Benefits of an electric fireplace

If you like the idea of a wood or gas fireplace but can’t afford to buy one, an electric fireplace could be the answer – find out more here.

An electric fireplace is ideal
for any home

Everybody enjoys relaxing in front of a fireplace on a cold winters night and the flickering lights will add a touch of magic to your living room or bedroom. Still, having a fireplace installed is a lot of work and requires a chimney as well as regular inspections which may be too expensive or time consuming for you to consider. However, installing an electric fireplace is a cheaper alternative to a real wood or gas model.

What is an electric fireplace?

An electric fireplace is basically an electric heater that looks like a real fireplace; it is usually shaped and designed like a regular fireplace and will give an impression of a burning fire or of glowing coal. There are at least three different basic types of electric fireplaces:

• Wall mounted electric fireplace: these come in many different sizes and designs and can basically be hung anywhere.
• Free-standing electric fireplace: these resemble real fireplaces so they combine the benefits of an electric fireplace with a traditional appearance.
• Electric wood logs: these look just like a burning or glowing pile of wood logs or coal; they will be placed inside a real fireplace that will then be converted to an electric fireplace.

Also most electric fireplaces can be operated separately from the main central heating, although they can also be used to heat the room – as well as providing a much nicer atmosphere and achieving a better aesthetic than radiators.

Pros and Cons of an electric fireplace

Compared to an actual fireplace, an electric fireplace is much more flexible and easier to install and to maintain. Most types basically just have to be plugged in and there is less risk of fire, smoke intoxication or damage to the floor with an electric fireplace, as there is never a real fire. An electric fireplace is cheaper than an actual fireplace to buy, run and maintain. While a fireplace with real fire would heat the room more efficiently, the main purpose of an electric fireplace will be rather for ambience and lighting, so if the heating mode is switched off this won't bother you much. Electric fireplaces come in a range of designs to suit your home.

Costs of an electric fireplace

Basic models can come as cheap as £50 – £60, while most electric fireplaces will cost around £100 -£200 depending on the size, design and functionality you require. Wall mounted models will be quite inexpensive, while extensive sets that include a surrounding fireplace suite will cost between £300 -£500 plus installation cost and even much more elaborate and expensive models are available. Therefore, while being slightly more expensive than an ordinary electric heater, an electric fireplace will still be cheaper than a real fireplace. Hiring a professional to install the electric fireplace will also work out cheaper. The running costs resemble those of an electric heater but the heating power of an electric fireplace may be limited due to the design being top priority.