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Electric fireplaces are growing in popularity amongst homeowners. Does that mean one is right for you? Let’s take a look at the benefits (don’t worry, we’ll hit on the cons too):

They are great for people who want to add the warmth and style of a fireplace without building a permanent unit (whether wood-burning or gas), which includes the labor and cost of installing a chimney or venting to the outside. Because the electric units are not actually burning anything (they only simulate flames), they do not steal CO2 or vent potentially toxic fumes. With an electric fireplace, you simply plug the unit into a standard 120-volt outlet and flip the switch.

These units can be built into a fireplace surround with mantel and the whole works or they can simply stand against a wall, a scenario that means no tools are required for installation. Many electric fireplaces come with surrounds and mantels to give them a realistic look with no effort. This simplicity and ease is what attracts many homeowners to these appliances. Also, they can be installed in places traditional fireplaces or wood-burning stoves cannot. For example, it’s no problem putting an electric fireplace into a trailer or a high-rise condominium.

Ok, let’s talk about the cons of electric fireplaces, lest I start to sound like a smarmy sales person. For one thing, these fireplaces are basically just glorified space heaters. If all you want is warmth, and you don’t mind paying an electricity bill to get it, you could buy a simple heater for much less. The reason people buy electric fireplaces is more for the ambiance and the focal point they can create in a room. They do certainly work as heaters though. Most new models come with a built-in thermostat, so that when the room reaches the desired temperature, the heater automatically flips off.

One con of these fireplaces is that they have a bad reputation in that they do not look realistic. After all, nothing is

Electrical Fireplaces Are Growing In Popularity