when you relocate, you can take them with you and use them in your new place. You can also move them from room to room to warm the spaces that you spend the most time in.

Safe to use
Electric fireplaces are as safe to use as stoves or toasters. They require no stoking or building up, no fuel other than electricity and no safety screens or no-go zones. This makes them the ideal solution for families with children and also for elderly people who can’t lug heavy logs around the house and find it difficult to start and maintain a real fire. Depending on which brand you buy, you can get one that features a safety thermostat cut-out that turns the unit off if in danger of overheating, or with a timer that switches the fireplace off after a pre-set time limit. There are no toxic fumes and no dirty residue left behind.

Cheap to run
Comparatively speaking, electric fireplaces are cheaper to run than gas heaters or wood fires. They also require far less maintenance than the other options, which makes them very cost-effective in the long run.

Attractive
Whether your home is high-tech and ultra-modern, or rustic and traditional, there are electric fireplaces to suit all tastes and designs. There are styles designed for an office setting, and others that specifically suit bedrooms or living rooms. The simulated flames draw the eye toward the fireplace and can be wonderfully mesmerising. Obviously the more expensive the unit, the more realistic the flames will appear to be, and some electric fireplaces can fool people into thinking the fire is genuine, at least at first. The firebox of your electric fireplace can be installed into the wall to look like a totally integrated heating system, complete with decorative finishes in a range of colors including stainless steel, brass or black.

Convenient
When you’re always on the move and your life runs at a hectic pace, you’re not always home long enough to enjoy relaxing in front of a roaring fire. However, it’s lovely to walk into a warmed house, and with electric fireplaces, new technology means you can set the timer in advance to switch on so that the ambient temperature is elevated before you even arrive home. Many units have remote controls so that you don’t even have to expend any energy getting up from the sofa or climbing out of bed to turn them on, off or change the settings. If you’re looking for a clean, inexpensive-to-run, attractive and safe heating solution, electric fireplaces could be just the thing!