Aug 17th, 2010 | Written by marylyn | Posted in Home and Household |

If your current home was built without a fireplace, you may be considering options that will allow you to have a fireplace installed. While many people have fireplaces installed, this can be an expensive option that can forever alter the architectural integrity of your home. Instead of going this route, an electric fireplace could be a better option. These are designed to fit any budget and match just about any type of decor while offering a warm and comforting presence to any room they are installed in. Of course, the financial benefit of having an electric fireplace far outweighs installing a traditional fireplace in your home.

The baseline model fireplace starts at around three hundred dollars and extends upwards to the $1,000 range depending on the features available. Some of the higher end models feature a screen projecting simulated flames so they are slightly safer than those that produce real frames. Others offer the ability to be turned on with just the touch of a remote control. The size of your room will determine how large a unit you need. Units have been manufactured that offer 300 watts for smaller sized rooms to 5000 watts for heating up large rooms. These units are often more effective at heating a room because there is no back draft from an open fire pit. Aside from the fact that there is no back draft, you also have the benefit of not having to purchase lumber or wood to burn, since only natural gas is used.

Aside from lowering your heating bills, an electric fireplace has no health drawbacks that come associated with a traditional fireplace. Those who have respiratory systems that are sensitive to smoke and other irritants can have their condition exacerbated by using a traditional fireplace. Those will allergies can also suffer since the open chimney can let all kinds of pollen and other pollutants into the home. All of these problems added to the smoke produced when burning wood makes electric a very viable option.

An electric fireplace is a great option for any home that wants the joy of a fireplace without experiencing the irritants caused by a traditional fireplace. You can find many fireplace accessories online that will further assist in the illusion of having a wood burning fireplace in your home.

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