The comfort and quality of your home are some of the main factors that determine how much you enjoy spending time in the setting. If you’re looking to create a cozier ambiance, it’s important to consider adding a fireplace, which can become the focal point in your home, office, or living room. Electric fireplaces are popular choices in different types of settings, but many people question if they give off enough heat during the colder seasons.
In this post, you will learn:
- How Much Heat Do Electric Fireplaces Produce?
- Where Can You Buy an Electric Fireplace?
- The Best Electric Fireplaces to Purchase
- Benefits of an Electric Fireplace
- Where to Spot to Place an Electric Fireplace
How Much Heat Do Electric Fireplaces Produce?
Most people assume that you need a wood-burning fireplace if you want supplemental heat in your home. Although traditional fireplaces are reliable for heating your interior setting, they’re not as energy-efficient as other types of fireplaces and often heat the home more than necessary.
Electric fireplaces can be a better option and are currently increasing in popularity because of their low energy consumption. Despite their efficiency, they still manage to produce a significant amount of heat to ensure you can stay warm while sitting in any area of the room. All the heat produced is used compared to wood-burning fireplaces which can lose up to 80 percent of their heat. Natural gas fireplaces also lose a lot of heat, with an average of 75 percent of heat lost as it escapes through the chimney.
Electric fireplaces can produce an average of 4,500 BTUs while still having an energy-efficient design and operation. There are even some more advanced models with up to 6,000 BTUs. Researching the BTUs of each fireplace is necessary to ensure it emits enough heat for the size of the room you plan to use it in throughout the year. Consider how many square feet you have in the room and calculate 20 BTUs per square foot to get the right number.
For small to medium rooms, opt for a fireplace with 5,000 BTU. Larger rooms require an electric fireplace with 9,000 to 10,000 BTU. The flames on electric fireplaces aren’t real, but the feature still emits heat because it contains a built-in heater.
If you’re wondering how much heat do electric fireplaces produce, it’s also important to realize that the way the feature distributes the heat is convenient for residents. A wood fireplace is known to produce too much heat at times, which can cause the entire house to feel too warm as the fireplace is in use. Electric fireplaces deliver zone heating to ensure the only space that is heated is the room it’s placed in, which maintains a comfortable temperature in the building with added energy efficiency. The energy-efficient product releases enough heat to keep everyone warm while supplementing the main heating element in the building, which can keep your energy costs low throughout the year.
Many fireplace models even offer the option of turning off the built-in heater to ensure you can enjoy the look of the flames without heating the room during the warmer seasons. The electric fireplace heater will add a decorative element to the space when you’re hosting gatherings or parties without increasing the temperature in your home. The upscale appearance can update your home decor and cause it to look like an item that is more expensive than it costs.
The heat settings on the feature also allow you to adjust the thermostat to the right temperature based on the climate outside or the time of year you plan to use it. Whether you select a freestanding fireplace or an infrared electric fireplace insert, the product will emit enough heat to quickly change the temperature in the space. The heat also emits in minutes to ensure you don’t have to wait long to feel the warmth.
Although zone heating is provided with an electric fireplace, the item still delivers more heat than space heaters to avoid layering on the blankets. You can rely on it to stay warm without using your central heating system when other parts of the house are unoccupied.
Where Can You Buy an Electric Fireplace?
Once you decide to purchase an electric fireplace because of how much heat it emits, you’ll need to discover the best places to buy the product. The best place to start your search is online to ensure you can discover the many models available through dozens of manufacturers in the industry. Start by looking on sites like Amazon to discover the different options available and feature the many features of each product. Consider what you need, whether you’re looking for something with a fireplace mantel or you desire a product that comes with a remote control.
The Best Electric Fireplaces to Purchase
Although you may know that an electric fireplace is the best option for your needs, it can be challenging to know what products are the most reliable. Reviewing the background of each company can allow you to get a look at their operations and manufacturing process.
Reading reviews will also offer insight into the best brands to determine what fireplaces consumers enjoy using the most. This will also allow you to narrow down the top brands in the industry to ensure you invest in something with quality, long-lasting materials.
MagikFlame is one of the top electric fireplace brands in the industry because of the advanced technology used to create the look of realistic flames. MagikFlame stands out amongst other brands because it uses patented holographic technology with a high level of detail and accurate color shades. It even features cracking log sound effects to make your guests believe you have a real wood fire in the room.
The MagikFlame story is unique because it involves an entrepreneur, Howard Birnbaum, who has a background in creating f/x effects for some of the top films made in Hollywood. His advanced technology experience allowed him to carry his skills over to the electric fireplace industry when he couldn’t find a realistic electric fireplace. The screen used looks like real fire and can lower your electric bill because it only uses an average of 13 0.003 to 3 cents per hour when you’re not using the heat setting. Electric fireplace costs could average of $50 and $80 each year compared to $200 and $500 with a gas fireplace.
Global brands like Dimplex and Duraflame are competitive, but possibly manufacture products globally, which means there may be quality concerns. It can also make it difficult to find the right parts if something wears down or breaks and the product is from another country. When you’re investing a significant amount of money into a new fireplace, the quality should be solid to ensure it has a longer lifespan and you can get more use out of it for many years to come without repairs needed.
The use of LED lights makes it look like a real flame and includes faux wood logs. You can turn the feature on in seconds and enjoy the different details on the fireplace, which includes burning embers and smoke to make the 30 flames look as realistic as possible.
The brand is also unique because of how MagikFlame is built. The brand sells American-made fireplace inserts in Nashville, TN to help ensure a higher level of reliability. A skilled team of technicians uses CAD software to build each fireplace, which is the same technology used to make submarines for the U.S. Navy. Each fireplace is hand-assembled, and the parts are cut with a high level of precision to ensure they fit together perfectly. The products stand the test of time because they’re not built with robots and aren’t mass-produced on an assembly line.
Premium quality wood is also used on the mantle and surround to create a contemporary and modern look that enhances the design of your room. You can show off the intricate beauty of the product while relying on a wall-mounted electric fireplace that is also functional because of its ability to heat the interior setting in minutes. The company builds AAA mantels with generations of experience and furniture-grade quality products.
Some of the items even double as a TV stand or dresser to serve more than one purpose and can be used in different ways. You can add a stunning piece of furniture to the room while also using it as a cost-effective heat source in addition to your central heating system.
If you want to learn more about the products available, you can read MagikFlame reviews that are posted on the company’s website. The testimonials will allow you to discover the pros and cons of each product before making your purchase.
You can also obtain a MagikFlame electric fireplace buying guide to learn about the different products to choose from for your personal space. You can review the features and details of each fireplace to narrow down your top options. The heat output is another factor included in the descriptions to ensure you can find specific models that will work with the size of your room.
Benefits of an Electric Fireplace
After you get answers to your question after asking, “How much heat do electric fireplaces produce?” it’s important to also understand the added benefits that come with owning an electric fireplace. Electric fireplaces are easy to install because they don’t require a chimney, gas line, or flue. Since real wood isn’t burned, it means there’s no use for a chimney or venting.
Compared to a traditional wood fireplace, it is ideal for residents who suffer from respiratory issues or allergies. The product doesn’t release any particles or contaminants into the air, which protects indoor air quality and won’t increase your risk of developing different health issues at a later time.
You also won’t contribute to pollution because there isn’t any smoke that is released into the air outdoors. This means you can use the electric fireplace as frequently as you prefer without making a harmful impact on the environment. Although most people are aware of how much emissions their car releases, fireplaces can also have the same effect on the environment and harm the climate.
Some cities and states even have restrictions on how much you can use the fireplace if it emits smoke. You may get fined if you choose to use the fireplace outside of the allowed timeframe. With an electric fireplace, you don’t have to follow any regulations and can use it as much as you prefer.
You can also avoid accidents that can occur on the property while using an electric fireplace. Compared to wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces don’t emit any carbon monoxide in the home, which can offer peace of mind as you try to protect your family. You won’t have to worry about accidents if you accidentally forget to close the flue. The lack of smoke produced also means there won’t be a build-up of creosote, which can lead to chimney fires. Additionally, you won’t have to spend money for a chimney sweep each year or clean out any ashes from the firebox every time you have a fire. The lack of wood needed also offers added savings.
A wall-mounted electric fireplace can also look like a built-in feature that enhances the aesthetics of your space. You can add a feature that looks like it came with the house and adds value to your property.
Not only does it offer extra warmth, but it also adds to the ambiance of your home to ensure you feel more relaxed and comfortable. The beautiful glow of the fireplace can add a soothing effect in any season.
Fireplace inserts are also versatile and convenient because they can fit inside an existing fireplace on your property. You don’t have to perform any modifications and can easily slip it in with a few brackets to keep it secure.
Installing an electric fireplace is easy to perform without any hassle after you determine how much heat do electric fireplaces produce. The heat source may emit a lot of warmth but doesn’t require any vents or chimneys because smoke is never produced. You don’t have to make any modifications to the building or spend money on construction when you want to add the product to your space. The simple and minimal design allows you to begin using the feature the moment you plug the electrical cord into a wall outlet. You can place it anywhere in the room without worrying about adding expensive features to the building. In addition to benefiting homeowners, this makes it convenient for renters to use and can allow them to take it with them to their next property.
The Best Spot to Place an Electric Fireplace
Consider replacing your electric fireplace in an area of the room where you can enjoy viewing the stunning flame effects. It can become the focal point in the setting if you choose to place it on the wall across from the entrance of the room. Unlike a gas fireplace, it doesn’t need a gas line or chimney, which means you can place it anywhere you prefer. Review the dimensions to ensure you have enough space on a specific wall in the setting. You also want to avoid using an extension cord when plugging it in, which can lead to fires because of how much power and volts surge through the wires.
Find a spot within a few feet of an electrical outlet. Fortunately, it can be placed in proximity to other furniture items in the space because the door panels don’t get hot to the touch. This makes it safe to operate around pets or children who live in the home.
The size of the fireplace is also more compact than traditional fireplaces, which means you can fit it in smaller spaces. You can even add it to your condo or apartment without worrying that it’ll overpower your bedroom or living room (living rooms with electric fireplaces are very cozy and beautiful).
Understanding how much heat electric fireplaces produce can allow you to get more use out of the feature, especially in the fall and winter seasons. You can keep the chill away and enjoy an energy-efficient product that creates a more eco-friendly setting without compromising your level of comfort.
