Many have probably spent a time or two seated in front of a roaring fireplace with a significant other sipping on wine or with friends sipping hot chocolate. The experience is a memorable one because of the great company on one hand and the not-so-great inconveniences that come with using wood logs on traditional fireplaces. For a piece of good news this side of the Internet, we now have the benefit of electric fireplaces.

What It Is

Let’s start with the definition of an electric fireplace. It’s not a new-fangled invention that requires a high degree of education to operate, thanks to the easy-to-operate selector switch. In most models, you can choose a “flame only” setting where the electric heater provides the appearance of flames sans the heat or the heater function complete with the warmth.

Depending on the electric fireplaces with mantels you choose, the energy required to heat a 400 square feet room is 1.4 to 1.6 kilowatt hours. The general rule is that the larger the heating area capacity of the appliance and the more frequent its use, then the higher the electric bill will be.

What Its Benefits Are

Of course, electric fireplace inserts mimic the appearance and function of traditional fireplaces running on coal, wood and natural gas. The most notable difference obviously is the source of power, which just so happens to be electricity. Just plug into the electrical outlet, turn on the power switch, select the settings and voila! Welcome the warmth and light pouring into the room from a modern fireplace.

From such quality arise many other benefits including:

• Economical – Your total expenses for the maintenance of the electric fireplaces are substantially lower than those for traditional fireplaces. This is because firewood and charcoal entail travel, storage and cleaning costs that are absent in usage of electricity.
• Eco-Friendly – This is an arguable point since electricity uses fossil fuel but if you can use renewable energy sources like solar power, then the better for the environment. Besides, you will not be a party to the cutting down of forests.
• Portable – This is with the assumption that the electric fireplace chosen is, indeed, lightweight and portable. For electric fireplaces installed into an existing fireplace, portability is not an option in addition to the fact that once the traditional fireplace is refitted, it cannot be used for burning wood.
• Convenient – You don’t have to clean chimneys, deal with embers, soot and fire, and chop wood in the middle of a winter wonderland. Just plug and turn on to enjoy heat and light.

What the Choices Are

You also have the benefit of choice since these modern-day, electric-powered fireplaces come in many models. Browse through an online site and you will be privy to more than a few of these choices of which the following are the most common:

• Built-in wall mount fireplaces require zero clearance. These can be installed anywhere such as inside the wall or below the grate. Functioning glass doors, mesh screen and remote are available features.
• Plug-in fireplaces are used as corner fireplaces or installed against a wall. These are highly portable units with realistic flame effect and act as secondary heat source for up to 400 square feet.

If you want to enjoy the traditional joys of a fireplace sans its inconveniences, go for electric fireplaces.