Electric Fireplaces Provide Warmth And Charm To Any Room

There is something about a fireplace that appeals to the inner caveman in all of us. Any realtor will tell you that a fireplace is one of the most common features many shoppers say they will simply not do without when selecting their next home. While a wood burning fireplace is often preferred, many homes are simply not designed to support one. In this case, an electric fireplace could be the perfect solution.

Electric fireplaces have come a very long way since the 1970s, when a lighted rotating cylinder placed inside a hollow plastic pile of ashes was considered state of the art technology. Modern high end fireplaces now incorporate mirrors and high-tech digital displays to simulate a real fire so completely that one must get very close indeed to detect the illusion. Realistic crackling sound effects are also often incorporated to make the faux fire even more believable.

The physical fireplaces themselves also offer a number of different options. Ben Franklin-style stoves that can sit in a corner, or even in the middle of a room, are a popular option for many decors. If space is at a premium, some digital fireplaces, built into a realistic-looking fireplace screen, are no thicker than a flat screen television and can be placed against the wall, taking up almost no space at all. Another popular option is a wooden or faux stone mantle and surround with a thin faux fireplace built into it. These units are often no more than four or six inches deep and can be mounted against the wall, giving the illusion of a real fireplace just beyond the glass doors.

Probably the most stylish, but expensive, option involves installing an electric insert into an existing fire box. This would be an excellent option for those who already have a wood burning fireplace but never use it because of the mess and complication involved in burning wood, or for a fireplace that is simply no longer safe to burn in because of a deteriorated chimney. Electric fireplaces have inserts that are sized to fit standard openings and use the depth of the box to house realistic full-size electric fireplace logs for a startlingly realistic simulation.

In addition to the charm and sophistication that a fireplace adds to a room, modern electric fireplaces provide efficient heat as well. Unlike traditional wood fires, which actually cool the house by drawing cold air inside, an electric fireplace will usually be equipped with a heater to provide gentle warmth along with a relaxing and romantic display. Best of all, unlike real fires, the heat can be turned off for comfortable summertime enjoyment.