How To Choose An Electric Fireplace For An Apartment, House Or Summer Cottage Correctly + Video

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

Electric fireplace in your home: choosing the right one

A real fireplace is a luxury not available to everyone. In some rooms, for example, apartments, you will not be allowed to establish fire safety standards and many other rules. In addition, it is an expensive design both to install and maintain. But sometimes you really want to give your home extra comfort! Electric fireplaces with the effect of live fire will help you with this. They are safe and practical. How to choose the right electric fireplace?

Features of electric fireplaces

Electric fireplaces are infrared directional electric heaters. The design of the device includes a housing made of wood, plastic or metal and a reflector with a heater placed in focus. The principle of heating is as follows: turning on the fireplace ensures that air is reflected from the inner walls, which creates a heating effect. Heat is directed forward without dissipating to the sides.

Many models of electric fireplaces easily fit into the interior of the room and do not take up space

The advantages of electric fireplaces are as follows:

• compactness and lightness (weight is about 50 kg);
• starts heating immediately and in the required amount;
• no chimney, pipes or ventilation are required, such a device does not emit carbon monoxide and carcinogenic compounds;
• the work of the electric fireplace is easily regulated by several heating modes;
• the built-in thermostat maintains a constant temperature in the room, eliminating excess energy consumption, thanks to the fan, heating is accelerated;
• fireproof, surfaces almost do not heat up, so there is no risk that you will get burned;
• can be placed anywhere with access to an outlet: in the middle of the room, close to the wall, etc.;
• aesthetic characteristics allow you to choose an electric fireplace to any interior.

Of course, this device has some disadvantages. For example, to connect it, you will need a separate power line, since the wiring may not withstand such a load and the machines will constantly knock out. In addition, you need to regularly ventilate the room in which the fireplace is located, because oxygen is burned during its operation.

Heating power

Most models of electric fireplaces are energy-saving, their power is no more than 2 kW. This is enough to effectively heat a room up to 20 square meters. A separate wiring line may not be required in this case.

But a decorative device that does not heat the room consumes from 100 to 200 watts.

Flame

The realism of the flame can have several levels, and this significantly affects the price

Fake coals or logs are made of colored glass or transparent painted plastic. Illumination lamps are built into them. Smoldering is provided by reflective screens. These budget models do not look very realistic, they only simulate smoldering, not full-fledged fire.

Often the fire in an electric fireplace is simulated using artificial logs.

In expensive models that simulate flames, the effect is provided by complex systems of reflective mirrors, foil strips or silk ribbons. This helps to achieve maximum realism.

Instrument classification

Before buying an electric fireplace, decide where it will be installed. There are several types of devices, and each of them has its own design features.

Floor

An outdoor device is the most democratic solution. It does not require from you any cladding work, nor the installation of a portal, frames and niches. The design is simple and mobile, it can be placed anywhere in the room at will.

Outdoor electric fireplaces are of two types:

• attached - they are placed close to the wall (frontal) or in the corner (corner);
• free-standing - can be placed anywhere.

Floor standing electric fireplaces are ideal for small spaces, in particular small apartments. In summer, you can remove the device so that it does not obstruct your movement.

Photo gallery of outdoor fireplaces

White electric fireplace

Black attached electric fireplace

Side fireplace

Attached electric fireplace

Triangular freestanding fireplace

Rectangular freestanding fireplace

Attachments

Such an electric fireplace is mounted directly on the wall or into it. Outwardly, it looks like a thin plasma TV. Its main distinguishing feature is its decorative effect. In addition to direct use (heating a small room), it can serve as a lighting device.

You can opt for this device if only the visual effect is important to you.

Photogallery of wall mounted electric fireplaces

Black wall-mounted electric fireplace in a light purple interior

Black wall-mounted electric fireplace in a room decorated in red and white

White wall-mounted electric fireplace in a bright room

White wall-mounted electric fireplace in the interior

Embedded devices

To install it, you should first prepare a niche in the wall or even make a portal that imitates a real fireplace. Suitable for this:

• metal;
• a rock;
• wood;
• ceramics;
• drywall.

Thanks to this design, you can create the illusion of a country house even in an apartment.

The built-in electric fireplace will require the installation of a portal, but it completely imitates a real hearth

A built-in fireplace, like a floor one, can serve not only for decorative purposes, but also for heating rooms. The main condition: the thickness of the walls of the fireplace portal should be at least 30 cm. For small apartments, this may not be a suitable option.

Rules for choosing a fireplace for different rooms

In order for the electric fireplace to develop its maximum efficiency, it is very important to install it correctly. In this case, the purpose and type of premises should be taken into account, that is, where it will be located - in a house, apartment or in the country.

So, in a private house, a heating system is provided (stove, gas heating, etc.), so the heating functions of an electric fireplace are optional. You can easily get by with decorative models to decorate living rooms with them. Don't forget to consider the size of the room.

For example, in the living room, it is better to place an electric fireplace near a wall perpendicular to the windows. It is an ideal location from both an engineering and design point of view. In a large room, a built-in device will look good, for which a niche or portal is required. Whereas for a small room, a wall-mounted one is better suited, which, unlike a floor one, will not take up space and will not interfere underfoot.

Choose a model of an electric fireplace depending on the size of the room and its purpose

Is it worth taking care of the choice of an electric fireplace for a summer residence? Of course it is worth it, especially if you use it for frequent residence, and not only during the gardening season. In a large country house with spacious rooms, you can install an electric fireplace that completely imitates the hearth both visually and technically. However, the ideal would be a floor device that can be placed anywhere in the room, transferred to the terrace or taken with you when you have to leave the cottage for the winter.

Video review of electric fireplaces

A properly selected electric fireplace will help you transform your home and make it cozy. We hope our tips will help you make the right choice. Let us know in the comments what you think of these convenient and practical devices. Good luck to you!