A Stand Alone Fireplace Electric Can Give Your Room a Traditional Look
This electric fireplace is constructed in a traditional design and can be able to heat up to 1,000 square feet rooms. It also comes with an adjustable remote and five brightness settings. It also has overheat and overload protection, and is CSA-certified.
It uses radiant, or infrared heating to warm objects and people rather than circulating warm air. We like its easy controls and two heat settings.
Installation
A variety of stand-alone electric fireplaces are designed to be hung on the wall with special mounting brackets. This can be a good option if you don't have much room in the fireplace area to accommodate an actual fire, or when other obstructions like windows, built-in bookshelves or cabinets make it difficult to build the standard fireplace on an unfinished wall. Certain models can be built-in to the wall. This is a great choice if you're seeking to give your space an older look. To ensure security, the fireplace should be at least three feet away from any combustible material.
Before hanging your fireplace, be sure to read the instructions of the manufacturer. If you can, select the location that is close to an electrical outlet and a level surface. The brackets should be secured to the wall. Make use of a spirit level gauge to make sure that the wall is straight and level before screwing in the bottom brackets.
Once the fireplace is mounted and the glass cover is attached, you can attach it to the front of the fireplace. Install the stones included with the model for flame and the ember effect. Follow the directions given by the manufacturer. Connect the power cord to an electrical outlet and plug in the fireplace.
If you're planning to wire your fireplace prior to starting work switch off the circuit breakers in your home and allow up to 4 feet of service cable to go from the outlet to junction box on the insert. If you're not comfortable doing this, enlist the help of an electrician.
Follow the instructions that came with the fireplace for how to install it on the wall and connect it to the electrical outlet. Certain fireplaces may require additional equipment, such as an extension cord to reach the power outlet. Depending on the type of fireplace you have, an electrician may be needed to assist. Once you've connected everything, and switched the fireplace on, you'll be able to enjoy your new fireplace.
Safety
Electric fireplaces are designed with a variety of safety features. For instance, the majority of these fireplaces have an alarm clock that can be set to turn off the fireplace after a specific amount of time. This feature is especially useful for people who have children or pets at the home and don't want to fret about them accidentally turning on the fireplace. Some fireplaces come with remote controls to make it easier to alter the settings without getting up off the couch or chair.
Although these fireplaces are more secure than traditional wood burning fire places they still require a bit of care and maintenance to ensure the security of your family and your friends. To minimize the chance of a fire, it's important to keep combustibles off from the fireplace. It's also important to ensure that the vents in your home are open to allow hot and cold air can flow freely. It is also important to have your fireplace checked regularly by a professional. This allows any issues to be dealt with before they become dangerous.
electric fires freestanding of increasing the security of your electric fireplace is to install a surge protector in conjunction with it. These devices are designed to shield your appliance from surges in electricity and help prevent injury or property damage from happening. These devices are available in the majority of hardware stores, and they cost very little. They are a great investment to ensure the security of your home.
In addition to keeping combustible material away from your fireplace, it's important to keep all electrical appliances including the fireplace, away from liquids and water. This will help avoid injuries or accidents like electrocution which can occur if these liquids are poured on them. To avoid accidents that could cause tripping keep electrical cords out of the way and free of knots. Finally, it's recommended to turn off the fireplace before going to go to bed or leaving the house. This can save you money on energy bills and keep fires from happening when you're away.
Ease of Use
Electric fireplaces are more flexible than gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces require ventilation systems as well as chimneys. Electric fireplaces can be put in any location. They are perfect for rooms with no existing fireplace and can work just as well in modern homes as in older traditional ones.
Electric fireplaces are a lot of fun and easy to use. You can control the settings using either a remote or touch-screen display. You can customize the flame brightness, temperature, and temperature of the embers according to your preference. Some models also come with features such as crackling sounds or fake smoke to enhance the appearance of the fire and make it look more realistic.
Electric fireplaces also require less maintenance than other fireplaces. While cleaning, inspections, and repairs might still be required however, they are usually done at much less frequent intervals than with a wood or gas fireplace. Additionally, since these units only need to be connected to an electrical outlet to operate they can be utilized in any room of the house such as kitchens, bedrooms or bathrooms.
You can select between wall-mounted or freestanding electric fireplaces. Wall-mounted electric fireplaces can be positioned either above or below the mantel. They are typically smaller and appear more like a TV than a traditional fire place. Freestanding models are generally larger, with some appearing similar to an actual fireplace with a mantel.
The choice of an electric fireplace is also based on whether it will be used as a source of warmth or a piece of art. Although most models are made to warm the entire room but there are others that can be used without generating any warmth, ideal for those who only desire the ambience of a fireplace.
If you're looking to purchase a product for heating, check the BTUs it can generate. This is the amount of heat it can produce and should be sufficient to maintain the room at the temperature you prefer. Look for features such as the ability to control a timer with a remote that will turn off the device automatically after a certain period of time or the sleep mode which will shut it off at a predetermined time.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is the ratio of heat produced by a device to how much electricity it uses. It also indicates how much electricity is wasted in the process.
Electric fireplaces are more efficient the more energy they consume. This is because they're more efficient at making electricity into heat.
The best electric fireplaces have 75 to 99% thermal efficiency meaning that for every 100 BTUs the unit puts out between 75 and 99 BTUs are used to heat your home. This is significantly more efficient than gas fireplaces, which typically have thermal efficiency ratings of just around 80%.
To ensure that you're getting a fireplace with high energy efficiency, look for an ENERGY STAR label. This label indicates that the fireplace meets strict efficiency standards established by the U.S. Government. Take a look at a variety of brands and models to make your final decision. You can also include a thermometer that can be programmed to your home in order to control the temperature and save money.
When shopping for an electric fireplace, you'll find a variety of styles that include wall-mounted and freestanding options. Certain fireplaces are equipped with remote controls and others can be controlled by smartphones. You can pick from various settings for the flame and heat levels. If you are looking to cut down on the expense of operating your fireplace, you should consider an option with a low-heat level or one that can be used without the heater on.
This freestanding model comes with an elegant style that is well-integrated with all decors, and it's easy to use. You can alter the flame's height and temperature and also lower the brightness of flames to create an ambient glow. It's CSA-certified for safety and has overheat protection, so it will shut off automatically if it becomes too hot. It's also affordable at just over $200. It's not as warm as other electric fireplaces we tested and it cannot be used with backfires.