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Electric fireplaces are the future; they’re a modern, clean and green home heating solution – and an aesthetically pleasing one, too. An excellent energy-efficient, low-cost alternative to conventional wood or gas fireplaces, they command minimal maintenance and don’t require special permits – nor do they even need a chimney. They’re thus ideal for busy homeowners as well as those on a budget who prefer not to have to fork out for firewood, gas, chimney cleaning and costly installation.
Given their numerous types, advantages and relatively low cost, electric fires are commonplace in homes all across the UK and beyond. If you’re considering an electric fire for your abode, let the details in this blog inform and guide your decision.
What is an electric fireplace?
First, an electric fireplace is essentially an electric heater that resembles a conventional gas or wood-burning fireplace. Usually, electric fires are mounted to a wall or placed inside a traditional fireplace.
Since they run on electricity, they’re plugged into the wall and typically offer heating and flame-only settings – the former to heat a space and the latter merely for aesthetic appeal. Energy consumption-wise, electric fires use around 1.4-1.6 kW to heat a 400 square-foot (37 m2) room, although more powerful electric fireplaces also exist, some of which can heat up to 1,000 square feet.
What are the different types of electric fires?
There are numerous electric fires on the market, with each type better suited to an individual’s heating needs, the space they have available for installation, and also their budget.
Some of the types of electric fires (and brands) commonly available are:
- Freestanding electric fires
- Inset electric fires
- Radiant bar electric fireplaces
- Wall-mounted electric fires
- Electric stoves
- Suite electric fires
- Optiflame fires
- Optimyst electric fires
In particular, among our range of electric fires, Dimplex Optimyst is one of our most popular options. A Dimplex electric fire is widely considered to be among the most sought-after on the market, not only due to innovative technology incorporated within, but also thanks to the brand’s exquisite traditional and modern styles.
In addition to type, electric fires come in a variety of aesthetic styles to complement homes with differing décor. For instance, you can choose different fuel beds, such as a glowing log or coal bed for a traditional ambiance or a crystal or pebble bed, which works well in contemporary homes. You can also select additional features, from sound elements and hearth pads for authenticity to handy remote control functions.
Is an electric fire worth it?
Electric fires afford plenty of benefits over traditional fireplaces, hence why many homeowners choose them. Among the most notable advantages of electric fireplaces are the following:
Low cost
Electric fires tend to be more affordable than most kinds of fireplaces in terms of initial purchase and installation, as well as running costs, since they consume electricity, not gas, wood or coal. There’s also no need to construct a chimney if you don’t have one already, there’s no costly professional installation, and they’re reasonably cheap to run, thanks to their energy efficiency.
Heat efficiency
Electric fires provide supplemental heat very efficiently. Typically, they offer a heat output of between 600W and 2kW – and the higher the wattage, the quicker it can heat a room. That’s not the most impressive aspect, though. Unlike stoves and conventional fireplaces that use a chimney as part of the setup (through which a significant amount of heat is lost), electric fireplaces are extremely heat efficient. There’s minimal energy loss; the vast majority of it is converted into heat and dispersed into the room.
Simple installation
As mentioned, electric fires are straightforward to install. Simply take them out of the box, plug them in and switch them on – job done.
Mess-free
Traditional fireplaces with real flames entail quite a bit of mess. There’s soot build-up, which requires chimney sweeping, along with any wood, debris, and black marks that fireplaces cause. However, with electric fires, that’s a non-issue; they create the same cosy ambiance of a real gas or wood-burning fireplace without any of the mess and subsequent cleaning.
Minimal maintenance
Electric fires can last for years without any maintenance. After installation, you don’t have to do anything further. An occasional cleaning and dusting session will keep it looking its best, but that’s about the only task you’ll need to do in terms of care.
Versatility
With standard fireplaces, you need a chimney, which limits where you can place them in your home. In contrast, electric fireplaces can be installed anywhere in any room so long as there’s an electricity supply.
Zone heating
Again, electric fires can be placed in any room. Therefore, they’re excellent as room-specific heaters, eliminating the need to put on the central heating all over the house. This, coupled with their high energy efficiency, means they can help reduce your heating bills if used strategically.
Cleaner air
Electric fires mean clean air in the home and outdoors. As there’s no fuel burning involved, they don’t pollute the air in the home or the environment. That’s also why electric fires are better for health-conscious people and those who suffer from breathing problems, asthma, or other conditions.
Safety
People with children and pets will find that electric fires are ideal because they’re much safer. They’re cool to touch, and the flames aren’t real; they’re LED lights mimicking the look of a flickering fire.
How much does an electric fire cost?
Electric fires cost varying amounts, depending on the brand, model, energy efficiency, power and heat output, size, design and additional features. Some cost less than a couple of hundred pounds, while some stretch into the thousands.
For instance, the electric fireplaces we sell range from £144 at the lower end to £1,440 for our most expensive model. Therefore, no matter your budget, electric fires are affordable for all – there’s one to suit every need, style and price range.
