Fireplace inserts are increasing in sales because of how convenient they are to use and the cozy touch they offer to different types of homes. There are many options available in the industry when it comes to shopping around for a fireplace that you can rely on to stay warm for many years to come. You may be wondering where to buy electric fireplace inserts as you get started looking around in search of the best electric fireplace.
In this post, you will learn:
- Where to Buy Electric Fireplace Inserts?
- How to Narrow Down Your Options
- Benefits of Owning a New Electric Fireplace
- How to Style Your Electric Fireplace
- Various Types of Electric Fireplaces Available
- Steps to Installing the Fireplace
Once you decide you want to invest in an electric fireplace, it can be exciting to discover the different options available in the industry to find the perfect product for your interior setting. Whether you want something that fits in an existing fireplace or an item that has a variety of flame effects, there are many options available to ensure you can be specific about what you want and need.
Electric fireplace inserts are available at different types of stores in the local area, mainly home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot. You can get a firsthand look at the different options available to discover what will be the most accommodating for your office, living room, or master bedroom.
Many consumers will also find it to be more convenient to shop online as they consider which fireplace models stand out to them. There are many websites like Amazon where the fireplace inserts are easy to find and include multiple photos and thorough descriptions. You can even read online reviews on many of the websites to get insight into the experience other customers have had using each fireplace model. MagikFlame reviews are easy to find on many websites and can allow you to take your time researching the pros and cons of each product. You can even have more options available rather than traveling to different stores in person.
One of the best places to purchase your new fireplace is on the manufactures’ website, which will allow you to verify the authenticity of the product. The manufacturer can provide you with plenty of details and can even have live agents available to answer any questions you may have before making your purchase.
After you discover where to buy electric fireplace inserts it can allow you to have confidence in your selection to ensure you make the right investment. If you choose to order it online, you can look forward to having it delivered directly to your doorstep for added convenience without finding a way to transport it from a local store.
How to Narrow Down Your Options
It takes a bit of homework and research to determine which fireplace models are available when making your final selection. You may not be sure what type of fireplace is the most reputable and has the best features. Fortunately, there are a few ways to get started with your search to find the best fit.
Start by considering the top brands and manufacturers that are available to research what they have available. The most reputable fireplace brands in the industry include ClassicFlame, MagikFlame, Dimplex, and Duraflame.
Check out which brands have had a long history in the industry to find manufacturers that have developed a loyal customer base. You can also look into their background and their manufacturing process when you’re looking for something with a solid build and a reliable operation. Brands that have more models available can allow you to have a better selection.
The MagikFlame story is one of the most unique among the top manufacturers because it shows how the company was birthed out of one man’s interest in finding an electric fireplace with realistic effects. Howard Birnbaum, an entrepreneur, wanted something that looked like a traditional log fireplace for his home but couldn’t find anything with advanced technology or a detailed flame effect. With a background in f/x special effects, he became the inventor of holographic technology. The technology uses a screen behind the log set to display faux flames with embers and smoke. Because the technology is patented, other brands don’t offer the same effects with their fireplaces.
How Magikflame is built is just as interesting as its story. The brand has a skilled team of technicians who assemble all the 28” insert parts in Nashville, Tennessee. You can have confidence in the quality of the product because nothing is imported for the USA-made modern electric fireplace inserts. This also makes it easier to find specific parts if repairs are ever needed in the coming years. Replacing internal components is easier if the fireplace insert is made in the U.S. rather than overseas.
You should also keep your budget in mind when shopping for the fireplace to determine what you can afford. ClassicFlame, MagikFlame, and even Touchstone all have different price points, depending on the quality of materials they use and the technology they incorporate to create the most realistic look. Although it can be convenient to choose the cheapest fireplace in the industry, it can have a shorter lifespan if it’s made in another country or has cheaper materials. Find something with a competitive price that is still fair and doesn’t seem too good to be true. The company should offer many payment plans and financing options to accommodate different types of budgets. It’s also a good idea to look into a warranty that comes with the product. Most brands offer a manufacturer’s guarantee for up to one year. You can also pay for an extended warranty to get more coverage if repairs are ever needed.
Browsing through a buying guide can also allow you to find something with specific features on Amazon or other websites. You can look at the BTUs, safety features, and dimensions to determine if it’s the right fit for your living space. Take notes to ensure you can compare each model before making your purchase.
Benefits of Owning a New Electric Fireplace
An electric fireplace insert can offer a high level of accommodation and convenience to the modern consumer. Those who don’t want to spend a lot of time maintaining their fireplace to keep it running well will enjoy the simple design of the product. Electric fireplaces are favored because they don’t need to be cleaned frequently. There aren’t any ashes to sweep up like a wood-burning fireplace because it doesn’t burn a real wood log set in the firebox and relies on a blower. The electric fireplace insert also doesn’t emit any creosote, which means you don’t have to schedule a chimney sweep every year.
The low cost of an electric fireplace insert is another reason to love this type of fireplace. It costs less to run compared to other options and is only three to eight cents an hour to operate, depending on if you also use the heating element that is built into the product. Gas fireplaces are up to 40 cents per hour to use, and wood fireplaces require spending money on wood every time you want to enjoy a fire. The supplemental heat can reduce your reliance on your central heating system and allow you to save more on your energy bill each month with the energy-efficient product. You can also adjust the built-in thermostat on the device to ensure you can decide how much warmth you want it to emit.
With an electric fireplace, there’s no need to spend extra money on a fireplace screen because embers won’t jump out of the fireplace. You also don’t have to pay for fireplace tools because real fire is never used, and you don’t have to clean out the interior.
More homeowners are looking for ways to create a greener setting where they can use less energy, which has also caused electric fireplace sales to soar in recent years. They don’t use a lot of energy, allowing you to reduce your carbon footprint without compromising your comfort and warmth in the building. An electric fireplace insert can even be installed in a fireplace that is built into your home if you want to convert it into something more energy-efficient compared to gas inserts that use propane.
The feature is also ideal to use year-round because you can turn the infrared heater off when you don’t want more heat in the space during the spring or summer months. You can leave the fireplace on to enjoy the look of the flames, which will create a cozy ambiance each season. You can get more use out of it compared to a traditionally built fireplace that always emits heat when it’s in use.
Electric fireplace inserts are also easy to operate and come with a remote control to adjust the settings without having to get up and use the control panel on the unit. The buttons and switches are easy to read and even include built-in timers to ensure the unit automatically turns off after a few hours.
Many people also find their electric fireplace insert to be safe to use, which reduces the risk of accidents that can occur. Electric fireplaces don’t emit any smoke, which means you can protect the air quality in your house without breaking in contaminants or particles that are released with a wood fireplace. This makes the fireplace the best option for adults or children who suffer from respiratory or general health issues. You also don’t have to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning or chimney fires. The glass door also doesn’t get hot because the flame technology doesn’t use real fire. You don’t have to be concerned about your children or pets burning themselves if they accidentally have contact with the wall-mounted electric fireplace as it’s running.
There is also no accessibility to the internal heating components for increased safety and peace of mind.
Some brands like Duraflame even include overheating protection to ensure it immediately shuts off and doesn’t cause a fire. This prevents potential issues from occurring compared to using a gas fireplace that doesn’t come with as advanced features.
How to Style Your Electric Fireplace
Styling your electric fireplace is a great way to make it unique and specific to your taste with how you like your interior design to look. There are many ways to enhance the way it looks in your home, whether you choose to place an electric fireplace in your bedroom or living room.
If you want a freestanding fireplace, there are many ways to put decor pieces on display to draw more attention to the feature. Make use of the fireplace mantel, which can work as a shelf for displaying a framed work of art or a family portrait. The mantel is also ideal for displaying a small bouquet of flowers, candlestick holders, and awards. Avoid placing too many items on the mantel, which can cause it to look cluttered.
Items can also be placed at the bottom of the fireplace to add a decorative touch that is cozy and inviting. A small accent chair or stool will pair well with the feature. A pouf can also look trendy and can offer an extra place to sit. Because the embers don’t jump out of the firebox, you don’t have to worry about the items catching on fire.
You can also consider building a surround for your electric fireplace insert to make it stand out and look eye-catching. If you want to create a shiplap look for a rustic or farmhouse style, opt for using laminate boards and painting them white. Scuff up the paint to make it look worn, which will offer added character to the fireplace.
If you don’t already have a mantel, install the shelf 12 inches above the fireplace opening to make it look like it’s part of the electric fireplace. You can paint or stain it to make it blend in with the surrounding environment and the other furniture pieces in the room.
Various Types of Electric Fireplaces Available
There are a variety of types of electric fireplaces available when you want something more versatile than a traditional fireplace. A wall-mount electric fireplace is easy to install in minutes and can add a sleek touch to your home or office. A wall-mounted electric fireplace has a modern look that is easy to place on any type of wall after finding the studs. Many of the fireplaces even include a glitzy and glamorous ember bed that is luxurious and features faux crystals to create an upscale style in the house. This creates a more chic design instead of opting for a fireplace log.
If you want to have the feature sit flush with the wall, opt for an electric fireplace insert that you can install in a cavity in the wall. The recessed design will keep it out of the way and will prevent it from taking up extra space.
Different types of technology are also used to create the flame effect in each electric fireplace insert. Some companies like Dimplex and ClassicFlame use water or mist to make it look like real flames are present in the firebox in their deluxe models. The water is tinted orange, and the reservoir needs to be refilled in-between uses to create the look of the flames. The Dimplex model even offers instant warmth with authentic smoke effects with a flick of a switch without specialist installation.
Many ClassicFlame and Duraflame electric fireplace inserts also include infrared quartz for increased warmth for those who live in cold climates or have a lack of insulation in the building.
Steps to Installing the Fireplace
Installing an electric fireplace is much easier and quicker than building a traditional fireplace in the building. It’s an easy DIY project that won’t require getting assistance from an electrician.
Most electric fireplaces have a convenient plug-in design, allowing you to insert the electrical cord into a standard 120-volt outlet and immediately start using it.
You also have the freedom of installing the insert into a fireplace that is already in place if you no longer want to burn wood to get warm. The insert should be easy to shimmy into the firebox before plugging it into an outlet on the surround or inside the firebox. You can also use a trim kit for a better fit to keep the insert secure in the masonry fireplace.
Some types of inserts that are built into the walls require minor hardwiring, but it is often easy for an electrician to do. You don’t have to worry about obtaining any permits through the city or installing extra features like venting, a gas line, or a chimney. This lowers the cost and avoids any hassle to ensure you can have it set up the same day you take it out of the box.
The lightweight design of the insert also makes it easy for one person to lift it without needing help from another person. You can even move it around to another spot in the house if you prefer to use it in another room. The portable design not only makes the installation process easier but offers accommodation to renters who don’t plan to live long-term in their current residence. They have the freedom of taking the fireplace with them to their next property. They can still enjoy having a fireplace with a realistic flame effect with a good amount of heat output without making any modifications to the rental property. The plug-in design makes it easy to disconnect and relocate when it’s time for a change.
Do Electric Fireplaces Emit a Lot of Heat?
One of the draws of an electric fireplace insert is it emits enough heat to keep the entire room warm. The fireplace heater also delivers zone heating to prevent the rest of the house from getting too warm, which can prevent the house from using more energy than necessary.
You’ll need to select the right BTU for the size of the room you plan to install the feature in to ensure it’s powerful enough to evenly distribute enough heat. Start by calculating the number of square feet you have in the space and multiply it by 20 to get an accurate number. The amount of insulation in your home, as well as your climate, also influences if you need more or less BTU. Large rooms with 1,000 sq. ft. need an electric log insert with an average of 18,000 BTU. Smaller rooms with 400 square feet need an electric log set with an average of 10,000 BTUs.
The fireplaces are known to work quicker with heating the space and start to create a warm setting minutes after turning them on in the room. You can immediately start to feel warmer instead of waiting for 30 minutes for the temperature to start to increase.
The lack of heat loss is another reason why electric fireplace inserts are known to keep interior settings warm in freezing temperatures. Wood fireplaces lose an average of 80 percent of the heat they produce, which escapes through the chimney. Gas fireplaces lose up to 40 percent of their heat and can make it harder to maintain the temperature in the building. An electric firebox uses 100 percent of the energy that is produced after you turn it on, which not only allows you to conserve more energy but also keeps the room warmer for a longer period of time.
Understanding where to buy electric fireplace inserts can allow you to make the right selection and have peace of mind about the reliability of your new product when you want to own the best electric fireplace. You can enjoy getting plenty of use out of the fireplace throughout the year as you incorporate more heat into the building and enjoy the stunning flame effect.
