Is an Electric Fireplace Right for You?

When it comes to designing a house, one of the main focal points in your living space is the fireplace. There are many options to choose from. Although many people opt for traditional wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces are gaining popularity. Here’s what you need to know to decide if an electric fireplace is the right choice for you.

What Is an Electric Fireplace?

Much like a traditional fireplace, a gas fireplace is an indoor structure that allows you to burn a fire safely inside for comfort and warmth. Unlike a traditional wood-burning fireplace, however, electric fireplaces do not have chimneys. You can move a fireplace without chimney anywhere in your house depending upon your personal preferences.

The primary difference between a wood-burning and gas fireplace is the type of fuel they use. Electric fireplaces use various types of gas to operate while traditional fireplaces burn logs.

Is an Electric Fireplace Right for You?

What Are the Benefits of a Gas Fireplace?

Although wood-burning fireplaces are common, electric fireplaces are gaining popularity quickly. Gas fireplaces offer the following benefits:

  • Cost-efficient fuel: Gas is cheaper than wood. It takes more wood to keep a fire burning for long periods of time, but you can keep the blaze burning for the same amount of time with a small amount of gas.
  • Environmentally conscious: Wood-burning fireplaces limit you to using a single type of fuel. Electric fireplaces allow you to use different types of gas so you can choose one that doesn’t affect the environment. Opt for biofuel or natural gas if you want to avoid using fossil fuels.
  • Convenience: Gas fireplaces use remote control so that you control the size of the flame. There’s no need to keep replacing burned-up logs. You simply use a remote control to add additional fuel when the flame is burning out.

What Style Options Are Available for Gas Fireplaces?

Just like traditional fireplaces, gas fireplaces have a lot of design options. Traditional fireplaces are often brick and you can choose from a wide variety of colors. You can also choose from other materials depending upon your personal style. However, you need to consider that traditional fireplaces can’t be moved to various locations. They all use chimneys, so once they are built, you can’t move them.

Electric fireplaces also have a wide variety of style options. You can choose from a wide variety of materials such as steel or metal. These materials come in a wide array of colors, and there are models that complement every type of decor scheme. These models are often freestanding so you can move them throughout your home depending upon your personal taste and preference.

There are so many styles of electric fireplaces to choose from that it can seem overwhelming when you are trying to choose the right one for your home. However, making a choice doesn’t have to be difficult. If you take into account your personal needs, you will know if you need a moveable fireplace or not. You should also consider your decor scheme and how often your tastes change. If you change your mind about the aesthetic you want in your home, choose a gas fireplace that has a timeless design that can be incorporated into any look.

Choosing the right fireplace for your home is an important element of accomplishing the aesthetic look you want. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming when you are trying to select the one that will look the best in your space. If you are trying to decide which type of fireplace is right for you, consider these three factors to see if an electric fireplace is a good choice for you.

by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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