Alexandra Ramirez
1. Real Flame
Best Overall Electric Fireplace
5/5 Product Rating
Once you own this electric fireplace, you’re going to be convinced that it’s better than a traditional fireplace, and offers you all of the comforts but with much more convenience. Traditional fireplaces are banned in many cities these days, because of the toxic smoke that they emit into the air. An electric fireplace affords you that charming glow and rich warmth, but without the smoke and safety hazards. Enhance the decor of your home with this romantic fireplace from Slim Crawford.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Cartwright
Best Overall Electric Fireplace – Runner Up
4.8/5 Product Rating
You’re going to see that what the Cartwright does best is add a welcoming vibe to your home with minimal effort. A tremendous value, this fireplace burns cleanly and safely, and adds a gentle glow to any room. Easy to install and use, this fireplace is also made from durable materials that are meant to stand the test of time, and gives you hours of quality fire for years to come.
– Sarah Lytle
3. Lifesmart
Best Budget Electric Fireplace
4.7/5 Product Rating
Perfect for zone heating, this fireplace uses up to 1500 watts to heat a room, which is no more than your basic hair dryer. That means that you’re saving energy and saving money when you heat a large room with this unit. All you have to do is plug it into a standard 15 amp 110 volt outlet and you’re ready to enjoy hours of heat and glow. With a beautiful and realistic dancing flame to delight your eyes, you’re going to feel as though you’re sitting in front of a real fire. You can choose to operate the fireplace with or without heat, so you can enjoy the ambience year-round, even during the summer months. Lastly, the Lifesmart Fireplace comes with E-Z glide casters that make it easy to move from place to place.
– Sarah Lytle
Electric Fireplace Buying Guide
What is an Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces are charming home accessories that will serve a number of functions. These units can effectively heat up a room in your home while also adding a great design element to your decor. There are many things to take into consideration when purchasing an electric fireplace, as there are many models on the market.
Considerations
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How will you use the fireplace?
It’s important to get specific about how you intend to use your fireplace. You can experience many benefits from owning one, such as creating a beautiful centerpiece to any room, having a heating mechanism to provide warmth, and you may choose an electric fireplace to add an extra touch of ambience. Fireplaces are always the focal point of a room and will draw the eye to them, and the appearance of the fireplace might therefore be your priority. When looking for the right fireplace for your home, keep all these considerations in mind, and understand which element is more important to you. -
Where will the fireplace go?
It’s very important to consider the space in which the fireplace will go. You typically place these units next to a wall, but be sure that you have enough space for the fireplace ahead of time. They come in various different sizes, so be sure to measure the wall where you intend to place it before purchasing. Also, take into account the cubic feet of the room as well as the amount of space that the electric fireplace can heat. It will be noted on the box how much space the fireplace can heat. When comparing fireplaces, always note how far the heat will radiate for each model. -
What type of fireplace is right for you?
You’ll find many different electric fireplaces designed in different ways. Some are meant to look like traditional fireplaces with mantle details. This is the best type of electric fireplace when you want a more formal look in your living room or family room. You’ll find that the units with a mantle are heavier and larger, so this is a good choice if you plan to keep the fireplace as a permanent fixture in the room. You can also find more modern fireplace designs when you want an accent piece for an apartment or condo. The smaller designs are more portable, but they will heat a smaller amount of space. -
What size do you need?
When you purchase an electric fireplace, size is a very important factor. You’ll find sizes that range from small and compact enough to fit into a small bedroom, to larger models that will dominate the living room. There are various advantages to each size of fireplace. Small units will require less maintenance and will offer ease of temperature control, while large fireplaces look more authentic. You’ll also get enhanced heating power with a large fireplace, and this will keep your room warm and cozy during the winter months. Also, with large units you can use added accessories, such as grates which make the fireplace look even more realistic and comforting. -
What type of power will you need to use?
It’s important to take into account watts and heating power when buying an electric fireplace. You’ll find that each model uses a different amount of wattage, and much like a lightbulb, this will determine the power of your fireplace. The wattage will determine the amount of heat that the machine will give off, and dependent upon the quality of heat you need in the room, it might be wise to look into infrared heating fireplaces instead of those that use a stove. The infrared will produce a natural heat that will keep utility bills lower than other options can.
5 Benefits to Owning an Electric Fireplace
For centuries, people have enjoyed the benefits of having a fireplace in their homes. That’s because they offer warmth, comfort, ambience, and they make the room more attractive. There have been recent innovations that have moved the traditional fireplace more towards a cleaner energy source that uses natural gas and electricity to create heat. The electric fireplace finds the perfect balance between clean energy, while still remaining aesthetically pleasing. Let’s look at some of the other benefits of owning one of these remarkable devices.
- No Dangerous Fumes: With an electric fireplace, you eliminate the need for using gas or wood to create a flame and to heat the room. This will reduce the emissions that harm the environment and put your family at danger.
- Low Maintenance: You do not need to clean your electric fireplace as much as you do with a gas or wood burning fireplace. You simply need to wipe the enclosure with a cloth to remove dust.
- Reduces Energy Costs: Any home heating system will drive up your energy costs, but electric fireplaces can be placed in the room and give off sufficient heat while using less energy.
- Plenty of Design Options: You can find numerous attractive design options for your electric fireplace. Whether you want a traditional looking fireplace to add to your wall, or you want a freestanding model that can be moved around the house, you’re going to find something that suits your tastes.
- Aesthetic Appeal: No matter what electric fireplace you choose, you’re going to find that it adds to and enhances the elegance and ambience of your home. Using an electric fireplace is also a great way to enhance the decor of your office or place of business.
Conclusion
Owning an electric fireplace is a wonderful way to add class, ambience, and warmth to your home at a fraction of the cost and effort that it takes to use a traditional fireplace. There are so many different kinds of electric fireplaces out there, and finding the right one for you comes down to knowing how you’re going to use the unit, and where it will be placed. Once you know the specifics of what you’re looking for, you’ll be ready to choose which style fits with your decor. You’re going to be amazed by all the designs there are to choose from, from the very traditional to the more modern and artistic. No matter what model you choose, you’re going to find the pleasing appearance and cozy warmth of an electric fireplace to be a welcome addition to your home.
Resources
- Slim Crawford: http://t.homedepot.com/
- SEI: http://www.walmart.com/
- Lifesmart: http://www.sears.com/
