Have you purchased an electric fireplace and want to know how they work? Maybe you have found yourself looking at your fireplace and wondering how it generates heat in your home? Whatever your question might be, we have the answer for you!
Electric fireplaces are a popular addition to most homes, keeping you warm while adding a cozy vibe to your home.
And who doesn’t want that? But it can be tricky to know how they work, especially if you don’t have an engineering degree.
Quickly, you can find yourself overwhelmed, unsure how your fireplace works or how to find out the answers you need.
Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers that you need. Keep reading to find out how electric fireplaces work and everything else you need to know about them!
How Do Electric Fireplaces Work?
Let’s get straight into why you came here today and find out how electric fireplaces work. Let’s start with the obvious, electric fireplaces need to be plugged into an electrical outlet for them to work!
There are two types of electric fireplaces on the market, fan heated fires, and infrared fires.
Let’s take a closer look at these electric fireplaces (see also our article on outdoor electric fireplaces) now and how they work!
How Electric Fireplaces Mimic Traditional Fireplaces
In simple terms, electric fireplaces use a combination of heating elements and fans to replicate what a traditional fire does. The heating element turns converts electricity into heat in a process called resistive heating.
The fan then helps circulate the heat around the room and it feels very much like a traditional fireplace.
Fan Heater Electric Fireplace
Fan heaters are the most common type of electric fireplace. If you have an electric fireplace in your home, chances are it uses a fan heater.
Usually, the fan will be located at the top of your fireplace, although it can differ depending on the brand.
Most of these fires will have a range of settings you can choose from, allowing you to get the right temperature for your room.
As the heating process is done internally, fan heater fireplaces are considered quite safe. There is a far lower risk of burning or injuring yourself compared to open or gas fireplaces.
You still need to take care, of course, and we recommend that you do not touch the fireplace unless it is turned off and completely cooled.
It’s best to keep pets and young children a safe distance away from the fireplace too, especially when it is on, to keep them safe at all times.
You will also want to carefully consider what furniture and materials are near the fire.
You don’t want any materials that could melt or combust near the heat generated from the fire, just in case. It is always better to be safe than sorry after all!
They use invisible rays of light that travel through the air to heat objects in their path, like a couch opposite them.
The rays travel in straight lines and aren’t impacted by drafts or other external factors.
While this can be handy, it does mean that you won’t feel the benefits of the heat if you aren’t in the direct path of these rays.
You can consider infrared as working the same way as the sun’s rays, but they don’t have the harmful effects that UV rays do.
When choosing between infrared and fan heater fireplaces (see also ‘What Is An Infrared Electric Fireplace?‘), you will want to consider carefully how they work and which would be the better option for you and your home.
Be sure to also consider your budget and price up some fireplaces. Be sure to look at the voltage of the fireplace to find out how powerful it will be!
How Are Flames Created On An Electric Fireplace?
Now that we have established how the fireplace works, let’s look at the flames you see on the front of the fireplace. These flames can be created in a few different ways.
Some fireplaces feature a TV screen built into the fireplace that shows a video of a fire. These will often have audio features too that will generate a crackling sound to give you a more authentic feel.
Other fires will use bulbs that have light refracted to give the illusion of flames. These days, it is more common for fires to use a water mist.
This mist will look like smoke and is one of the more convincing effects out there. If you purchase an electric fireplace these days, it is likely to have this feature and deliver a realistic fire for you to enjoy.
When you are searching for a fireplace, you can check the product description to see how the flames are generated.
Most online retailers will also feature a video of the fireplace in action so you can see how realistic the flames will be.
They might be sitting above fake coals or logs too, making it seem even more realistic! Again, this will be seen in any photographs or videos of the fireplace.
We also recommend that you check out reviews of the fireplace you are considering purchasing online.
Here you can see other people’s opinions. Scan through these reviews to find out if other people think the flames are realistic or not.
Reviews are an excellent way for you to find out more about the fireplace without parting with your cash.
Can Electric Fireplaces Have Real Flames?
No they don’t, they use LED or another light source to create the illusion of a flame.
Some electric fireplaces use sound to mimic the crackiling of a burning log. Others create what appears to be smoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Electric Fireplaces As Effective As Traditional Fireplaces?
No, usually a wood burning fireplace will generate more heat. However, an electric fireplace still generates a lot of heat and is much more convenient!
Can An Electric Fireplace Be Used As A Primary Heat Source?
Not really, an electric fireplace will only heat one room. They are not designed as a primary heat source to heat the entire house. They may also struggle to heat very large room with large ceilings.
Can I Install An Electric Fireplace Myself?
It is possible if you closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However we always recommend using a qualified electrician but if you are installing, we suggest an inspection by an electrician to ensure safety compliance.
Hi, I am Stevie Morris. As a qualified electrician, I have installed countless electric fires and worked on projects with all types of fireplaces, including wood burning, bioethanol, and gas installations.
By working hands-on with different brands, you quickly become an expert on the best fireplaces and those you should avoid.
My family also owns the largest online retailer of fire pits and outdoor fireplaces in the UK. Although not part of the family business, I regularly help when needed.
I hope you can benefit from my experience and impartiality, which I have gained from installing fireplaces and seeing the family's fire pit business grow.
