As electric fireplace specialists, we spend a lot of time answering questions about electric fireplaces, pros and cons. Here are some of the most common things that we discuss.
Electric fireplaces – Pros and Cons for Heating
Most electric fireplaces have heaters. The biggest ‘pro’ about those heaters is that they are not connected to the flames. This means that the flames may be turned on without the heater, for greater flexibility in heating. Another ‘pro’ is that the heater on an electric fireplace is always accompanied by a blower, so the warm air is circulated into the room.
A ‘con’ for the heaters on electric fireplaces is that they will not operate during a power outage. Another possible ‘con’, depending on the size of the space in which you are putting the fireplace, is that the heating range for an electric fireplace is 400 to 800 square feet.
Electric fireplaces – Pros and Cons for Operating Cost
Because of the high price of electricity in some areas, there is a misunderstanding that electric fireplaces are expensive to run. However, low operating cost is a ‘pro’ for electric fireplaces. Because the flame effect is created with LED light, the cost of the visual effect is extremely low. It is only when the heater is operating that any real amount of electricity is being used. Napoleon has a simple calculator to determine the operating cost in your area. Another ‘pro’ for electric fireplaces is their extremely low maintenance cost – there’s virtually no maintenance required.
Electric fireplaces – Pros and Cons for Efficiency
Electric fireplaces aren’t vented to the outside because there is no combustion – this is a real ‘pro’ for efficiency, because all the heated air is blown into the room, and nothing is lost to the outside. Electric fireplaces with a thermostat on the controls offer another ‘pro’ for efficiency, because the thermostat allows the fireplace to operate the heater only when the room temperature drops below a pre-set level. This means that the heater doesn’t run unnecessarily and use more power. Conversely, a possible ‘con’ for some electric fireplaces is that they do not come with a thermostat on the controls.
Electric fireplaces – Pros and Cons for Installation
Ease of installation is a ‘pro’ for electric fireplaces. Because there is no combustion, the choice of materials that can surround an electric fireplace are almost endless. The very slim depths of the most popular models of electric fireplaces is also a ‘pro’ for installation. Electric fireplaces do not take up a lot of space inside the room. The fact that electric fireplaces do not need venting, and therefore do not need an exterior wall location, is another ‘pro’ for electric fireplace installation.
A possible ‘con’ for the installation of electric fireplaces is the need for a dedicated electrical line. This may sometimes prove to be challenging, especially when walls are finished and are not being opened up for renovation work.
Electric fireplaces – Pros and Cons for Appearance
Today’s electric fireplace models are getting increasingly realistic, which is a ‘pro’. However, there are still cheaper models in the marketplace which do not have a realistic flame effect – a ‘con’. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, no matter what type of fireplace you are buying, so the pros and cons of appearance are open for debate!
We have summarized all the Pros and Cons of electric fireplaces in a handy table comparing gas to electric.
Stylish Fireplaces & Interiors specializes in electric fireplaces. Their Toronto-area showroom features over 50 fireplaces on display, with all of the finishing materials to complete the project. They are NFI Certified Hearth Design Specialists, so they have the expertise and knowledge to advise clients on the right fireplaces for their homes. They can also help with the design and construction of the fireplace feature.