An electric fireplace is a great thing to have inside your home. It provides you with the heat and comfort that you need around the home, without all the hassle of cleaning out a traditional fireplace. You can put this in where a traditional fireplace is already located or in a home that has never had a fireplace. With so many installation options and designs, you can have warm and toasty flames with this type of fireplace, whether you decide to do the work on your own or with the help of a professional. Some of the things you should know before you buy include:
1. What is the Heating capacity?
The first thing you need to figure out is the size that you will need for the fireplace. Most of these bio-fire places will run at 120 volts and it is considered as the standard. The average heater will run with 1500 watts and 122.5 amps. You will need to know what the heating capacity is ahead of time. You can do this by dividing the watts by 10. If you have 1500 watts, for example, then the electric fireplace will be able to heat up a room of 150 square feet.
Some electric fireplaces are able to heat up more, with most units able to heat up to 450 square feet. You will need to consider this heating capacity to help you get started too.
3. How Easy is the Installation?
You also need to know how easy it is to install the electric fireplace. The type that you would like to have will make a difference in how easy they are to install. Some of the things to consider here include:
- Fireplace conversion: Some electric fireplace inserts are going to be installed easily. You can just slip it into the hearth and then the surround that goes with it can cover the gaps. Just work to position these and plug it into your outlet.
- No installation: You can look at a free-standing fireplace and then put it where you would like in the room.
- For DIYers: For this one, you will need to work with a wall-mount electric fireplace. You will need to do a bit of math and do some planning, and you will be ready to go.
- For a designer look: If you plan to install a wall, you will want to hire a professional to help with this. It can be more involved compared to some of the other options but will be a great look in your home.
4. Safety and Health
If your home has pets and kids, then an electric fireplace is a good option. There is always the potential for a safety issue when you utilize a traditional fireplace. Even when the fire is all gone, the embers will still be hot.
When you use electric fireplaces in the home, you will have more safety. There is nothing that is burning, so the glass around it will never heat up. And you do not need to worry about allergies or asthma when you use this too. Since no wood or smoke can get into the home, this can make it safer to use.
5. Prioritize the Features
Another thing to consider before you get started with a new fireplace, you need to consider how well it will fit into the interior of your home. The good news is that these electric fireplaces will come in different sizes and varieties, so shop around to find the one that fits your needs.
You can also take a look at the specific features that come with the unit. You may want to consider how realistic the flames look, what kind of control you would like, and are there some special heat settings that will make the fireplace more enjoyable in your home.
There are many great features that you can choose when it comes to an electric fireplace in your home. You need to decide what seems to work the best and then work your way through the list to find the perfect fireplace for your needs.
6. You Will Not Need a Chimney
One of the benefits of working with an electric fireplace is that it does not use a flame and will not make smoke at all. This is good news for those who do not have a chimney in the home. You may miss out a bit on some of the magical moments with the flame, but you do not need to put in a new fireplace to get it to work.
Since you do not need to have a chimney in order to utilize the electric fireplace, you are able to put it anywhere you would like. It can even work well in your apartment or in another small area. Many do generate some heat, so be careful to keep it away from things you do not want to get too hot.
7. The Location
You will need to take a look around your home and figure out what the best location is in your living space to place the fireplace. One thing to consider while looking for a great location for the fireplace is the outlet. You will need to put the fireplace somewhere that it can be plugged in or it will not work properly.
In addition to making sure there is an outlet ready to go for the fireplace, consider where it makes the most sense in the room. A 28 inch electric fireplace insert in the middle of the room can be a good focal point, a place that everyone is able to sit back, relax and enjoy.
Choosing an Electric Fireplace
There are a lot of options that you can choose when it comes to having an electric fireplace in. your home. Before you jump in and choose this for your own home, there are a few big things to consider. Go through the list above and you will be set with a gorgeous electric fireplace that is perfect for your home.
