How to choose a fireplace: an electric fireplace in the interior. Decorative fireplaces for an apartment: which one to choose How to choose an electric fireplace for an apartment
A real fireplace is a luxury that not everyone can afford. In some premises, for example, apartments, you will not be allowed to establish fire safety standards and many other rules. In addition, it is an expensive design both in installation and maintenance. But sometimes you really want to give your home extra comfort! Electric fireplaces with the effect of live fire will help you with this. They are safe and practical. How to choose the right electric fireplace?
Features of electric fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are infrared electric heaters of directional radiation. The design of the device includes a body made of wood, plastic or metal and a reflector with a heater placed at the focus. The principle of heating is as follows: turning on the fireplace ensures that air is reflected from the inner walls, which creates a heating effect. Heat is directed forward without dissipating to the sides.
Many models of electric fireplaces fit easily into the interior of the room and do not take up space.
The advantages of electric fireplaces are as follows:
- compactness and lightness (weight is about 50 kg);
- starts heating immediately and in the required quantity;
- no chimney, pipes or ventilation are required, such a device does not emit carbon monoxide and carcinogenic compounds;
- the operation of the electric fireplace is easily regulated by several heating modes;
- the built-in thermostat maintains a constant temperature in the room, eliminating the overexpenditure of electricity; thanks to the fan, heating is accelerated;
- fireproof, the surfaces almost do not heat up, so there is no risk that you will get burned;
- can be placed anywhere where there is access to an outlet: in the middle of the room, close to the wall, etc.;
- aesthetic characteristics allow you to choose an electric fireplace for any interior.
In addition, electric fireplaces are quite inexpensive.
Of course, this device has some drawbacks. For example, to connect it, you will need a separate power line, since the wiring may not withstand such a load and the machines will constantly knock out. In addition, you need to regularly ventilate the room in which the fireplace is located, because oxygen is burned during its operation.
Heating power
Most models of electric fireplaces are energy-saving, their power is no more than 2 kW. This is enough to effectively heat a room up to 20 square meters. A separate power line in this case may not be needed.
But a decorative device that does not provide space heating consumes from 100 to 200 watts.
Note! If you still choose an electric fireplace model with a power of 2 kW or more, be sure to check the quality of the wiring. Consider the maximum allowable load on the network, especially in old houses and in rural areas.
Flame
The realism of the flame can have several levels, and this significantly affects the price.
Fake coals or logs are made of colored glass or transparent painted plastic. Illuminating bulbs are built into them. Smoldering is provided with the help of reflective screens. These budget models do not look very realistic, they only simulate smoldering, and not a full-fledged fire.
Often a fire in an electric fireplace is imitated with the help of artificial logs.
In expensive models that imitate flames, the effect is provided by complex systems of reflective mirrors, strips of foil or silk ribbons. This helps to achieve maximum realism.
Instrument classification
Before buying an electric fireplace, decide where it will be installed. There are several types of devices, and each of them has its own design features.
Floor
Floor device - the most democratic solution. It will not require you to do any facing work, or install a portal, frames and niches. The design is simple and mobile, it can be placed anywhere in the room at will.
Outdoor electric fireplaces are of two types:
- attached - they are placed close to the wall (frontal) or in a corner (corner);
- free-standing - placed anywhere.
Floor electric fireplaces are ideal for small spaces, in particular small apartments. In summer, you can remove the device so that it does not interfere with your movement.
Photo gallery of outdoor fireplaces
White side electric fireplace Black side electric fireplace Side fireplace Attached electric fireplace Triangular Freestanding Fireplace Rectangular freestanding fireplace
Attachments
Such an electric fireplace is mounted directly on the wall or in it. Outwardly, it looks like a thin plasma TV. Its main distinguishing feature is its decorative effect. In addition to its direct purpose (heating a small room), it can serve as a lighting fixture.
You can opt for this device if only the visual effect is important to you.
Photo gallery of wall-mounted electric fireplaces
Black wall-mounted electric fireplace in a light purple interior Black wall-mounted electric fireplace in a room decorated in red and white White wall-mounted electric fireplace in a bright room White wall-mounted electric fireplace in the interior
Embedded devices
To install it, you should first prepare a niche in the wall or even make a portal that imitates a real fireplace. Suitable for this:
- metal;
- stone;
- tree;
- ceramics;
- drywall.
Thanks to this design, you can create the illusion of a country house even in an apartment.
A built-in electric fireplace will require the installation of a portal, but it completely imitates a real hearth
A built-in fireplace, like a floor-standing one, can serve not only for decorative purposes, but also for space heating. The main condition: the thickness of the walls of the fireplace portal must be at least 30 cm. For small apartments, this may not be a suitable option.
Rules for choosing a fireplace for different rooms
In order for the electric fireplace to produce maximum efficiency, it is very important to install it correctly. In this case, the purpose and type of the room should be taken into account, that is, where it will be located - in a house, apartment or in the country.
So, in a private house, a heating system (stove, gas heating, etc.) is provided, so the heating functions of an electric fireplace are optional. You can easily get by with decorative models to decorate living rooms with them. Don't forget to consider the size of the room.
For example, in the living room, it is better to place an electric fireplace near a wall perpendicular to the windows. This is an ideal place both from an engineering and design point of view. In a large room, a built-in appliance will look good, which will require a niche or portal. Whereas for a small room, a wall-mounted one is better suited, which, unlike the floor one, will not take up space and will not get in the way under your feet.
Choose a model of electric fireplace depending on the size of the room and its purpose
Is it worth it to take care of choosing an electric fireplace for a summer residence? Certainly worth it, especially if you use it for frequent living, and not just during the gardening season. In a large country house with spacious rooms, you can install an electric fireplace that completely imitates the hearth both visually and technically. However, the ideal would be a floor device that can be placed anywhere in the room, moved to the terrace or taken with you when you have to leave the cottage for the winter.
Video review of electric fireplaces
Properly selected electric fireplace will help you transform your home, give it comfort. We hope our advice will help you make the right choice. Let us know in the comments what you think of these handy and practical devices. Good luck to you!
A large number of owners of country houses and ordinary apartments are thinking about choosing an electric fireplace. Today, there are a sufficient number of models of electric fireplaces on the market, and that is why it becomes difficult to choose the right model.
When choosing, you need to be very careful and understand well why you need it and how it will be used. If you plan to operate it for space heating, then you definitely need to look at the power of the model you like. The best option is 1000 watts of power per 10 square meters of space. Do not forget that an incorrect selection of the cross section of the supply wire can lead to heating and ignition as a result of a short circuit. It is better to implement power for the fireplace in the form of a separate electrical wiring, and use a separate, automatic one as a switch.
Types of fireplaces
Due to their compactness, they can be installed in various positions. There are three main types of electric fireplaces according to the installation method.
floor standing- they are completely mobile, do not need cladding, niche, fireplace portals, they are simple in design. Ideal for small spaces, apartments and offices. They are divided into two subspecies.
Attached(front or corner) - installed close to the wall or in the corner. Freestanding(like a stove-"potbelly stove") - they can be placed even in the center of the room.
hinged, or wall an electric fireplace is a stylish solution that practically does not “eat up” free space. Individual models can be mounted directly into the wall and they will pleasantly heat a small room and illuminate it along the way. Suitable for very small rooms, mainly as an element of decor.
Embedded electric fireplace. The most labor-intensive in terms of installation. It is installed either in a pre-prepared niche in the wall, or in a special fireplace portal, imitating a classic fireplace with great accuracy. In the external decoration of built-in fireplaces, many materials are used: stone, wood, metal or ceramics. This allows you to install fireplaces of this kind in country houses, hotels, large apartments, halls and other spacious rooms.
Functions of electric fireplaces
The interior of any apartment should be not only beautiful, but also functional. Therefore, when deciding how to choose an electric fireplace, it is necessary to pay attention not only to its appearance, but also to its functionality. A modern electric fireplace in an apartment can have the following functions:
- remote electronic control;
- imitation of burning wood in several modes;
- various portal lighting options;
- sound accompaniment;
- on and off timer;
- the ability to select the operating mode (with or without heating);
- air humidification function combined with smoke effect (steam generator);
- possibility of air ionization.
Some models have all of these features, or most of them, and some have only a few. The price of an electric fireplace depends on this. Therefore, when deciding which electric fireplace in the interior of the living room will look better, it is important to pay attention to the affordability of the chosen model at a cost. In addition, an important parameter when choosing an electric fireplace is its power and energy consumption.
Connecting an electric fireplace
Some fireplaces are enough to bring, put and plug into the outlet. Others require several stages of preparatory work.
Common to all flame models is that their connection does not require the creation of an additional foundation and the construction of a chimney, therefore, everything is much simpler than when building a brick version with a natural flame.
The preparatory work also includes the creation of a decorative or supporting portal for the fireplace. Typically, those developers who install fiery fireplaces at the same time as finishing the room pay their attention to such models of fireplaces.
But sometimes you have to create a portal in an operated residential area. All these subtleties of installation and connection must be considered when choosing a model.
Hinged fireplaces require reliable fastening, as they sometimes have quite a lot of weight. Since fireplaces are often hung on internal partitions, it should be noted that for fastening to plasterboard partitions, reinforcement of the wall frame structure is required; it is impossible to fasten to a sheet of drywall.
simulated flame
The aesthetic function of an electric fireplace is realized by imitating natural fire, which flickers comfortably on its screen. Manufacturers' approaches to creating a "home" atmosphere vary, which affects the final price of the device.
A popular option is in which the interior space is filled with fake logs or coal. They are usually made of transparent plastic or glass. The smoldering effect is created by light bulbs or LEDs; reflective screens help them in this. This solution does not create the full illusion of a blazing fireplace, since the flame is not implemented.
In more expensive models, strips of silk or foil are used, which move gently, forming a complete picture of a burning hearth. Elite electric fireplaces use real coal, the stacked “firewood” seems to be at different stages of “burning” - from barely smoldering to engulfed in flames. Sparks run through the wood, the ashes play with all colors, the coals either cool down, or again become red-hot.
Before buying, ask the seller to turn it on at full capacity. With maximum illumination, the slightest defects and the level of realism will immediately become noticeable, and you will be able to make a final purchase decision.
Would you like to have an undeniably beautiful decorative item in your interior? Then our article about electric fireplaces for an apartment is exactly what you need! Functionality and ease of installation are closely intertwined with the beauty and elegance of fireplaces.
No matter what they tell you about the exoticism of such an item as an electric fireplace, know that only you are able to feel whether you need it in your beloved home or not. In various magazines and newspapers, electric fireplaces for an apartment can be seen quite often. It is there that you can peep what fantasies the rich of this world introduce into life. What are you worse? If you have such an opportunity and the living space allows, then you can safely proceed to the choice of model.
Regardless of whether your house has central heating or you use AGV, you can safely count on such a novelty of our time as an electric fireplace.
Many of us have come across such an architectural element of the past in the homes of our grandparents. Cities with more than a hundred years of history allow us to take a closer look at those fireplaces that were installed many years ago. Decades later, things have become much easier. Without a chimney and matches, without smoke and fire as such, you can enjoy the sight of a beautiful flame and dream, rejoicing in moments of calm.
Living fire, coming into our house, brings comfort and a feeling of happiness. At the same time, you do not have to worry about a fire breaking out or an urgent need to run for firewood for your hearth.
Well, for those who decided to assemble an electric fireplace in the apartment with their own hands, we can immediately confirm that you can handle the installation yourself. Installing an electric fireplace in an apartment is a labor-intensive and simple process.
Decided to choose? Then take a look at the options!
Let's start with dimensions. Depending on the size of your room and the available space, you can order a fireplace with a firebox and a portal of different sizes. If you want something non-standard, you can order a tall and narrow fireplace, or vice versa, a low and wide fireplace. However, everyone has his own vision of what a fireplace should be in his house.
The electric fireplace can be installed as a TV stand or with opening (double) doors. The color is also offered to choose from: chestnut, oak, cherry - the frame can be made of wood. If you want, choose a corner or front option. Some details in the design of the electric fireplace can be handmade. Often, an electric fireplace is paired with a mirror.
Everyone wants to get an attractive attribute of your living room, near which you can sit in the evenings and drink tea or coffee, watching the flickering light. At the same time, anyone can install such beauty (as, for example,) in their home if desired. Previously, large fireplace rooms were created for these purposes, now it can also be placed in a medium-sized room. Such fireplaces are conducive to communication and help to relax. In addition to spiritual warmth, this accessory also gives real warmth. It can heat the room and raise the temperature of the air in the room to a comfortable one.
The effect of a real flickering flame and embers, as noted by psychotherapists, allows you to relax and take a break from the daily bustle. It is on such evenings that all family members can gather together by the fireplace. This attribute will fit into your interior so well that you yourself will be pleasantly surprised. To date, these products are produced in different styles, so there will be plenty to choose from. Another plus is that you do not need to build a chimney or connect a fireplace to it. If desired, you can rearrange the fireplace in another room. Well, one of the most pleasant features is that you can use it all year round. In summer, you simply won’t need to turn on the heating function, but in winter you will feel warm on yourself and will enjoy a burning (albeit fake) flame all seasons.
You can also note the cost-effectiveness of this device. Electricity costs are about the same as when using an electric kettle. When choosing for a home, you can buy an open or closed version, as well as decide on its varieties - it can be desktop, floor, wall or universal.
This rather elegant appliance does not need any firewood, coals, or special fireplace mixtures and, accordingly, you do not have to smear yourself with soot and soot when cleaning it, and even more so climb, as in the old days, into a narrow chimney . Also, you do not need redevelopment and large funds for construction.
Install in 30 minutes? It's real. How it is quite realistic to move the electric fireplace from place to place. The only condition is the presence of an outlet. It is desirable, of course, that it be near the installation site. Considering that the developers took care of using a thermostat, there should not be any extra power consumption. And even more so, if you do not use the heating function all year round, then energy consumption will be quite insignificant.
How to connect an electric fireplace - first you need to find a place in the apartment for your new electrical appliance. After that, insert the hearth (it must come separately in the package) into the fireplace niche. Now you should install the protective frame and the front of the panel (if provided). After that, we move the finished electric fireplace and install it where it will stand, and turn it on.
- An electric fireplace for the home is a necessary thing, but you still won’t use it around the clock. In this connection, it is imperative to disconnect this device from the network in case of its long downtime. The whole day the electric fireplace can be turned off, and in the evening it will again delight you with its beauty.
- In the event of a malfunction, it is advisable to give it to the master for verification.
- Such a device, like any similar device, requires regular cleaning and replacement of light bulbs.
- A fireplace, which is only a hearth-insert, can be mounted into your wall without much effort. Some designers offer, in the presence of an old surviving fireplace, to combine the details of the two devices. Or it is possible to come up with your own version of the design (there are plenty of materials and options for framing such products).
- When mounted directly into the wall, such a hearth will need to be inserted into a niche directly from the room (on the other hand, you simply will not succeed).
- As with a front (traditional) fireplace, it is not difficult to install a corner fireplace. However, when installing products, the manufacturer still advises to build a frame for your hearth, preferably from wooden blocks. This will provide ventilation and ease of cleaning and maintenance.
- When connecting the fireplace, you must also have access to easy disconnection from the mains (the socket should not be hidden behind cabinets, which will be difficult to access).
- Despite the fire safety of the device, it must still be taken into account that voltage drops, power outages, problems with traffic jams and the possibility of spontaneous combustion from a spark are possible. Check the electrical wiring.
How did electric fireplaces appear in apartments and private houses? Back in the second half of the last century, the first electric fireplaces were talked about in England. It was here that novelties appeared that replaced traditional fireplaces with chimneys. In England, such a household item has always been valued, which was often a kind of symbol of the family's wealth. Now the popularity of the electric fireplace is high in different countries of the world.
The only drawback of the new version of the fireplace is the inability to move the coals of burnt wood with an iron rod, hear their crackle and smell the fire. However, in addition to simulating fire, many manufacturers have also thought of an option with aromatherapy (you can feel, for example, the smell of pine needles) and with sound (hear the crackling of firewood from a special speaker). Another thing is that it will be just an imitation of familiar processes.
By and large, such a device is a conventional infrared electric heater of directional radiation. After turning on the fireplace, the air in it begins to be reflected from the inner walls and at the same time creates a heating effect. Heat waves do not scatter to the sides, but are directed forward.
For the similarity of the operation of the device with a conventional fireplace, not only decorations that are illuminated by lamps are used, but also mirror panels, as well as various novelties of modern technologies (and even plasma). The heating moment is also thought out (there is an electric spiral and a reflector). A number of models are specially equipped with fans. At the same time, the body of the device itself practically does not heat up, which allows not only to touch it without fear of getting burned, but also to hang an electric fireplace on the wall (like a picture or a plasma TV).
For those who are afraid of fires and value their apartment, we add that all electric fireplaces are equipped with such a device as a thermostat. And if the air temperature in the room nevertheless "goes off scale", then the heating function will be suspended forcibly. There are models in which you can control the thermal regime with the help of a remote control (a power of 1–2 kW is enough for you to heat rooms of 20 square meters). The remote will also allow you to adjust the brightness and intensity of your electric fire.
The choice in our time is great - these are classic or modern models, more like ordinary fireplaces or in hi-tech style, wide or narrow, high or low, with or without a decorative portal, in a colonial style or in some other. You can choose both fireboxes and finishing details yourself.
- The most common are low-budget models with a width of 50–55 cm, a height of 60–65 cm and a depth of 14–26 cm. If you still want to install a large electric fireplace, then try to avoid bulkiness. Especially if the room is already full of various household items. For a large electric fireplace, the room must also be large enough.
- Consider the peculiarity of the assembly - when choosing a frame for your hearth, it is important that the depth of the portal itself is equal to the depth of the built-in hearth. Many users assure that the deeper the screen is set, the more realistic the flame effect is. Well, in order to surely feel the bliss, as from the work of a real fireplace, your electric one can be beaten with the presence of such accessories as a poker, matches, firewood or coal.
- The material of the product also depends on you - it will be wood or plastic, tiling or brick cladding. You decide whether to “embed” the fireplace into the wall or hang it like a picture.
- Domestic models are much cheaper than foreign ones. They mainly supply electric fireplaces from Germany, Ireland and the UK.
If you are ready to choose, then we wish you to enjoy all the delights of the aristocratic product you have chosen - an electric fireplace!
A fireplace is a real luxury in a home. Its presence adds chic and wealth. And most importantly, it is the creation of a cozy homely atmosphere. But, not everyone has the opportunity to equip their home with such an attribute of the interior. Firstly, even where there is the possibility of arranging a natural fireplace, this is a rather painstaking and expensive pleasure. Secondly, in an ordinary apartment, the possibility of installing it is limited.
However, don't deprive yourself of the fun. Now there is a great alternative - electric fireplaces. In addition to aesthetic pleasure, it usually serves to heat the room. In order to understand how to choose an electric fireplace, it is worth considering in more detail their types and characteristics.
Types of electric fireplaces
Electric fireplaces have been successfully in demand for a long time, so there is a wide choice depending on the manufacturer, mechanism of operation, design, and the like, and choosing the one is not so easy. If the task arose to buy a modern artificial fireplace, then you should know how they differ from each other.
According to the principle of work
In addition to decorating the room, the electric fireplace also performs the function of a heater. According to the principle of this function, they are divided into:
- Spiral - heat comes from a heated spiral. However, the level of its heating can be critically high and this causes overdrying of the air and a decrease in the level of moisture in the room.
- Infrared - heating in this way has a mild effect. This type does not affect the state of the microclimate, does not burn oxygen. Therefore, it is considered to be predominant.
By installation method
- Electric furnace. Freestanding fireplace. Style may vary. However, its main advantage is its portability. Easily moves around the room without any extra effort. Usually it has a stove body and looks quite impressive in a home interior.
- Hearth. This is a frameless type of electric fireplace. Such a device is easy and convenient to build in any place. Usually such a place for him is a portal, a niche, a wall. A very successful type for any design decision. It can be framed for every style.
- Wall electric fireplace. This is a very simple and concise solution for a home fireplace. It is compact, mounted by mounting on the wall, like a plasma TV. If you prefer this type of fireplace, then you can install it yourself without any problems.
- Built-in fireplace. This electric fireplace is difficult to distinguish from a living one. It produces such an effect through a visual recess in a niche or portal. That is, this electrical device needs a mandatory frame. Quite a good option, because it can be used in any style. Interesting design solutions are mounting it in furniture or a wall.
Varieties
All types of fireplaces, except for electric stoves, require a good frame (portal, niche). In stores, you can pick up a case specifically for the type of electric fireplace. In this regard, there are many options that will satisfy every taste.
You can also make a portal yourself. It is not very difficult and the costs are low. However, if you have your own view on the arrangement of the fireplace, then with the help of improvised means (drywall, decor) and imagination, you will make the original fireplace of your dreams.
By the effect of a living flame
Electric fireplaces for a house or apartment should be chosen taking into account how realistic they reproduce a live flame. Manufacturers in this sense are progressing. In particular, it is possible to buy a fireplace equipped with different mechanisms:
- The "flame" effect is reproduced by fluctuating red stripes and foil.
- Flame - reproduced by the image on the screen and the sound of firewood crackling.
- Built-in fragrance, which adds naturalness due to the smell of burnt firewood.
- Steam electric fireplace. Such a mechanism most realistically reproduces the glare of the flame. This happens due to halogens - yellow and red backlighting in combination with steam. In addition, it does not dry at all, but rather moisturizes the air.
Advantages and disadvantages of electric fireplaces
Like a real fireplace, an electric fireplace has its pros and cons.
pros
- A great way to improve the design, make the room stylish. In addition, they are quite safe and do not require additional care like a natural fireplace. For example, the owners are deprived of the burden of cleaning it from soot after each ignition.
- Easy installation. In most cases, it just needs to be plugged into an outlet. Does not require excessive preparation of a place for a fireplace: base, stove, hood.
- Safe. They do not heat nearby interior items and do not heat up themselves.
- Price. Buying a decorative fireplace is much cheaper than installing a natural version.
- New models of electric fireplaces are able to convey the effect of fire in a very natural way, which is difficult to distinguish from the real one.
- This type is unpretentious in care, unlike the wood version.
- Does not require additional funds. Works from the mains, while a real fireplace needs a constant supply of firewood.
- Not only decorates the interior, but also is a means of heating.
Flaws
- The reproduction of the flame, although as close as possible to the real one, is not a natural fire.
- The fireplace itself consumes little electricity, but when the heating function is connected, consumption increases significantly.
How to choose
When choosing an electric fireplace, it matters for what purpose you purchase it. If only for interior decoration, then you will only be interested in its design and reproduction quality. But if you are also interested in its practical aspects, then you should carefully approach the choice. In any case, in order for this attribute in the house to bring aesthetic pleasure and be practical, pay attention to the following points.
- Power. Not all artificial fireplaces have a heating function. Therefore, if you need it, find out if it is provided for in the electric fireplace you have chosen and what kind of power (what area it can heat).
- Options. Choose an electric fireplace according to the dimensions of the room. Do not choose a giant fireplace in a small area room. So you only emphasize its modest space.
- Style. The main thing is that it harmoniously blends into the existing interior: it emphasizes and complements.
- Find out the possibility of separating the functions of simulating a flame of fire and heating. And also, the ability to control the heating power.
- Backlight. There are models that provide for the possibility of its regulation: brighter, dimmer.
- Sound. Can be built into the fireplace or missing. Ask about the availability of this function in the selected model or about the possibility of embedding it additionally.
- The best option with a humidifier. Such a fireplace reproduces a flame very realistically, and at the same time is an air humidifier.
- Framing. To do this, there are various materials, both natural and artificial options. True, marble and wood will be more expensive, and plastic is cheaper. Choose an affordable option, but make sure it's safe.
Choice of interior style
Style is the main issue when choosing a fireplace. After all, with its help you want to make your home elegant, with a beautiful design. To do this, use the general recommendations.
- If the design of the room is classic, choose the same frame for the electric fireplace. It is better to make it rectangular. Modeling, marble is best suited as a material for framing.
- The effect of gold is successful for baroque.
- For a living room or office, successfully equip the English style. In this case, the portal for the fireplace can be decorated with wood boards.
- Stone (natural or artificial) can be successfully used to equip a country-style fireplace.
- If this is a loft style, then the brick is simply irreplaceable.
- Ceramic framing will successfully emphasize the epic.
An electric fireplace is, of course, not a real fireplace and the effort required to install it is incomparably less. But still, you should carefully approach the choice so that his presence in the house seems integral and creates a positive atmosphere.
A fireplace for a modern person is certainly more than just a heating device. The view of an open fire is fascinating, you can look at it for hours, indulging in reflections. That is why, despite the rich choice of modern heating technology, there are few who would not like to have this symbol of the hearth in their home, even if it is an ordinary city apartment. The construction of a real fireplace is fraught with certain difficulties, and in principle this is not possible in all rooms. Currently, a large selection of electric fireplaces is provided, from which you can choose a device for both home and apartment or for summer cottages. This article contains a short overview of these devices, which will help answer the question of how to choose an electric fireplace for an apartment and which one is better in terms of power, firm, and functionality.
Heating element type
In terms of design, an electric fireplace is still a heating device. The choice of the type of heating elements that the electric fireplace is equipped with can be in favor of closed or open. A closed type element, usually a tubular electric heater (TEH), it can also be a special source of infrared radiation.
The open heating elements are ordinary spirals made of highly resistant alloys. An open spiral is usually used in cheaper, as a rule, already outdated models. Such an electric fireplace dries the air more actively and burns out the oxygen contained in it.
The most environmentally friendly choice is an electric fireplace that uses infrared heating. Such an electric heater produces heating with radiant energy, due to which, first of all, interior items and walls are heated, and not the air of the room itself. It is preferable to choose such an electric fireplace, since with infrared heating the apartment will have a healthier atmosphere.
In the Fornax catalog you can see photos and find out the detailed characteristics of electric fireplaces for home heating.
Installation method
According to the method of installation in the room, the electric fireplace can be classified into one of the following types:
Power consumption
Since the electric fireplace is a heater, one of its main characteristics is the electric power of the device. In this regard, you can choose any product, starting from miniature models that emit practically no heat and perform only decorative functions, to full-sized fireplaces, which can be used to heat a city apartment or part of a residential building. Such an electric fireplace can be selected with a power of up to several kilowatts.
To choose the right power of an electric fireplace, we recommend that you follow the following ratio: for heating 10 square meters of a room, you need at least 1 kW of power. Those. for a bedroom or a living room, it is recommended to choose a model with a power of at least 1.5 kW, if the electric fireplace is chosen for the purpose of heating the room, and not just for decoration.
Decorative functions and decoration
The external design of the device can imitate a classic antique fireplace, decorated with stucco and painted tiles, a choice can be made in modern or techno style. In some cases, when the apartment is decorated in a certain style, you can decorate the electric fireplace with separately purchased elements, creating it to match the interior, as shown in the photo below:
There is one important property, thanks to which an electric fireplace looks so much like a real wood-burning one, and from which the apartment is transformed. This is an imitation with the effect of a live flame. There is also a large selection of options available. We list the main methods of imitation used in modern electric fireplaces.
Reproducing the effect of burning with pieces of cloth. Shreds of matter, when blown by a fan, make movements resembling flames. The choice of special lighting enhances the similarity of the process with combustion. Under the "flame" are usually dummies of logs.
In more modern and expensive models, the image of logs burning in the hearth is reproduced on liquid crystal displays. The effect is enhanced by the use of special optics. At a certain viewing angle, the image is almost impossible to distinguish from a real flame. True, such an electric fireplace also has disadvantages due to the peculiarities of liquid crystal monitors, namely, a small angle at which you can view without distorting the picture.
Imitation of a flame with trickles of water vapor, illuminated by halogen lamps. This is the most modern high-tech way. An ultrasonic frequency generator is built into the electric fireplace, which produces low-temperature water vapor. Rising streams of steam with special illumination cannot be distinguished from natural fire, moreover, the effect is voluminous and can be observed in any direction.
In addition to the use of visual effects, sound reproduction is used, which accompanies the burning of logs with a characteristic crackle. A special device built into the electric fireplace spreads the smell of wood resin and smoldering logs in the room.
Additional features
It is important when choosing an electric fireplace for an apartment or a house to pay attention to the additional functionality that the device may have. In 2017, electric fireplaces can be equipped with the following features and accessories:
- humidification and air purification;
- heating temperature controller;
- shutdown timer;
- backlight;
- the ability to control from the remote control;
- adjustment of the height of the flame and the brightness of the glow;
- sound accompaniment at work;
- imitation of the smell of smoke during operation;
- multimedia portal;
- 3D hearth.
Top Producers
Well, the last thing I would like to talk about is which electric fireplace is better to choose by company in 2017. In terms of manufacturers, the following brands are leading the market:
- Dimplex (Ireland). One of the best manufacturers today.
- Electrolux (Sweden). Good quality at an affordable price. Large range of models.
- Burley (Great Britain).
- Hark (Germany).
- ClassicFlame (China).
- Gold Star (China).
- Scarlett (China).
Summing up
So, what should be guided by in order to choose the right electric fireplace in terms of parameters? Let's dwell on some points that should be considered before choosing an electric fireplace:
- Power. You need to choose a model based on what functions are assigned to an electric fireplace. If the apartment is to be heated by the device, the required power must be selected based on the cubic capacity or area of \u200b\u200bthe room.
- Dimensions. The main thing is that the electric fireplace can be conveniently placed in the living room or bedroom.
- Designer style. It is important here what design the apartment has.
- Useful functions are the choice of heating intensity and brightness of the flame.
- It is preferable to choose a model with functions of humidification and aromatization of air.
Now you know how to choose an electric fireplace for an apartment and which one is better in terms of power, manufacturer, and additional parameters. We hope that the tips provided were useful for you and helped you choose the right model!