Electric fireplaces are an efficient alternative to traditional fireplaces powered by wood or gas. They emit radiant heat and use lights to simulate flickering flames, providing the feel of an open fire without the hazards or the fuss.
There are several benefits to choosing an electric fireplace:
Electric fireplaces need no solids, liquids or gases to provide heat and light. Cool air from the room is pulled into the fireplace, where a heating coil warms it and a fan blows it back into the room. They plug into standard 120-volt wall sockets and use electricity to create infrared heat that warms people and objects, not the surrounding air in the room.
They’re not real open flames, of course, but the illusion of a flickering fire. The technology used by most electric fireplaces involves a motorized mechanism that reflects colored LED lights off mirrored glass and metal surfaces to make the flames appear real.
You can put one anywhere within reach of a power outlet. Electric fireplaces are completely self-contained, so they can go on floors and walls in bedrooms, bathrooms, cabins, recreational vehicles and more. You might even want to put yours inside your existing fireplace.
There are a few different styles to consider:
[ Life Plus Electric Fireplace Heater for Small Spaces ]
This plastic portable fireplace heater is 15 inches wide and 17 inches tall. The 3D effect produces realistic-looking dancing flames and the automatic shut-off prevents potential accidents.
[ Duraflame 3D Black Curved Front Infrared Electric Fireplace with Remote Control ]
This 22-inch-wide metal fireplace creates flames that dance at five brightness levels on and behind the logs. The wire mesh front door and side panels are designed so you can view the flames from three sides.
[ Ameriwood Home Overland Electric Corner Fireplace ]
This 94-pound particle-board corner cabinet with a 23-inch metal fireplace inside is ideal for creating a cozy corner nook in a living room or bedroom. You can operate it with the touch panel or the remote control.
[ R.W. Flame Freestanding Electric Fireplace with Wooden Mantel and Surround ]
This 43-inch-wide wooden surround contains a 20-inch-wide fireplace insert. The 72-pound unit is stable enough to place things like photos, candles and knickknacks on the mantel.
[ Turbro in Flames 23-Inch Recessed Wall Mount Electric Fireplace ]
You have a choice of seven colors of dancing flames. This fireplace offers 5,120 British thermal units to supplement the heat in rooms from 400-1,000 square feet, and the infrared heat will not dry out the air or your skin.
[ Antarctic Star 60-Inch in-Wall Recessed Electric Fireplace ]
You can mount this wide, thin fireplace with drywall screws or recess it into the wall. Either way, you get 12 flame colors and flashing effects for realistic-looking flames. It comes with a timer and a sleep mode that shuts off automatically.
[ Mystflame 88-Inch Slim Electric Fireplace ]
This wide-screen fireplace can be mounted in or on a wall at your choice of viewing heights. The screen is surrounded by an ultra-narrow bezel that does not distract from the more than 7 feet of flames that adjust for color and brightness.
[ Touchstone Forte 40-Inch Wide Electric Fireplace ]
This fireplace is made to be recessed in a wall and mounted on studs. Inside are fire logs and crystals. It has a remote control and can be used with or without heat.
[ Costway 28.5-Inch Electric Fireplace Insert ]
You use the remote control or the touchscreen to adjust the flames in this glass and metal fireplace to your choice of three colors and five brightness settings. This insert can be recessed in a wall, installed in a cabinet or set atop a TV stand.
[ Comfort Smart Fire Crackler Sound System ]
You can add some real pizzazz to your electric fireplace with this 9- by 12-inch audio device. It weighs less than 3 ounces and uses AAA batteries to simulate the cracking and popping sounds of a real fire at any of three volume settings.
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David Allan Van writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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