Is an Electric Fireplace Worth the Money?
Posted by Lloyd Allen on
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Consider the pros and cons of installing an electric fireplace in your home.
Electric fireplace prices
Electric fireplace costs start at about $200 and tend to average around $700 or $800.
A fireplace improves the atmosphere of your home, but fireplace installation can be costly and require a great deal of maintenance. If you don't have a chimney or simply want to avoid the hassle of a wood-burning or gas fireplace, electric fireplacesprovide an alternative to traditional systems.
They come in many different styles, but generally, electric fireplaces use mirrors, mylar and LED lights to mimic the look of flame. An electric fireplace log might be metal, wood or rock.
Electric fireplace installation
Electric fireplaces require much less hassle than traditional wood-burning or gas fireplace inserts. Since they need no gas lines, chimney or other infrastructure, you can install an electric fireplace anywhere you have a power outlet, and in homes where fireplaces are not an option.
3 pros!
“We’re seeing a lot of interest from people who live in high-rises or condos,” says Ted Palmer, who works in sales at Woodland Stoves and Fireplaces in Minneapolis. “They usually can’t install wood or gas fireplaces, and a lot of those places don’t have gas at all.”
An electric fireplace insert can be used to create a traditional look. (Photo courtesy of Dimplex)
Since they don’t emit harmful fumes such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, electric fireplaces require no chimney, venting or the monitors and maintenance involved in a ventless gas fireplace. They also produce no soot or ash, so they’re easy to clean and maintain.
Most homeowners can DIY electric fireplace installation — all you need is a power outlet, and it can be as easy as hanging it on a wall. With more complex home decorating ideas in mind, such as insetting it in a wall, you might need a carpenter or electrician to handle those details, but the fireplace element requires no professional expertise.
Because electric fireplaces don’t burn or use combustible fuel, they don’t corrode and wear out very slowly, allowing them to last many years longer than their fiery counterparts.
For more safety tips about electric fireplaces, watch this video.
Electric fireplaces don't provide much heat, but they offer a wide array of home decorating ideas. (Photo courtesy of Dimplex)
Electric fireplace electricity cost
An average electric fireplace uses $1.84 of electricity every eight hours.
Electric fireplace cost and drawbacks
Don’t count on an electric fireplace heater to warm your home. Most electric fireplaces don’t emit more than 5,000 BTUs. “That’s about as much heat as four or five pilot lights,” Palmer says. “They might take the edge off the cold air, but that’s about it.”
Although recent technological advances have improved the aesthetics of electric fireplaces, their simulated fire still tends to look fake compared to authentic flames. Since they depend on a power source, electric fireplaces won’t light or heat your home in the event of a power outage or storm.
Also, electric fireplaces involve higher operational costs. On average, an electric fireplace uses $1.84 of electricity every eight hours.
Linear modern electric fireplaces have become very popular. (Photo courtesy of Dimplex)
Electric fireplace home decorating ideas
Robin Flanigan, who works in sales at Fireplaces Plus in Vernon Hills, Illinois, says electric fireplaces come in a wide variety of designs, ranging from sleek and modern to a traditional wood look, making them ideal for a wide range of fireplace decorating ideas.
“You can get them built in, you can hang them on a wall, or you can get them in a cabinet so they’re a piece of furniture,” he says.
Or you can forego modern fireplace design and install an electric fireplace insert in an existing brick or masonry fireplace opening to create a very traditional atmosphere. This creates all of the charm of a brick fireplace mantel and even a spot to hang the stockings for Santa!
“Electric fireplaces have a lot of visual options, coming in quite an array of different shapes and sizes,” Flanigan says. “I’ve seen them getting much more popular ever since they introduced linear modern models. Those are long narrow fireplaces, instead of a squared-off traditional fireplace.”
Even though an electric fireplace produces little heat, it still makes a great place to showcase family photos. (Photo courtesy of The Outdoor GreatRoom Company)
Where to buy an electric fireplace
You can buy an electric fireplace at either a big-box store or a specialty fireplace hearth retailer. The big-box models usually tend to cost less, but specialty outlets often have a wider selection, more expertise to help you pick the best model for your needs and higher quality, including name brands such as Napoleon or Dimplex electric fireplaces.
Additional reporting by Angie's List contributor Charles Costa
Have you installed an electric fireplace, or are you interested in doing so? Tell us about it in the comments below.
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally published on Nov. 22, 2013.
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