Electric Fireplaces

Winter is the time of year you might be thinking about augmenting your central heating system with an electric fireplace or space heater. Not only will a small electric fireplace keep your room extra warm and cozy, it can serve as both a beautiful design element and a useful piece of furniture. As you search for the best electric fireplace for you, think about what rooms you want to heat, your available space and your budget.

Many people opt to buy an electric fireplace and mantel to create the look of an authentic wood-burning fireplace. The mantel creates a space to hang your stockings at Christmastime or to showcase your unique art and photos. Those who live in a smaller home may opt for a wall-mounted electric fireplace to deliver both warmth and ambiance without taking up as much space as a piece of furniture. If you want to combine the aesthetics of a fireplace with your home entertainment system, consider a fireplace TV stand, which can hold the weight of a large flat-screen smart TV and other components while it provides a view of a crackling (simulated) fire below. If you have an existing but non-functional wood-burning fireplace, you can purchase an electric fireplace insert to recreate the look and feel of a fire while keeping you and your family safe.

Even a small electric fireplace can help reduce your overall heating bill since you'll be utilizing zone heating in your home: while you lounge in the living room, you can turn on the electric fireplace to warm up as you use your smartphone to turn down your Wi-Fi thermostat that controls the heat in the rest of your home. When you move to another room or go to bed, you can adjust your whole-home heating once again. Some electric fireplaces offer infrared heating, which creates a precise beam of heat that warms you more quickly than ordinary heaters. Both conventional and infrared fireplaces are available in many brand names, including Real Flame electric fireplaces, which are made in the USA.

Most electric fireplaces come with a remote that adjusts the flame and controls the amount of heat, so make sure you have plenty of household batteries on hand to keep it operating. Most electric fireplace models can be operated with heat or without heat, so you can enjoy the relaxing sight of a crackling fireplace, even in the summer, without heating up your home.