Electric fireplaces make up the main leg of something we told you recently: how to keep your house warm in winter. Until now, the most traditional and pellet ones appeared as the first option compared to this new one that, at least, we put in quarantine.

In times when power companies juggle rates, we ask ourselves: is this type of machinery profitable? How does an electric fireplace work? Are they part of the decoration trends of the moment?

These devices go one step beyond the stove to become the revolution in terms of home heating. Design, cleanliness, and efficiency come together to contribute to your sustainable and energy-efficient home.

What is an Electric Fireplace?

Electric fireplaces vs. those of firewood and other varieties have a main advantage, and that is that 100% of the energy consumption is translated into heat. But -as happens with most decisions to make when faced with an interior design project-, there are certain factors to take into account when deciding. 

At Dimension, we have made a tour of the advantages and disadvantages of electric fireplaces so that you can value if it is the type of heat that best suits your home.

Advantages of an Electric Fireplace

One of the most palpable advantages of electric fireplaces is their seasonal versatility. We refer to its use during all times of the year, as it can be used as heating in winter and as pure decoration in warmer times. From color to movement, regulate the intensity of its flames to create a cozy and stylish atmosphere in your room. 

They are straightforward when planning the installation and, in general, do not need rehabilitation or reform. If it was needed, it would be minimal and would hardly modify the structure of the space.

In addition to the most obvious model, the floor-standing one, there is the option of installing them recessed in the wall. In this way, and standing out above the bioethanol ones, it will not take up space in your room when the coldest season passes.

There’s also the immediacy factor. As long as we have electricity, we will have the fireplace ready to work instantly. However, contrary to other modalities such as firewood or bioethanol, we must be careful to provide them with fuel regularly.

Another of their virtues is that they offer the possibility of setting time programming and other home automation options through apps.

The immediacy of the sensation of heat is another point in favor of this type of fireplaces. Unlike conventional ones, which need time to warm up, electric ones expand heat by convection, heating the surrounding air and, therefore, raising the temperature very quickly.

Disadvantages of an Electric Fireplace

Despite spreading heat faster than conventional fireplaces, they have a lower calorific level. We are talking about a maximum power of 2000 W for electric fireplaces compared to 4,500 W for traditional ones to give you an idea.

They depend on the electricity connection, so they need a nearby plug and to be behind a -sometimes annoying- cable.

Do they spend a lot? The elements of the home that provide heat usually work with electrical resistance, so in the coldest months, your bill will give a noticeable high if you have them connected often. However, if we compare it with other more conventional options such as the wood-burning fireplace, this budget is minimized to about 20/30 euros of wood per month.

Sometimes they are visually unrealistic. Although many brands bet on a realistic and aesthetic flame design, which even plays with the most refined 3D, not all of them succeed. The most pro? Electric fireplaces with sound, which imitate the creaking of wood and fire.

Make sure that the noise from the fan is not excessive, one of the big problems with this type of heating that, in most cases, makes us opt for another model.