Off topic: Electric Fireplace

[countrybumpkin]

Hi all. A bit off topic here. Looking for an electric fireplace to put in the house.

Going in to this blind. Any suggestions or things I should know while looking??

Looking for something that looks simple, no logs. Controllable heat and light.

Thanks!

 

[Climatecreator]

Something like this?

https://amzn.to/2yrtFdC

So many styles, anything more specific?

CC

 

[countrybumpkin]

Like this. I'm new to electric heaters.

Definitely wall mount. Low operating ccost is my number one concern.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

"Low Operating Cost"

It's essentially a resistance electric heater. Some of the energy is being used to create the visual "fire" effect...but not much...so you could "assume" 100% efficiency and be close.

Which means it will cost about 4 times as much to operate as a good heat pump.

Comparisons to other fuel sources would require knowing how much you are paying for power vs competitive fuels.

Resistance electric heat, is typically the most expensive way to heat anything. Whether you're talking about electric fireplaces, baseboard resistance heaters, standalone resistance heaters, "Amish Built" resistance heaters, forced air resistance heaters, or even those "emergency" heat strip resistance heaters you have in most heat pump systems....they are all "meter spinners" and have high operating costs. High being 4 or 5 times as much as other choices.

Phil

 

[Done That]

I bought a $150 ebay special a couple of years ago for a basement guest bedroom. It's roughly the size fo a 42" TV, has two levels of heat, and like 8 different colors. It can be used with the colors & fake flame only, no heat on, just for ambiance. Has manual operators on the unit, as well as a remote.

I was about 3/4 of the way thru this quick project to make a surround when I snapped this pic. It looks nice in person, and is perfect for a touch of extra heat in this guest room. Only issue with the one I bought was a pretty chincy remote, and it was a no name company so I knew parts would be hard to get in the future. I bought an inexpensive learning remote that was much better quality and cloned the operation, so now I have a spare for in the future if the cheapo one dies.

There is little to go wrong inside them. The fake flames come from a small motor driving a roller foil strip cartridge with a light shining on it. The heat is just strip heaters with an electric fan. I'm sure some higher end ones have more elaborate guts.

For looks and a bit of added heat in a room I think they are nice. If I was doing a unit like your picture in a family room I would spend some coin and get some name brand that has good reviews.

My $0.02

 

[rpcraft]

I have a blank wall in the far side of my living room I was looking at having some kind of mantel and this looks like a nice option to add for a functional purpose as well. I've seen some of them have infrared panels and wonder if anyone has any experience as to how efficient that is compared to the old resistance strips..