Limitations of an Electric Fireplace | Why You Should Have a Gas or Wood-Burning Unit
Fireplaces are a popular way for homeowners to improve the interior of their living and family rooms, bringing a sense of comfort and ambiance to the indoor space. Today, fireplaces still often act as a supplement to home heating systems and most of today’s modern designs provide more energy-efficient alternatives for that additional warmth to traditional systems.
The most common fireplaces used by homeowners are wood-burning, gas burning and electrical. Although all three offer distinct advantages, each one also has limitations. Here we explore the limitations of electric fireplaces and why a gas fireplace or wood burning fireplace are often a better choice.
Electric Fireplace Limitations
Electric fireplaces are usually chosen for their convenience. While it is considered a better option over the investment some gas or wood-burning fireplaces could require, electric fireplaces do have distinct limitations compared to their gas and wood-burning counterparts.?
Produces Less Heat
While most electric fireplaces are aesthetically pleasing, they offer very little heat output. Keeping a room well heated is one of the many benefits of a fireplace and electric fireplaces are not typically an ideal choice to get the job done - especially for larger rooms. In most cases, electric fireplaces produce as much heat as you could expect from a small space heater and are usually recommended for smaller spaces if primary heating is the objective. If you want to keep your home warm without racking up costly monthly bills from your primary heating source, the gas and wood-burning alternatives are encouraged.
Are Electric Fireplaces Energy-Efficient?
Although electric fireplaces are inexpensive to buy and install compared to wood-burning or gas-burning fireplaces, most of them are used by homeowners for interior design purposes and offer little in the way of energy-efficient heating.
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Even higher-end electric fireplaces designed to operate on 240-volt outlets only generate enough heat to keep a 1,000 square foot space comfortably warm. If you live in a small apartment or condo, an electric fireplace may add to the aesthetics of the space. However, most heating systems in apartments and condos are electrical, so adding an electric fireplace as a heating alternative will only add to your energy costs.
Are Electric Fireplaces Aesthetically Pleasing?
Although some electric fireplaces available today offer sleek designs and smart features, they don't truly capture the essence of a wood-burning fireplace. There is no comforting sound of crackling wood or the cozy ambiance of an authentic flame to generate natural warmth and the look is less authentic. Even with the modern designs and advanced features offered today, many homeowners look for the smell of real woodsmoke, and electric fireplaces do not replicate the scent of real wood burning. If the outdoorsy feel of a natural fire is what you are looking for, wood burning fireplaces are recommended.?
Why You Should Choose a Wood-Burning or Gas Fireplace
There are many different reasons for the type of fireplaces homeowners are looking to install in their homes and these reasons matter in picking the right unit. There is a preference for wood-burning or gas fireplaces as they generate more heat, capture the ambiance of glowing logs and require little to no energy-producing sources to generate said heat, as opposed to an electric fireplace.?
Wood-burning fireplaces are sometimes more challenging to maintain than their gas-burning counterparts, but many people are willing to forgo this minor inconvenience for the warm, homey feeling offered by a wood-burning fireplace.
?For those who still want the quiet glow of dancing flames without taking on the maintenance needs of a wood-burning fireplace, a gas-burning fireplace is a great option. Most gas-burning fireplaces available today deliver the appearance of a real flame, and many of the current design and style options offer the elegant look of an old-style fireplace. Electric fireplaces are sleek and technical and give off an aesthetic of modern living. If the unit is more for look than efficient heating, electric fireplaces are the answer.