Electric Fireplaces: A Brief Buying Guide

Anyone who lives in a region that experiences winter understands the importance of heating for a home. In times past, the major source of heating in a home was a fireplace with chimneys and the works. These days however, the world has evolved to the extent that people now have options to choose from.

One has the option of a gas, electric, ethanol or wood fireplace. Even people who already have an existing hearth in their homes can fit the fireplace with an insert to switch fuel sources. An insert is a fireplace without legs. It is designed in such a way that it can fit into an existing hearth.

So if you are thinking of changing your heat source but you already have a hearth, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If you are thinking about switching to electric, this article would provide a brief guide on what to look out for in an electric fireplace.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing an Electric Fireplace

There are certain things that need to be in place before you go shopping for an electricity powered fireplace. Additionally, there are factors that make a product a good fit for you. Below are some of these factors:-

Where You Would Position the Fireplace

The first thing to consider before choosing an electricity powered ingle is your living space. Where would you place the device? Fortunately, an electric ingle can be placed almost anywhere in a house.

Do you want it in your living room or bedroom? Who is your primary beneficiary of the heat? Answering these questions would help you determine where the device would be most useful.

Once you’ve decided on the room, the next issue is the spot in the chosen room. Note that the appliance has to be in a spot where the heat vents would not be blocked. It can be wall mounted, an insert or a stand-alone. The most popular option is usually the wall mounted because they tend to be space savers.

The Electrical Setup of your Space

Majority of the brands of these devices only require the regular power outlet in most homes. However, it is advised that the outlet be connected to a circuit breaker that’s dedicated to it alone.

Ensure that the room you want to place the ingle in has a power outlet that’s appropriate for it. This is mainly because the use of an extension cord is not advised. It is best to have an electrician check the space for suitability before choosing a product. Check this out for more info on circuit breakers and electrical sockets/outlets: https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/

Check out the Output of The Device

The expected heat output of a device is measured in British Thermal Unit(BTU). So the higher the BTU stated in a product description, the higher heat you expect from it. Consider the size of the space when you are checking out the BTU of the device. Majority of the ingles available produce about 5,000 BTU; this would comfortably heat up a 400 square foot space.

Usability

It goes without saying that an electric fireplace would rely on electricity to be powered. Therefore, no matter how much you prefer this electricity powered option, if you live in a region that experiences frequent power outage, you need to rethink your preference.

Would you mind being without heat in one of those power outages? We don’t think so! Therefore you may either choose to go with a gas option or wood; or you can have an electric ingle in addition to any of those options.

Design and Installation

There are myriads of designs to choose from and this can really get confusing. But on the other hand, it also gives you a wide variety such that you must have one that would fit into your home décor.

As you choose a design, also bear in mind that this would determine whether you need professional help for installation.  If you choose a free-standing design, all you need do is unbox and plug into an electric socket.

For most wall- mounted designs, you can actually mount them yourself. However, if you decide to go with an insert, you might need a professional to do the installation.

Desired Flame Effect

What flame effect do you want?  There are brands that have various color and flame settings and some that have limited options for customization. There are also brands whose unit have mirrors and LED lights that produce the flame effect while others have upped their game to using mirrors that rotate to produce exceptional flame effects.

Warranty

This is an important factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. You should lookout for only products that have solid warranty. Most brands would offer a minimum of 12 months warranty while some would go as high as 24 months. A warranty helps to give the buyer additional confidence in the product. Click here to learn more about the importance of a product warranty.

Conclusion

Now that you have seen the factors to consider, we believe that you can now confidently go shopping.  As you go shopping, ensure that you only consider reputable brands that have consistently put out premium quality products. Only then can you get the best value for your money.