5 Things to Consider Before You Buy a Residential Electric Fire

There are few things cozier than a fireplace on a cold night, which is why many Australian residents include them in home building plans. Crackling wood fires have long been a staple in the country. However, many residents are now converting wood fireplaces to electric fires. It is better for the environment and eliminates the problem of buying and storing wood. If you are interested in switching to an electric heat source, it is wise to do some research and find out it if meets your needs. At a minimum, you will want to ask your dealer 5 basic questions that will give you an idea of what to expect.

1. What Are Some Differences Between an Electric Fire and Wood-Burning Fireplaces?

The most obvious difference between a wood-burning fireplace and an electric fire is the heat source. A traditional fireplace burns nearly anything combustible, while an electric appliance needs to be plugged into a power source. Wood-burning fireplaces require more maintenance and produce soot that needs to be removed on a regular basis. Fireplaces can also create fumes. In contrast, electric fires are easy for anyone to use, create no residue, and can simply be turned off when not in use. There is nothing to clean up. If you want to compare even more options, you can find gas fireplaces in a variety of styles.

2. Will You Need a Vent?

An electric fire does not require a chimney, flue, or vent because it does not create real fire or smoke. That not only makes them easy to maintain, it reduces the cost of installation. In fact, an article in Business Insider lists an electric fire as one of the most affordable home upgrades.

3. Do Electric Fires Include Flames?

Although an electric fire does not produce an actual flame, it does create an amazingly realistic artificial version. Each appliance includes LED lights and mirror elements that reflect the light. The lights use little energy and last about 50,000 hours.

4. How Much Warmth Can You Expect?

If you are wondering whether an electric fire can actually keep you warm, the short answer is yes. However, the amount of heat produced depends on the size of the appliance. According to The Home Source, an average appliance runs at 120 volts, 1500 watts, 12.5 amps. To figure out the amount of heat it would provide, just divide the watts by 10. That means an average heater warms about 13.9355 square meters (150 square feet). There are larger units that will heat 41.8064 square meters (450 square feet). As a bonus, you can also turn off the heat on warmer nights and just enjoy the flame effects.

5. Does an Electric Fire Require a Lot of Space?

Electric heaters do not use a lot of space but still heat entire rooms. As a result, they are ideal for zone heating. Many customers buy them so they can reduce their electric bills by only warming the areas they need. You can place an appliance strategically in any area to keep it toasty while using a minimal amount of power.

An electric fire is a good home heating choice if you are considering replacing a wood-burning fireplace. Electric fires do not need chimneys or vents, produce no residue, and have realistic looking flames. They are affordable, convenient, and are sold in a variety of sizes.