Category Archives: Electricity

4 Ways in Which Electric Fireplaces Are Better Than Traditional Wood Ones

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If you are planning to install an electric fireplace, it is understandable if you have some kind of apprehension in your mind. After all, electric fireplaces are a very recent invention, and most people think that they are no patch on the traditional wood ones. And after all, traditional wood fireplaces look rustic and beautiful and greatly add to the décor of the room in which they are present-electric fireplaces cannot do that.

There is also the fact that people are used to the popping and crackling sound that wood makes when it is burnt in a fireplace. For most people, this is what a fireplace should be like. Your electric fireplace is not going to produce these sounds. This is another reason why people don’t like electric fireplaces all that much.

However, if you knew better, you could see that there are some great advantages to electric fireplaces that you won’t get with traditional wood ones. Here is a list of them.

1. The first big benefit is that there is no installation per se for fireplaces. You just get these devices, place them in a convenient place, plug them into an electrical socket, power them on, and they are done. They are so very simple to use. This is one of the reasons why electric fireplaces are a popular choice in places like restaurants and offices because they don’t need to do anything major with the décor of the room.

2. Also, these devices are quite sleek. They are compact and small, and they have their handles. You can easily carry these devices from one place to another. Their unique portability makes it easier for you to move around with them, even when you are traveling. They make outdoor picnics possible even in the fall and winter when people don’t like to venture out because of the cold. You just want an electric supply and you are done.

3. We all know how dramatically expensive timber has become. Added to that, it is actually a big pain to the environment if we are using wood just for burning and producing heat. That’s a terrible waste of a valuable natural resource and energy. That is the reason why a lot of people are moving towards fireplaces. They realize that fireplaces are a good replacement for wood; there is no wood used in these and hence they are doing their little bit for the environment.

4. Also, you will find that this fireplaces are highly convenient. We usually don’t have the time nowadays to carry out all the cleaning and maintenance tasks that traditional wood fireplaces need. There is no need to remove the ashes the next day itself and ventilate the place. With electric fireplaces, there is no smoke released and no ash is produced. These are very clean sources of heat and don’t require any more maintenance than a general electrical device would require. This also saves on the recurring cost-no need of regularly buying firewood or hiring people to clean and maintain your fireplace.

These reasons should put your mind at rest. Electrical fireplaces are really becoming popular now, and you wouldn’t be wrong if you invested in one.

Seven Critical Qualities of an Electric Fireplace

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The interest in electric fireplaces is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, there is a lot of inaccurate information out there, confusing the process of selecting the right fireplace. Fortunately, the process isn’t all that difficult, once you know the right questions to ask. With that introduction, here are

The Seven Critical Qualities of an Electric Fireplace

  1. Construction. What is the mantle made of? Is it solid wood or pressboard? How about the firebox? You must look at a fireplace as you would any other piece of furniture, since has both form and function. Ever notice how the screws pull out of pressboard, or seen a pressboard entertainment center just collapse? Solid wood means quality, pressboard-well, not so much.
  2. Detail. Look at the corners, bottom and sides for detail. Did the manufacturer take the time to make the whole mantel look nice, or or is the nice moldings and detail just on the main, front part? The more detail, the more likely you’re looking a quality piece of furniture.
  3. Realistic Flame. Nothing is more critical to the ambience of your fireplace than the realism of the flame. There is great variation in this area, so make sure you do your homework. Brands like Dimplex, Classic Flame on the high end, and Real Flame on the lower end of the spectrum, have the best flames. Beware of others and check out my reviews at the links below.
  4. Realistic Logs and Embers. It’s easy to forget the logs, but they are very important to the overall ambiance. Look for logs that look charred and glow when on, and that look real when off. There’s nothing worse than a log that looks like a broken piece of concrete!
  5. Finish. If it looks cheap, it IS cheap! Remember that Oak has a lot of grain; if that’s what you want, fine, but if it’s not, be careful. Look for a deep, lustrous finish, as opposed to something that looks painted on or chintzy.
  6. Heating Ability. While an electric fireplace should never be a home’s sole source of heat, you do want something that can keep a moderately sized room cozy. A good fireplace has 4500 BTUs, which can heat up a room sized at 20×20.
  7. Remote Control & Plug and Play. Yes, I know this is two! Plug and play means you simply plug your fireplace into an outlet-and you don’t need an electrician. This greatly simplifies installing your electric fireplace. And don’t forget the remote. A good fireplace always comes with a remote control to operate it.

There you have it: the Seven Critical Qualities to Look at when Buying an Electric Fireplace. Please feel free to check out my reviews of the various fireplace models to see which ones stack up. Good luck!