Electric fireplaces are highly convenient owing to a variety of factors. These fireplaces are highly portable and add an exquisite visual appeal to the room in which they are kept. These structures do not require much space and can be placed anywhere in the room. Additionally, the glass door of this fireplace is not hot to touch, thus making it a safe heating option. Owing to these factors, many homeowners are choosing electric fireplaces to beautify their homes.
An electric fireplace allows you to heat a room that does not have the infrastructure to install a traditional wood-burning fireplace. Electric fireplaces allow you to zone heat the areas in the house that you use frequently. The flames are as captivating as a traditional fireplace.
If you are planning to invest in an electric fireplace, there are certain things that you should know about them. Let’s take a look at some of these here.
Eco-Friendliness
There is no combustion involved in electric fireplaces. So you do not need to worry about the carbon footprint. Additionally, clean flames eliminate the possibility of emission of poisonous gases like carbon monoxide. As a result, indoor air pollution is reduced significantly. Investing in zero emission electric fireplaces will prevent the exposure of your family to harmful chemicals and gases.
In addition to that, electric fireplaces eliminate the need to cut, season and have a constant supply of firewood in order to keep the fire burning.
Electric Fireplace Inserts
Many tend to confuse electric fireplaces with electric fireplace inserts. The inserts are electrically powered units that can be fit inside the fireplace cavern. Electric fireplaces, on the other hand, are entire units complete with mantles that work as portable fireplaces. The benefit of an electric fireplace insert lies with the fact that these can be taken out of the firebox at any time if you wish to burn wood.
Since electric fireplace inserts are used in the place of wooden logs, you do not have to worry about cleaning the flue or adequate ventilation. Electric fireplace inserts are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. You can choose the one that matches the theme of your house.
Zone Heating
Zone heating is an effective strategy to reduce the heating bills of your house. This is where electric fireplaces come in handy. In simple words, zone heating is a method to heat the room that you use often with the help of an alternative heating source. Therefore, with an electric fireplace handy, you do not need to increase the temperature of the thermostat anymore. This will reduce the heating bill of your house considerably.
Usually, the door of an electric fireplace is locked air-tight. This allows the fire to burn at high temperatures thus producing a large quantity of heat which is enough to heat the room quickly. Some of the electric fireplaces also come with a blower which allows you to circulate the heat around the entire room. Therefore, electric fireplaces are effective sources of supplemental heat.
Installation
Installation of electric fireplaces is hassle-free. These do not require any gas lines, chimney etc. You can install one anywhere there’s a power outlet in the room. The portability of these structures adds to the benefit. You can install the electric fireplace yourself. Sometimes it is as easy as hanging it on the wall.
Maintenance
One of the best things about owning an electric fireplace is that these require minimum maintenance. Electric fireplaces hardly require any ventilation. Therefore, there is zero chance of ash, creosote or soot polluting the interior of the firebox.
That being said, certain maintenance procedures can help you ensure that the electric fireplace performs at its best. These procedures involve cleaning the fan, checking the fuses, the bulbs, breaker etc. You would need to ensure that the power is available at the electric fireplace outlet always so that it functions properly.
You can consider getting your fireplace inspected by an expert from time to time in order to eliminate any possibility of malfunctioning. If you live in Brighton, you can consider getting in touch with a competent chimney sweep in Brighton for this purpose.
Before buying an electric fireplace, you should understand your requirements and choose a model that fulfills them.
Contributed by: http://www.jamesthesweep.co.uk/
