Electric Fireplaces - Embrace Their Unique Style and Convenience

Dreaming of a cozy, fireside corner for the winter, but one without the drawbacks of fuel oil or wood? Electric fireplaces have made your dream a reality. Normand Hamel, Poêles et Foyers Rosemont, gave us a snapshot into his thoughts on the matter: 

“An electric fireplace boasts many upsides, such as ease of installation, clean-burning, and little maintenance necessary.”

From their workings to choosing the right electric fireplace for your home, here’s everything you need to know about this technology.

What Is an Electric Fireplace?

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When it comes down to it, an electric fireplace has two primary functions:

• Decorate

• Heat

It’s powered by electricity via a wall outlet, mimicking a wood-burning fireplace with realistic flames wherever installed.

To achieve realistic flames, water is transformed into steam and is then lit by LED bulbs, with a colour scheme that closely resembles that of evaporating water-made flames. Some units feature mirrors to further the visual illusion.

Electric fireplaces rely on two types of heating: 

• Electric convection heating

• Quartz infrared heating

With the former, coils are heated and a fan diffuses heat around the room, for a cozy ambiance, without emitting gases or smoke. As such, a chimney isn’t needed to reap the benefits of an electric fireplace.

As for the latter, short or long infrared waves heat the air and the features surrounding the halogen lamp (short waves) or carbon filaments (long waves).

Given its workings, there’s no need for a combustion chamber, no more than an extractor fan. Unlike traditional oil- or wood-burning fireplaces, there's a decent space gain.

How to Choose the Best Electric Fireplace - Real Flame, Modern Insert, TV Stand, and More

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Whether you’ve opted for an electric convection fireplace or one with quartz infrared burners, the furniture found in the fireplace’s immediate vicinity will stay at room temperature.

As a result, the characteristics you should consider before purchasing an electric fireplace suited to your needs are as follows:

• Intended use

• Square footage to heat

1. Fireplace use 

Fireplaces come in a myriad of sizes, types, and models, which we’ll look into in further detail down below. Homeowners can just as well purchase inserts or freestanding units that can be used anywhere and everywhere.

Some fireplaces even have a Bluetooth connection, accommodating a television, for example. They’re available in a slew of different styles:

• Modern

• Traditional

• Transitional

Electric fireplaces must not only meet your needs but also fit your home decor.

2. Size and layout of the space to heat

A convection fireplace proves to be efficient in 400 square feet or fewer rooms, whereas a quartz infrared fireplace can heat 1,000-square-foot rooms. Note that an electric fireplace alone will never be able to sufficiently heat a 1,500-square-foot space.

Surfaces can change on account of the following: 

• Ceiling height

• Number of windows

• Type of furniture (heat-absorbing or not)

The Different Types of Indoor Fireplaces

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There are no less than 7 different types of electric fireplaces. Their prices range according to the following:

• Power

• Size

• Heating system

• Level of control (thermostat, height of flames, etc.)

The most expensive purchases are television screens displaying a fireplace screensaver. According to Normand Hamel, “Television screens with a fireplace screensaver retail between $3,000 and $6,000.”

On the other hand, "electric fireplace log inserts [RLG20 and RLG25] cost roughly $600.” Although just a set of fake logs that aren’t necessarily aesthetically pleasing, these can be plugged into a wall outlet to give off a wood-burning fireplace flame effect.

Wall-Mounted Fireplace

Hamel, a stove and fireplace expert in Montréal, states that “an electric stove [or freestanding electric fireplace] costs between $400 and $1,000.”

The slim design of some models can convey an impression that the fireplace is built-in instead of wall-hung.

For the perfect, look-alike fireplace illusion, many manufacturers offer a panel that can be painted, ensuring the unit’s power cable can also be concealed.

An unmatched wall-mount electric fireplace also has acrylic ice ember bed chunks, ensuring the light reflects off the chunks for a flickering glare. The colour of the flames can also be selected, whereas a timer can automatically power off the device for a remote-controlled appliance.

However, a wall-mount electric fireplace can rarely heat a room with over 400 square feet of space.

Corner Fireplace

A corner electric fireplace is an isosceles triangle-shaped stand that’s positioned in the corner of a room in which you want a fireplace. Some models are particularly effective, heating up to 1,000 square feet on 5,100 BTUs.

Especially functional, corner fireplaces also have a mantel that can support 100 pounds (45 kg), so a 60-inch television.

Units retail between $900 and $1,300.

Built-in Fireplace

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Elegant and space-saving, built-in fireplaces are hardwired, concealing the device’s power cable. When it comes to buying an electric fireplace, it’s not so much the price point one has to focus on, but rather its quality.

Prioritize all units retailed with a 1- to 2-year warranty. If you’re hoping to install such a unit in a condo or bungalow, hire a skilled electrician, preferably one employed by a reputable Canadian company. 

Portable Fireplace

This is the most affordable type of electric fireplace, with prices starting at $60 for a 22-inch tall portable unit with 5,000 BTU (1,500 W) of power. But, as with most things, the latter is an exception. Otherwise, for the previously-mentioned price point, one can purchase an elegant electric fireplace resembling:

• TV stand

• Vintage, antique pine stand

• Media console

• Fireback

• And more

The possibilities are endless and black, white, or even gray fireplaces can match any interior design.   

Vertical Fireplace

An electric fireplace can be installed just about anywhere in a home. No other electric fireplace is as suited to just about any room as the vertical model. Its ethereal design fits all layouts and designs. 

The best models feature: 

• Ember bed

• Colour- or style-changing flame technology

• Light inserts

• 5,000 BTU rating

• Cold-running

Freestanding Fireplace

A freestanding unit is an electric fireplace that can just as easily be moved as a piece of lightweight furniture. However, since it can tip over, it’s equipped with an automatic shut-off safety feature in case it's knocked over or overheats.

This type of fireplace comes in various models, from a classic look to an infinitely more modern one.

Linear Fireplace

A linear electric fireplace is rather short, but stuns lengthwise, at times exceeding 67.5 inches long. It features the following:

• Colour-changing technology

• Panoramic views

• Built-in or wall-mounted installation

This type of product suits common areas, such as big living rooms. Above all, it’s an aesthetic unit rather than a heating source.

FAQ

Can you put an electric fireplace insert in an existing fireplace?

Absolutely! You can convert a wood-burning fireplace with a modern, electric insert by removing all the fittings (gas grate, wood grate, burners, logs, etc.) and insert the slide, ensuring there's an electrical outlet nearby to plug it into.

Do electric fireplaces really warm a room?

Yes, provided that the electric fireplace has a heat output feature, said unit can heat a room, but can't be used as a dwelling's main source of heat.

What is the downside of an electric fireplace?

Given the limited heating power of an electric fireplace, such devices are likely to solely heat within their immediate vicinity, thereby leaving other spaces without heat. Also, despite their higher energy efficiency compared to traditional fireplaces, regular use could lead to increased electricity consumption. 

What brand is the most realistic electric fireplace?

Based on flame technology, some of the most sought-after electric fireplaces retailed include Dimplex's Opti-Myst, SpectraFire, and MagikFlame.