Should you invest in a low-cost electric fireplace?
Modern and practical, electric fireplaces are replacing conventional fireplaces in our homes. No more wood chores, soot, smoke and dust all over the house.
Widely democratized, they are available at all prices to suit all budgets. However, while choosing a low-cost electric fireplace may seem like a good choice at first glance, we advise you to think twice and not rush into anything.
What is an electric fireplace?
If you think an electric fireplace is a cold, cheap decorative element, it’s time for us to explain why you’re wrong. Because no, an electric fireplace doesn’t have to be a cheap gadget bought at the local farfouille.
A quality electric fireplace is first and foremost a real heater. Like a real fireplace, it brings gentle warmth and a cocooning atmosphere to your home. This is further enhanced by the visual effect created by the fake glowing logs and flames, which create the perfect illusion.
When it comes to design, there’s something for every taste: classic or modern, wrought iron or lacquered wood, white, black, colored… The models on the market are varied and fit in with any interior.
Depending on the configuration of your room, you can opt for a built-in fireplace (in the wall or in the hearth of a conventional fireplace) or a freestanding model. Some nomadic models can even be moved from room to room as you please.
In practical terms, you can expect to heat a room of between 10 and 30 m², depending on the heating capacity offered.
How does an electric fireplace work?
Quite simply, an electric fireplace is a simple convector dressed up in a structure that imitates a fireplace. The dummy logs (or sometimes coal or pebbles), whose embers are superbly reproduced, combined with LEDs that simulate a flame effect, give the whole a very realistic wood fire effect.
The quality of an electric fireplace is judged by its heating power, the design of its hearth and the aesthetic rendering of the logs and flames. Options such as a thermostat, programmer or blower provide additional benefits that set certain models apart from their competitors.
When it comes to electricity, it’s important to distinguish between consumption linked to strictly aesthetic aspects and that linked to heating. The flames and glow generated by LEDs, which consume very little electricity, consume no more than around ten watts. When it comes to heating, it’s the power consumption of the convector that needs to be taken into account. This is between 1000 and 2000 W for a quality heater.
What are the benefits?
Millions of already-convinced users will tell you: an electric fireplace is the charm of a wood fire without the drawbacks!
You’ll be able to enjoy long evenings by the fire, warmed by gentle heat and fascinated by the realistic spectacle of the dancing flames. But in the morning, you won’t have to get up to add more logs, or clean the hearth and vacuum up the dust.
From a safety point of view, the absence of a real flame considerably reduces the risk of burns.
Easy to use, easy to install, electric fireplaces have all the advantages of modern convection heaters, and add a touch of elegance and refinement to your home.
Should I choose an inexpensive electric fireplace?
If you’re looking for an inexpensive electric fireplace, you’ll easily find what you’re looking for in discount stores. However, don’t expect too much from such products, which won’t offer you either heating intensity and comfort, or exceptional design.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to invest in a top-of-the-range electric fireplace, we recommend you take a look at fireplaces from the Chemin’arte brand. Chemin’arte has its offices and manufacturing facilities in France. It offers a wide range of high-performance electric fireplaces. Whether you’re looking for a mobile, wall-mounted or built-in fireplace, you’re sure to find the model that’s right for you. Their fireplaces, in a variety of designs, all feature an electronic thermostat adjustable down to the degree, and are equipped with LED color technology that gives the flames an ultra-realistic effect. All Chemin’arte models offer adjustable heating power to suit the size of your room.
With a quality electric fireplace, you’ll enjoy the warm, friendly atmosphere of a real fireplace, minus the smoke and dust!
