Think You're Cut Out For Doing Stand Alone Fireplace Electric? Try This Quiz

A Stand Alone Fireplace Electric Can Give Your Room a Traditional Look The electric fireplace has an elegant design and can heat up to 1,000 square feet. It has a remote control and five brightness levels. It is CSA certified and comes with overload and overheat prevention. log effect electric fires freestanding fireplacesandstove.com utilizes radiant or infrared heat to heat objects and people, rather than circulating heated air. Its simple controls and two heating settings are attractive. Installation Many models of a stand-alone fireplace electric are designed to be hung on the wall with special mounting brackets. This is a great option if there is not much room in the fireplace area for a traditional fire or when other obstructions such as windows, built-in bookshelves or cabinets hinder you from installing an ordinary fireplace against a flat wall. Certain models can also be built-in to the wall. being 'built-in' to the wall, which could be a more appealing alternative if you're looking to give your room an old-fashioned appearance. To ensure safety, the fireplace needs to be at least three feet from combustible material. Before putting up your fireplace, be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions. If you are able, pick the location that is close to an electrical outlet and a level surface. Install the brackets with care to the wall. Use a spirit level gauge to verify that the wall is straight and level before screwing down the bottom brackets. Attach the front glass cover after the fireplace has been mounted. Install the stones that come with your model for flame and ember effects. Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. Connect the power cord to the electrical outlet, and then plug in the fireplace. If you decide to hardwire your fireplace before starting work, turn off the circuit breakers in your home and allow for up to 4 feet of service cable to go from the outlet to junction box on the insert. If you're not confident doing this, ask for the help of an electrician. Then, follow the instructions that came with your fireplace to wire it up and connect it to the wall. Some units may require additional equipment, such as an extension cord to connect the outlet for power. Based on the type of fireplace you have an electrician could be required to assist. After you've connected everything and turned the fireplace on, you'll be able to enjoy your new fireplace. Safety Electric fireplaces have a variety of safety features built into their design. For instance, many of them come with a timer that can be set to turn off the fireplace after a specific amount of time. This feature is particularly useful for those with children or pets at the house and don't want to be worried about them accidentally turning on the fireplace. Certain fireplaces come with an remote control that makes it easier to alter the settings without getting from the couch or chair. These fireplaces are safer than traditional wood-burning fire places, however they still require some attention and maintenance to ensure your family's safety. To reduce the risk of an accidental fire, it's important to keep combustibles away from the fireplace. It's also essential to ensure that the vents are open to allow for the proper flow of cool and hot air throughout your home. It's also recommended that you have your fireplace inspected regularly by a professional to ensure that any issues can be resolved before they become dangerous. Another method of increasing the safety of your electric fireplace is to use a surge protector with it. These devices are designed to protect your appliances from spikes in electricity and assist in preventing injury or property damage from occurring. These devices are available in many hardware stores and cost very little. They are a good investment to ensure the safety of your home. It is essential to keep your fireplace and any electrical appliances away from liquids, such as water. This will help to avoid any injuries or accidents like electrocution, which can occur if liquids are splashed onto them. To avoid hazards of tripping, keep electrical cords out-of-the-way and untangled. It's also a good idea to turn off the fireplace before you leave the home or go to bed. This can save you money on energy bills and prevent accidental fires while you are away. Simple to Use Contrary to gas fireplaces that require ventilation systems and chimneys electric fireplaces are more flexible with regards to the locations they can be placed. They are great for rooms without a fireplace and are suitable for older and modern homes. The flexibility of an electric fireplace allows you to easily control its settings, which can be done with an easy remote or the unit's touch-screen display. This can help you personalize the temperature, flame, and the ember's brightness to suit your preferences. Many models also have features like crackling sounds or fake smoke to enhance the look of the fire and make it look more realistic. Another benefit of electric fireplaces is that they typically require less maintenance than other fireplace options. Although inspections and repairs, cleaning and maintenance are still needed however, they can be performed at a lower frequency than with a gas or wood unit. These units can be utilized in any room of the house, including bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, since they only require an electrical outlet. You can pick between freestanding or wall-mounted electric fireplaces. Wall-mounted electric fireplaces can be placed either above or below the mantel. They tend to be smaller and appear more like an actual TV than a traditional fire place. Freestanding models tend to be larger, with some appearing almost like an actual fireplace with a mantel. The selection of an electric fireplace is based on whether it will be used as a source of heat or a decorative piece. Some models are able to create a cozy atmosphere without producing heat. If you're planning to purchase a model for heating, take a look at the BTUs it can produce. This is the amount of heat it can generate and should be enough to maintain the room at your desired temperature. Look for features like an alarm clock controlled by the remote that will turn off the device automatically after a specific amount of time or a sleep mode which will shut it off at a predetermined time. Energy Efficiency Energy efficiency is the ratio of heat created by an appliance to the amount of electricity it consumes. It also indicates how much of that electricity is lost in the process. Electric fireplaces are more efficient the more energy they consume. They're more efficient in converting electricity into heat. The best electric fire places are classified between 75 and 99% thermal efficiency. This means that for every 100 BTUs the unit produces, between 75 to 99 BTUs are used to warm your home. This is much more efficient than gas fireplaces, which generally have a thermal efficiency rating of only 80percent. Check for the ENERGY STAR logo to ensure you get the fireplace that is energy efficient. This means it meets strict efficiency standards established by the U.S. government. It's a good idea to look at a variety of models and brands prior to making a final decision. You can also add an adjustable thermostat to your home to regulate the temperature and save money. Electric fireplaces are available in a variety of styles, including wall-mounted and freestanding options. Some electric fireplaces come with remote controls as well as others that can be controlled using smartphones. You can choose from different flame settings and heat levels. Consider a low-heat option or an option that can be used even without the heater. This freestanding model comes with a classic design that works with all decors, and it's easy to use. You can adjust both the flame height and temperature, and dim the flames to create a warm glow. It is CSA-certified and has an overheat protection system, which shuts it down automatically if it gets too hot. In addition, it's affordable at just over $200. It's not as warm as some of the other electric fireplaces that we tested and can't be used with a fireback.