7 Common Myths About Electric Fireplaces, Busted Once and For All

Have you ever considered upgrading your traditional fireplace to an electric unit, or putting one in a space that doesn’t currently have a heat source? You may have come across a few myths based on outdated standards that discouraged you from looking at electric fireplaces.

In today’s world, electric fireplaces are safer, better for the environment, and more customizable than traditional fireplaces. They are designed to fit 21st-century tastes and are on-par with other modern technologies.

Here are 7 common myths about electric fireplaces, and explanations for why they aren’t true.

Myth #1: Electric Fireplaces Don’t Give Off Heat

Typically, electric fireplaces give off about 5000 BTUs of heat, which is enough for a small to medium sized room. They come with built-in fans which help distribute the heat evenly throughout the space.

By comparison, gas and wood fireplaces sometimes give off substantially more heat, often over 20,000 to BTUs. While this is much more heat than a typical electric fireplace, it’s often too much for an average-sized room, and the heat is not distributed as evenly.

The heat given off by electric units is not dangerous to anyone in the household. The units are cool to the touch, which can be especially useful if you have young children or pets. In addition, electric fireplaces will start giving off heat immediately when you turn it on, no waiting necessary.

Myth #2: An Electric Fireplace is Just an Image Reflecting On a Screen

Electric fireplaces are much more than a moving image. They are also able to give off heat if you desire.

Depending on the unit, there can be different options for what shows up on the screen, including different types of wood logs, glass beads, flames and more. You can choose between different types of media  to fit your current tastes.

At Four Day Fireplace, you can choose fireplace units that allow you to see charred oak logs, birch logs, or fresh-cut logs while also warming up the room. Current designs add depth and character to your fireplace, and they are much more complex than a simple image. The fireplace image can run with or without the heat, so you can have the flickering fireplace aesthetic in your house no matter what time of year it is.

Myth #3: Electric Fireplaces Are Usually Inefficient

Electric fireplaces are, in fact, more efficient than other types of fireplaces. They require less maintenance than gas or wood fireplaces, and they use less fuel. Most people with electric fireplaces save money in the long run.

When you buy an electric unit, it is easy to choose one that will produce the right amount of heat for the size of your room. Your electric fireplace will come with built-in fans that help disperse the heat evenly throughout the space. The heat stays inside, unlike with other fireplaces that require ventilation so that much of the heat produced is lost.

Myth #4: Electric Fireplaces Are Bad for the Environment

When it comes to environmental impact, electric units are actually much better than other types of fireplaces in a lot of cases. They use less fuel than gas and wood fireplaces.

Since electric fireplaces do not have real fire, there is no actual combustion or smoke, which means there is no chance of the fireplace producing toxic gases like carbon monoxide. This is both safer for your interior home environment and the outside environment as well.

If you are looking to improve your carbon footprint, electric fireplaces are a great sustainable option. Since they utilize less fuel, you help the environment while saving money in the process.

Myth #5: You Can Never Fix Electric Fireplaces if they Break

This is simply not true. Just as with any other technology or product, there are people trained to make repairs for electric fireplaces. If you are the do-it-yourself type of person, you can often fix problems by reading the manual or following instructional videos online. You can order the necessary parts and fix the fireplace on your own time.

However, if you don’t know how to fix your unit, it is best to contact a trusted repair person. Four Day Fireplace has highly experienced technicians trained to diagnose and fix any problems your unit might have. When we inspect your unit, we provide you with a 27-point report on your fireplace’s condition, a solid quote, and a clean fireplace.

Myth #6: You’re Going to See an Ugly Cord

Many technological products have electric cords, which has led to many creative ways of hiding them. One way is to directly hard-wire your electric fireplace into the wall. Another way is to have an electrician install an outlet right behind your unit.

If you’re getting an electric insert to put inside an old fireplace, an outlet can be installed right into your chimney’s masonry. You can also wind up your cord, secure it with velcro or a plastic tie, and mount it on a hook behind your unit.

There are plenty of products designed to hide cords, such as cord covers for the wall or floor, baseboard covers, and much more. There are many ways to deal with cords; it is just a matter of finding the right technique for your space.

Myth #7: Electric Fireplaces Don’t Look Nice

Electric fireplaces can look as nice as you want them to look. There are many options when it comes to picking your unit, and in many cases, they can be customized to fit the aesthetic of your space. There are a number of different themes to choose from, such as modern, classic, rustic, and traditional.

Four Day Fireplace has numerous design options for all its electric fireplaces, including floor-to-ceiling masonry, built-in shelving, stone facades, double-sided fireplaces, and even outdoor fireplaces. We also have refined finishes of stone, tile, mosaic, and more. We will work with you to create the perfect fireplace for your space that fits your budget and aesthetic.

Many of the myths that follow electric fireplaces are simply untrue. Electric units can give off plenty of heat, are efficient, have a low environmental impact, can be fixed if they break, and come in a wide variety of designs.

Over our three decades of service, Four Day Fireplace has served many satisfied customers, and we are ready to put our years of experience to work for you. Contact us if you have any questions regarding electric fireplaces for your Western Washington home.