An electric wall fireplace heater is an elegant option when the thermostat starts to show low temperatures. They improve the ambiance of any room with their multi-function ability to heat a room while also making it more attractive. Whether you are interested in buying it as a stand-alone piece or as part of a home improvement, you have a number of different options to choose from to allow you to customize it as you, please. There are also a number of different benefits from LED flames to real flames that you will see instantly. When you are finally ready, look for the best brand available, MagikFlame, to ensure you are pleased with your purchase.
What is an Electric Fireplace?
Essentially, an electric fireplace is a multi-function heater that looks like a fireplace. It uses mechanical LED lights to create a fire effect in the unit. An electric fireplace then uses infrared heat to emit warmth in the nearby area. There are a number of different brands and types of electric fireplaces which we will cover in this article. Getting the right fireplace for your home and your lifestyle will ensure that you enjoy your fireplace.
Benefits of Electric Fireplaces
There are a number of benefits to electric fireplaces that make them an attractive option to traditional fireplaces. Here are some of the benefits of electric fireplaces:
1. Safe
One of the most beneficial aspects of electric fireplaces is that they are significantly safer than traditional fireplaces with real flames. You will never have to worry about flames spiraling out of control if you leave them unattended for a moment, and you won’t have to worry about children or pets hurting themselves by playing with the fire.
2. Environmentally Friendly
Our carbon footprint is more important now than ever with the current state of the environment. A little electric fireplace only uses a small amount of electricity to power it. You won’t be putting pollutants into the air (or your home) as you would with a traditional fireplace. However, you’ll still be able to heat at least 400 sq. ft or larger with a wall-mount electric fireplace.
3. Clean
When you are done with a wood fireplace, you are forced to clean up all of the ash that is left behind. It can even get onto the floor of your home. With an electric fireplace, you will never have to worry about cleaning up when you put the fire out for the night.
4. Cost
When it comes to installing a traditional fireplace or electric fireplace, there is no comparison in cost. Electric fireplaces are much easier to install in almost every situation. In fact, except for a few instances, most electric fireplaces merely require a simple electrical outlet.
5. Ventless
Wood fireplaces require ventilation to let the smoke out of your home. You won’t need to worry about ventilation for your electric fireplace at all. They all offer ventless heating options. This means that installation will be less expensive since you won’t need to include ventilation in the installation.
6. Controllable
One of the great things about electric fireplaces is that they give you the opportunity to have complete control over your heating and flames. With the best options, you can control the heat options, style of flame, flame brightness settings, and even the color of the flames with remote control. You aren’t able to control traditional fireplaces or real fire in the same way. Newer models not only have a remote but also a touch screen for products with easy accessibility.
7. Appearance
The multicolor flame and flame effect make the realistic flame as gorgeous if not more gorgeous than a real flame. It is sure to add to your home decor. You can choose from either logs or an ember bed, and flames will dance on top. The best wall mount electric fireplaces will have reflectors that help make the flames look as realistic as possible.
7. Easy Installation
In most cases, your electric fireplace will be extremely easy to install. This is extraordinarily true when you consider what is required to install a wood fireplace. Read the instructions carefully, and make sure your wall can withstand it. The instructions will make it clear how to install the unit on an x-inch wall. Even in a brand new home, many people are an option for electric fireplaces instead of regular fireplaces due to the benefits. That doesn’t mean that the installation is simple in the building process for units that are built into the building.
Cons of Electric Fireplaces
While the benefits are clear, there are also some cons to electric fireplaces. Here are some of the things people worry about when it comes to electric fireplaces:
1. Tacky
The first electric fireplaces were not the most attractive options available. Many people even saw them as “tacky” and an eyesore. Luckily, those days are far behind us. Today, electric fireplaces are extremely gorgeous and the flames look real. The only tacky options out there are the older, cheap versions.
2. Heating
Electric fireplaces simply cannot provide the same amount of heat as a real fire. They should not be considered as a primary source of heat for your home. Also, since the heat is electric, if the electricity goes out, so will the heat. However, the heating is perfect for heating one room. This can save you money if you only need to heat one room instead of the whole house.
3. Certain Lack of Realty
As great as the fake flames get, there are certain things that an electric fireplace can never do that a real fireplace can. For example, an electric fireplace will not be able to emit the smell of burning logs. There is also something missing when it comes to the process of lighting the fire and prodding it with a stick to keep it going.
Generally speaking, there are three main types of electric fireplaces. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t have variations. The three main types of electric fireplaces include:
- Wall fireplace
- Electric fireplace mantel
- Electric fireplace insert
Several Wall Fireplace
The wall-mounted electric fireplace can be hung on the wall without much hassle similar to a television. However, there are other more secure recessed versions that are actually installed into the drywall. You have the choice between partially recessed or fully recessed options. A recessed electric fireplace can be hung at home with the installation materials included with the fireplace. You will need to have some drywall and tools ready if you want to install a recessed fireplace. Just be mindful of the building code in your area to learn about the requirements for installing more in-depth wall-hanging electric fireplace options. When you choose a wall-mount electric fireplace, it will likely be a linear electric fireplace. A linear electric fireplace means that it is longer than it is wide.
Not every wall-mount electric fireplace only has a front view. There are unique options that provide a 3-sided view or a see-through view. The 3-sided view offers a great front view as well as clear views of the flames from both sides as well. The see-through view allows you to enjoy the fireplace from two different rooms. The unit is in the wall between the two rooms. The unit can be controlled from each room separately. For example, you can turn the heat on in one room while leaving it off in the other. These two options are generally considered the best wall-mount electric fireplaces.
Electric Fireplace Mantel
Electric fireplace mantels include both a mantel and then a firebox that goes inside of the mantel. The firebox is what provides the realistic flame. Most versions are vent-free and don’t require additional ventilation in the home. The firebox can generally plug into any standard 120-volt outlet. It’s nice to have the mantel available for you to place knick-knacks or even a television. Many of these options come in a freestanding version that makes installation especially easy. A freestanding version will be heavy, but it will come as a complete piece. It will take up a large amount of sq. ft in your home, so you will need a lot of room compared to an ultra-thin version that you can put on your wall. However, you may be able to use this large unit as a place to store items in your living room. There are even electric fireplace mantels that work more like ovens than mantels. You can actually cook on them! Of course, once again, these are larger models.
Electric Fireplace Inserts
Inserts holoflame fireplace are inserts that fit into existing fireplaces, no matter what material they are made from, even brick or stainless steel. The inserts will display LED glowing logs that can be used with or without heat. you can even put a log set into the original fireplace that resembles real logs, increasing the realistic nature of the unit. The inserts typically plug into a standard 120-volt outlet as well. This option is particularly effective for people who already have a fireplace in their home but aren’t crazy about the maintenance that comes with it. Why pay for logs, chimney cleaning, and cleaning more when you can just buy an insert to enjoy the comfort and heat of a fireplace? You can choose between built-in fireplace inserts, which are more efficient but also more expensive to put in, or you can select a plug-in insert. A built-in insert will look like it was built with your home, but it may require hard wiring. A plug-in insert will be much easier to install. However, you may not get the same results when it comes to heating capabilities. It may also cost more to use the heater when it comes to your utility bill. If you want to really make your plug-in insert look authentic, you can install an outlet right in your fireplace. However, keep in mind that you will never be able to use that fireplace to burn real wood ever again.
Televisions/Electronics and Electric Fireplaces
Since the electric fireplace doesn’t have smoke or modern flame, you may automatically assume that it is safe to use underneath your television. However, most electric fireplaces include a heating feature. You don’t want the heat to hurt the television. Be sure to keep it at least 12 inches away from the television unless the fireplace emits heat from the bottom of the front. Keep in mind that you can get an electric fireplace tv stand that is made with these considerations in mind. Plan how you will incorporate the other items in your home in advance so that you will have those little details covered.
As the world has become more reliant on technology, the electric fireplace industry has followed suit. You will even notice that all MagikFlame options come with Bluetooth capability. There’s no need for a remote when you can use your smartphone to set the LED fire exactly how you like it. Many options are actually designed as a complete entertainment center. You can use the Bluetooth feature to play music as well as control the unit. There are options that come with a speaker or require you to provide your own speaker. What will you want to do while relaxing by the fire? Will you want sound? Will you want to watch television? Will you want to store video game consoles or movies by the fire? Will you require different outlets to plug things into the unit?
Fireplace Buying Guide
There are a lot of options available to you. You want to pick something that fits your particular needs. Things to consider include:
- Placement
- Heating requirements
- Style
- Installation
- Budget
Placement
Will you be placing your electric fireplace heater inside, outside, or in the bathroom? You will get a different fireplace if you plan to put it in your living room compared to the bathroom. This will be due to the size of the room, space available, installment required, and desired result. Have the measurements of the area handy when shopping so that you get the right size for the location of the unit. There are also special outdoor-graded units that are made to withstand more of the elements and heat a larger space.
Heating Requirements
Will you want to use your electric fireplace to heat the area it is in? How big of a space is this? You are going to want to get a product that will have the capability to produce enough heat. You also don’t want to get something that will produce too much heat if it’s not necessary. An electric wall fireplace heater has a BTU number that will be the best indication of how well it can heat your home. The higher the BTU number, the hotter the unit will get to your home. Learn about the heating options and capabilities of your fireplace before you buy it.
Style
Electric fireplaces are made to be an attractive part of your home. You will want one that compliments the style you have already created. You will want something ultra-thin and modern instead of large and clunky if you are going with a sleek look. A simple onyx border can provide you with everything you need in this case. Of course, you may want something more ornate if it matches your design style, and there are a number of options for that, too.
Installation
Most electric fireplaces are simple to install. However, there are some that will require the consultation of an architect during the building process. You will need to weigh out the options of the cost of a complicated installation and the cost of a simpler installation that doesn’t perfectly fit your interior design.
Budget
You have a budget, and you need to stick to it. If you are looking to remodel or build a new home, your budget will be higher. You know to expect additional expenses to have things exactly how you want them. However, not everyone has the same budget for a fireplace. Be realistic and look into your options to learn which fireplaces won’t be too expensive. You also don’t want to go too cheap. Certain brands, like Simplifire, aren’t as worthwhile as brands like MagikFlame.
MagikFlame
The MagikFlame story is a simple one of the American Dream. They wanted to provide a product that the world could benefit from and that would provide for their family. However, they knew that in order to succeed in a competitive market, they need to provide the best product available. So that’s what they did. How MagikFlame is built is what makes it stand out from the others. It is made with quality in mind, so you know that you are buying a quality product. All you need to do is read through the MagikFlame reviews to learn exactly what people have to say. In short, people love them. You can also use the reviews to learn about the different options available. The reviews and the MagikFlame electric best fireplace buying guide should give you all of the information you need to make an educated purchasing decision. All you need to do is search on Amazon when you have made a decision to buy. Talk to your seller to learn about payment plans and financing as well as warranty. You’ll see why people stick with MagikFlame over Dimplex, Amantii, Touchstone, or other competitors brands.
Some of the things that set MagikFlame apart from the competition include:
- 30 ultra-realistic flames
- 5,200 BTU built-in heater
- crackling log sounds
One of the main complaints about early electric fireplaces was that the flames were not realistic enough. Realistic flame effect and realistic log in MagikFlame products make the flames look almost real. There’s also a mirroring effect to contribute to the overall aesthetics.
The BTU heater allows you to control heat settings with little hassle with the remote control. You can expect to heat up to 1,000 square feet. This is far more effective than a traditional space heater.
the crackling log sounds that come with MagikFlame electric fireplaces add a level of authenticity.
There’s also something soothing about the gentle crackling sounds while you relax for the evening. For those moments when you want to dwell in complete silence, you have that option, too. Simply turn off the sound feature and turn it back on when you want it. Here are some additional manufacturers of electric fireplaces:
- Dimplex
- Sideline
- Simplifire
- Amantii
- Classicflame
- Touchstone
MagikFlame has one of the most realistic flames in the industry. When you get a fireplace, you will get all of the benefits that come with it. All MagikFlame units come with a touch screen that lights up in the dark so you don’t need to turn the light on to see it. You will also get a smartphone app to help you manage your unit even on the go. Every unit will also get free technology upgrades for life. You won’t have to pay for the upgrades- they are part of the initial purchase. When you are ready to move forward with an electric wall fireplace heater, talk to your home builder or interior designer about your options and your budget. You will upgrade the ambiance in your home with your electric fireplace heater more than any other addition you add to your home. Of course, you’ll get the best results when you choose a MagikFlame over a Simplifire or another competitor. You just need to make the difficult decision on the type of electric wall fireplace heater to purchase. You need to think about how difficult it will be to install and how it will look in your home. You don’t want to compromise, so wait until you find the perfect electric wall fireplace heater for you and your home. It’s all about being comfortable in your home, and this will definitely help.
