| An electric fireplace heater is an easy and cost | | | | But different combinations of insert and mantel |
| effective way to add welcome additional heat and | | | | sizes are available to match the size and scale of |
| a touch of elegance to any room. | | | | your room. |
| What you won't be getting is the smoke, | | | | The compact design of an electric fireplace |
| potentially deadly CO2 fumes, and the mess | | | | makes it well suited for smaller homes, |
| associated with a conventional fireplace. | | | | apartments, condos and even RVs. |
| Prices for an electric fireplace start at $299 and | | | | Quality of Construction When you shop online for |
| can skyrocket to $2,300 for a combination | | | | an electric fireplace you're forced to judge the |
| fireplace/home entertainment center. However, | | | | quality of the merchandise by examining a |
| there are many well made, attractively designed | | | | photograph. Most of the time it's easy to spot a |
| models in the $450 - $700 range. | | | | piece of junk, but sometimes it isn't. |
| The heating unit, or electric insert, includes the | | | | A sure way to judge the quality of a fireplace is |
| blower, log set and controls. Depending on the | | | | by its shipping weight. All things being equal, you |
| model, heat output varies from 1,350 to 1,500 | | | | could reasonably assume an electric fireplace |
| watts. This is enough power to comfortably heat | | | | weighing 210 pounds is built to a higher standard |
| 150 square feet. | | | | than one weighing 120 pounds. |
| In general, the electric insert accounts for roughly | | | | Standard Features and Extras Standard features |
| $200 (retail) of the total price. So whatever you | | | | on most electric fireplace heaters include the |
| end up spending over $200 will be for decorating | | | | mantel, electric insert, 2 speed blower, on/off |
| and romance, not additional heat. | | | | remote control, and log set. All models plug into a |
| Electric Fireplace Styles In addition to the standard | | | | standard 120V receptacle and are completely |
| fireplace design, corner units are available to make | | | | portable. Also, the flame feature can be enjoyed |
| excellent use of wasted space. Other models | | | | at any time of the year with or without the |
| offer enhancements such as book shelves, curio | | | | heater. |
| cabinets or home entertainment centers. The | | | | Some of the available extras include hand carved |
| mantel piece itself can be constructed of finished | | | | glowing logs, deluxe trim, bi-fold glass doors, |
| wood, wood with tile inserts, or expensive cast | | | | dimmer control and thermostat. |
| marble. | | | | No matter which electric fireplace heater you |
| Electric Fireplace Sizes Electric fireplace heaters | | | | finally decide to buy, it's important to read the |
| are usually advertised in three sizes: 33", 28" and | | | | complete product description to find out exactly |
| 23". This measurement represents the width of | | | | what's included in the price and what's going to |
| the fireplace insert at the front; the larger the | | | | cost extra. |
| insert, the larger the log set and flame display. | | | | Find out which electric fireplaces are the best |
| Usually, a larger insert means a larger mantelpiece. | | | | value. |