Loads of people prefer electric fireplaces, they’re more convenient, safer, and typically more efficient when compared to traditional fireplaces, and as technology continues to advance, they continue to become more and more realistic too, with crackling sound effects, and realistic-looking flames too.
If you’ve been considering whether or not you should add an electric fireplace to your home, but are still undecided on whether or not it’s going to be efficient enough for your needs, then this guide is here to help.
In this guide, we’ll be answering all of your questions regarding electric fireplaces, including whether or not they use a lot of electricity, and much more!
Are Electricity Fireplaces Expensive To Use?
Although it’s relative, and it all depends on the exact appliance you have, electric fireplaces aren’t generally very expensive ones to run, and are actually cheaper than some of the other electric heating devices out there.
Although electric heaters are notoriously expensive to run, electric fireplaces are actually much cheaper, and this is all because they only require a low power wattage in order to run, which makes them cheaper to run in the long term.
Some people also find that their electric fireplaces tend to be much cheaper to run than gas fires and wood-burning stoves too, which makes them an extremely popular option for those who are looking for a cheap and an efficient way to heat their homes.
So, let’s take a closer look at how efficient electric fireplaces can be.
Electric Fireplaces And Their Efficiency
Although those who already have electric fireplaces will be aware of this, those who are yet to try one out will likely be shocked to discover that electric fireplaces are actually much more efficient then their wood-burning or gas counterparts, which means that electric heat is better than traditional heat.
While gas fireplaces, wood-burning, and multi-fuel stoves are all around 80% efficient, electric burners are almost always 100% efficient.
This is because all of their energy is able to be transformed into heat energy, with no heat or energy being lost or wasted in the process.
Meanwhile, traditional fireplaces lose heat up the chimney, and waste energy too.
Plus, because more modern electric fireplaces allow you to adjust the heat to the exact temperature you want, you’ll be able to be much more precise with the amount of energy you use heating up your home.
What Decides The Cost Of Running Your Electric Fireplace?
While electric fireplaces are all relatively efficient, especially when compared to the traditional methods of heating, not all electric fireplaces are created equal, which means that you’ll need to consider some of these important factors if you’re planning on purchasing an electric fireplace for your home.
There are three main factors that can determine the cost of running your electric fireplace, so let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Wattage
The first of the main three factors that determine the efficiency of your electric fireplace is of course, wattage.
Just like any other electrical appliance out there, your electric fireplace will have a specific wattage, and you should be able to find out what wattage your fireplace is simply by looking at the instruction manual.
Typically, electric fireplaces have a wattage somewhere between 0.7 kilowatts, and 2 kilowatts, and when you compare it to some of the high-wattage appliances such as kettles, tumble dryers, or dishwashers, then you’ll understand that they’re a lot more efficient than some of the other appliances in your home.
Usage
Of course, one of the biggest factors to consider when determining how much electricity your electric fireplace uses is the amount you’ll be keeping your fireplace on for.
Simply put, the more you use your fireplace, the more energy you’re going to be using.
Although, this also depends on whether you’re turning on the fireplace without any heat for some ambience, or trying to use your electric fireplace to heat up your house during the winter months.
The higher the temperature you set it to, the more electricity you’re going to use!
Cost Of Electricity
The final main factor to consider is the cost of electricity where you live. Depending on what country you live in, and what area of the country you live in, the cost of electricity can fluctuate massively, even from month to month.
The more in demand the electricity is, the more likely you are to have to pay more for the privilege of using it, so keep this in mind when deciding whether or not an electric fireplace is going to be right for you.
How To Determine The Cost Of Running An Electric Fireplace
If you’re worried that you’re going to be using a lot of electricity by running an electric fireplace, then you can always double-check how much it will cost by doing a relatively simple calculation!
All you need to know is the wattage of your electric fireplace (or the one you plan on buying), and the cost of electricity per hour (kWh).
Let’s say you have a 1500W (1.5 kW) electric heater, and you put it on for an hour, then using the average electricity cost for the USA in February 2022, this would come to a cost of 0.22$, or 22 cents per hour.
Final Thoughts
We hope that this guide to the electricity usage of an electric fireplace has been able to help you understand more about the efficiency of electric fireplaces, as well as their running costs.
As you can see, when compared to traditional heating options, electric fireplaces tend to be much more efficient, which makes them cheaper to run in the long term, and are therefore a great choice for your home!
As the founder of firepit.co.uk, I am proud to run the largest online fire pit retailer in the UK. I am a leading expert with extensive knowledge of indoor fireplaces and outdoor heating solutions.
I love contributing to Fireplace Ideas, where I can share my love of fireplaces and pass on the experience I have gained in running my business.
In addition to running firepit.co.uk, I am a prolific writer currently working on a book about fireplaces.
Whether you're a homeowner, a designer, or simply someone who loves the warmth and comfort of a fireplace, I have the knowledge and expertise to help you create the perfect space for your needs.
I also love a great fire. Over the years, I have enjoyed using different types of wood burners and gas fireplaces. Now in a more modern home, I use an electric fireplace.
