The electric fireplace has come a long way since its inception in 1912. When it was invented, electricity was not widely available to homes, and it was at the beginning of a tumultuous time that led to two world wars. It wasn’t until the Great Space Race with the Soviet Union that the electric fireplace began to gain steam, as the United States touted its technological advances.
It was during this push for technological advancements that the first realistic electric flame was introduced in 1988, although it was not patented until 1995. And just like that, its popularity spread like wildfire.
Safety
Since the popularization of the electric fireplace in the 1980s, deaths caused by in-home fires have decreased by 42%. These numbers don’t even take into consideration the number of people that die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year in their homes. It is no surprise that an electric fireplace is far safer than a wood-burning or gas fireplace.
There are additional features of an electric fireplace that make it a safer and more effective choice when it comes to heating your home. For example, an electric fireplace is far safer for young children, as its flames don’t get hot and its screen is safe to touch.
Additionally, you can set the fireplace on a timer and also utilize an emergency shut-off switch.
Cost-Effective
Electric fireplaces have become cost-effective solutions for heating your home or space. Compared to the early electric fireplace, where electricity was expensive because of limited homes having access, modern electric fireplace costs are significantly less when compared to the home furnace.
An electric fireplace uses 1500 watts of power on average. This is in comparison to an electric home furnace, which uses 20,000 watts on average.
An important feature of an electric fireplace is that you can heat the room that is being utilized, and turn down the heat to the rest of your home, effectively only using what you need. This can significantly reduce your expenses, especially during the cold winter months.
These cost benefits extend beyond just the heating bill, to the maintenance of the equipment itself. Electric fireplaces are less prone to corrosion, need less maintenance than the average fireplace, and are cheaper to install than most other forms of heat sources in your home.
Technology
The technology associated with the electric fireplace has come a long way, not only in use and practicality but in realism as well. Through the use of mirrors and even holographs, some electric fireplaces are able to simulate embers and smoke, seemingly imperceptible in difference to an actual fire.
In addition to the lifelike functions that an electric fireplace produces, they also have some added user-friendly and convenient functions. With the ability to hook your electric fireplace to a remote, starting a “fire” has never been easier.
In addition, there are also fireplaces that can be run from your smartphone device, making it easier to warm up the space before you even enter the room. You can also put the fireplace on a timer, setting it for those hours when you want a little extra heat or a more inviting atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Some fireplaces extend beyond realism and embrace the fun with different colored flames and different roaring heights. Since the creation of the first electric fireplace, technology and advancements have continued to be made, making the electric fireplace a great addition to any room with its ease of installation, ease of function, and easy maintenance.
Whatever the feature of a traditional fireplace and furnace, the electric fireplace blends the best features, helping to make your space cozier and more inviting, especially during those cold winter months.
