An electric fireplace is a great way to add warmth and ambiance to any room in your house. They can also help you save money on your heating bill, which is a win-win situation for everyone! But what’s inside an electric fireplace? How does it work? And how do I get the most out of my new purchase? In this blog post we will answer all of these questions and more.
An electric fireplace is a great addition to any home, but before you buy one you might be wondering what goes into it. There are actually many components that make up an electric fireplace and we’ve outlined them below:
Fireplace mantel
The front of the fireplace which houses all of the electronics and other parts needed to create the illusion of a live fire.
Fireplace surround
The exterior of the fireplace, which is typically made out of wood or stone. This provides a frame for your firebox and holds up all of the other components inside it.
Thermostat control panel
Sometimes also called an “on/off” switch, this allows you to turn on/off your electric fireplace with ease. It usually has one knob that lets you choose from either “high heat” or “low heat” modes.
Heating element tube(s) / heating elements
These are what provide the artificial flames in most modern day electric fireplaces. They can be changed depending on how high you want them set (i.e., do they go to the top of your firebox, or do they only go halfway up?)
Fireproof brick lining (fire bricks)
This provides insulation and protection to all of the components inside. It also prevents them from overheating which could cause a fire hazard.
Remote control receiver/transmitter(s)
This allows you to change settings on your fireplace with ease – no more getting out of bed! Some receivers are actually built into the wall so that there is no need for an extra remote control lying around. In addition, this can be used as a signal repeater if other remotes in your home don’t have full range capabilities – just place it next to one that does not work well and let it do the work for you!
Electrical outlet(s) and wiring
This supplies power to all of the components inside your firebox. It usually has a plug that sits on its exterior, but some models require an electrician to install it properly (more expensive). This is where you’ll need to make sure there is enough room to fit this into your fireplace surround or mantel – if not then we recommend upgrading your model with one that does have space for electrical installation. If you plan to use artificial logs in your fireplace, keep in mind how much heat they generate will be added onto any existing heat output from surrounding parts like heating elements and bricks – meaning these areas might get warmer than usual so always monitor them closely once logs are in place.
Firebox
A hollowed out area where flames come from inside the fireplace. The size of this varies depending on the model you buy, but it will always have enough space for your heating elements and brick lining.
Flue/chimney
This is where smoke comes out at after exiting through your fireplace surround or mantel. It usually has a vent built into it so that fumes can escape outside above ground level (check local bylaws to be sure). For models with electric logs only, there is no need for an actual chimney as all gases are vented directly up through the firebox itself (this also means these gas vents should never be blocked off because they’re necessary in order to maintain proper ventilation). If there is any question about how much room you do or don’t have around your fireplace to fit in all of these components, always check with the manufacturer.
Heat exchanger
Ensures that heat is distributed evenly around the room, not just directly in front of your new appliance.
The heat exchanger is important for many reasons. First, it ensures that the heat won’t be too concentrated (and potentially warm) directly in front of your fireplace. When you step away from this area and into other parts of the room, there should always be a safe temperature to enjoy without burning yourself or others around you! Second, it can increase efficiency by distributing warmth elsewhere instead of just right before where people are sitting (you might not even need to turn on heating elements if enough hot air has already been distributed!)
While some do come with one pre-installed, most will require professional installation which may cost extra depending on what type(s) you get – check product descriptions carefully before ordering so that everything is clear.
Filters
These help to remove dust and other particles from the air that would otherwise be circulated into your room if their absence was left unchecked. Unfortunately, they also need to occasionally be replaced which can become costly depending on how often you use it – a good reason why proper ventilation is necessary! The cost of replacement filters vary greatly by brand so always check before purchasing one for yourself (sometimes not all brands carry them). There are usually multiple types available as well based on what type of heating elements or logs you have in place – this will affect how much airflow gets pushed through the system at any given time which has an impact on heat distribution around your home too.
Fireplace Surrounds/Mantels
This is the part of your fireplace where logs will sit and provide a nice, warm glow. They can come in many different shapes and sizes but these are usually built with either stone or glass which means they require professional installation – again check product descriptions before ordering if you want to save yourself some money on this!
And lastly, don’t forget about ventilation too as it plays an important role in maintaining safe temperatures inside your home no matter what type of heating elements or logs you have going directly inside your firebox. A good rule of thumb for any type is that there should always be enough room around the heat exchanger so that all hot gases from burning fuel escape outside instead of being recirculated back into other parts of the room.
Fan heater
Keeps air circulating for maximum comfort levels without having to worry about drafts or cold spots.
Most electric fireplaces have a separate fan heater installed within them which is used to circulate warm air around the room without having to worry about any drafts or cold spots. It works much like an AC unit does for hot summer days, but it’s completely silent and extremely safe! The amount of heat that can be produced by these units varies depending on what type you get (smaller fans are more efficient than larger ones) so always check product descriptions first before making your final purchase. You also don’t want to set up anything too close as this could potentially interfere with how well everything runs – make sure there’s at least one foot between each appliance when setting things up initially! For models where the heat exchanger is built right into the logs, there should be enough clearance for this to work properly.
For all models with an external heat exchanger, it’s important that you maintain proper ventilation so as not to interfere with how everything works inside your firebox. A good rule of thumb for any type is that if someone were standing directly in front of where the unit was going, they shouldn’t feel excessively warm air being pushed out – otherwise too much hot air could end up getting re-circulated back into other parts of the room which isn’t safe! There are a few different types available based on what kind(s) of heating elements or logs you have installed including:
Flexible Ducts
These are ideal for logs with an integrated heat exchanger built right into the design (you shouldn’t use them on models where there is a separate one). They tend to be cheaper than most options, but they aren’t as efficient. This means that more air will have to pass through before being pushed out of vents located at the front of your firebox which leads directly back inside – not what you want! A good rule of thumb when looking for this type is that if it feels excessively hot standing in front then something needs to change because too much warm air could end up getting recirculated instead.
Duct Connectors
When using duct connectors, make sure you never install anything too close to your fireplace as this could interfere with how well everything runs. The best place for them is around a foot away from the front of where the unit will be located which should provide enough clearance so that hot air can escape outside instead of being recirculated back into other parts of the room.
These are much more efficient than flex ducts because they have a larger surface area and push out heated air in a larger radius too which means less energy has to pass through before it ends up getting pushed all over your home! They also tend to cost more but you definitely get what you pay for here since efficiency directly impacts heating costs – if you’re trying to save money then make sure whatever option you choose isn’t putting anyone at risk by recirculating hot air.
These are the most expensive and highest quality type of heating element you can get which tends to be used on high end model designs – flexible ducts don’t work very well with these types because they aren’t designed for them so it would end up causing a safety hazard if someone were walking around your fireplace or standing too close when in use! These come pre-built into all models that have external heat exchangers built right into their designs while others need to be purchased separately but will usually include everything needed to install them without any additional parts required. This is one option where cost definitely reflects what kind of quality level buyers should expect since having something like this installed potentially interfere with how well your fireplace runs is just asking for trouble!
These come pre-built into all models that have external heat exchangers built right into their designs while others need to be purchased separately but will usually include everything needed to install them without any additional parts required. This is one option where cost definitely reflects what kind of quality level buyers should expect since having something like this installed potentially interfere with how well your fireplace runs is just asking for trouble!
Having an electric fireplace can provide a lot of warmth from within the home, especially when compared to other options such as a wood burning stove or heating system. However, no matter which type you get it’s important to make sure there are enough safety measures in place so homeowners don’t end up getting hurt. You should always have a fire extinguisher or smoke alarm within reach in case something goes wrong with the unit while you’re using it and never try to clean them up by yourself if they start to overheat since this could lead to serious injury!
Environmental Protection
There are a few differences between an electric fireplace and a traditional gas or wood fire. The first difference is environmental protection. While many people choose to use natural resources, such as wood logs and gas for their fires, they do so at the expense of air pollution. With electric fireplaces there is no need to cut down trees or burn anything but electricity which emits fewer fumes than either type of fuel would produce on its own.
For most people, the most important thing about their fireplace is how it looks. Electric fireplaces are able to give off a glowing orange-red light that mimics actual flames extremely well. This means they can easily be used as an alternative for traditional fires without having to sacrifice aesthetics at all!
Safety Tips
- An electric fireplace is usually a good way to add warmth and ambiance in your home. But there are some safety tips you should know about before using one of these appliances.
- First, make sure that the area around an electric fireplace does not have any flammable items nearby. If the item falls over, it could start a fire which would spread quickly with all of those things so close by. Additionally, if anything ever catches on fire near or around the unit, turn it off immediately and keep cool because next thing you know could be something burning down!
- Lastly, never block access to doors when operating this appliance as well as keeping children away from operating them unsupervised. These are just three simple but important precautions you can take when using an electric fireplace.
FAQs
Do I need any special tools to assemble my electric fireplace?
Yes, you will need a screwdriver (and possibly pliers) when assembling your unit.
What kind of warranty does my electric fireplace have?
Most Electric Fireplaces come with a one year limited manufacturer’s warranty. In some cases, additional warranties may be available for purchase depending on the unit.
What is the average wattage of an electric fireplace?
The average wattage for a unit is anywhere from 500 watts to 1500 watts.
Can I use my electric fireplace outdoors?
No, it’s not recommended as the electrical components may be damaged by rain and snow. It can also cause issues with dust and debris which could damage sensitive parts such as the fan or filter system. Additionally, if you live in a colder region, there might not be enough heat produced to keep your area warm even though this does depend on how close you place your unit to where you normally sit/stand at home. If you want warmth without damaging any part of the exterior then we suggest our propane fire pit.
Is it safe to have an electric fireplace in the bedroom?
There are some fireplaces that can be used in a bedroom, but you should check with your manufacturer first. Generally speaking however if the unit has a screen or glass front then it is usually possible to use in this room. You may want to consider using one of our heater units instead as they provide heat without any flame which makes them safer for bedrooms and other areas where there might be children around who could accidentally touch parts of the unit (such as switches) which could cause injury.
Can’t I just plug it into an existing electrical outlet?
No, you will also require additional items such as a remote control or wall switch (if your unit doesn’t come with one already).
What is the average cost of an electric fireplace insert?
Electric Fireplace Inserts can range in price from $200-$3000 depending on size and if it comes with any additional features such as; LED lighting, fan forced heat output and log set. You should always shop around for the best deal available to you before making a purchase!
Conclusion
An electric fireplace is an easy way to get the look of a real one without all the work. The models today are just as realistic looking and can be hooked up in about ten minutes! All you need is electricity, which most houses have already installed. If your house doesn’t have it then you should consider having it done before buying an electric fire place because if not, this could become very costly. Electric fireplaces are available at nearly every store that sells furniature or home decor items so finding one will be no problem for anyone who wants one.