Electric Fireplaces: A Modern Hearth Solution for Your Home

For home and business owners looking to elevate their space with a fireplace, electric models may well be one of the most popular options for a number of reasons. They modernize the hearth experience, using technological innovations to provide exceptional quality and design options that aren't possible with more traditional fireplace solutions. Their recent popularity has led to a significant increase in brands looking to capitalize on the trend, which can make it a challenge to find a high quality, reliable electric fire feature.

Fortunately, Fireplaces Direct has combed the electronic fireplace industry to select a collection of only the very best brands, ensuring that any electric fireplace for sale on our site is one that can be counted on to last for many years and provide a truly top notch experience. We take pride in curating our inventory to represent the highest quality brands and manufacturers of home hearth solutions. To make your purchasing decision easier, we've collected some helpful info below.

Why Buy an Electric Fireplace

While some may call them "fake fireplaces" or "artificial fireplaces", electric units provide absolutely real benefits to those who choose to add them to their home or business. Their recent growing popularity shows that many consumers are selecting them over other options. While each customer's needs will vary, we find that many who purchase electric fireplaces do so for one or more of the following reasons:

• Convenience - While a traditional wood or gas fireplace will require ventilation, which can be difficult or costly to install, electric fireplaces do not. Many can be installed and operated with no additional work by the homeowner and are up and running within just minutes of opening the box. Even if you choose an electric in-wall fireplace that has to be framed in, the installation will take a fraction of the time and effort.
  
  This convenience also extends to their day to day use. Starting a log fire in your wood-burning fireplace takes a certain amount of skill and time, and lighting a gas fireplace requires turning on the fuel supply and potentially a pilot light. Electric fireplaces, on the other hand, can be controlled with just a touch of a button, and many units include a remote as well.
• Versatility - Sometimes you want the ambiance of a flame but not the heat it provides, which isn't possible with other fireplace types. Electric fireplaces are generally designed such that the flame effects and heating element can be controlled separately, allowing them to function as a decorative piece or a standard space heater with ease.
• Technology - Hearth manufacturers have been innovating on all fronts for decades, but nowhere is this more apparent than in the electric fireplace market. They are able to produce more lively, realistic looking flames than ever before and many include features like timers, multi-color LED fireplace displays and variable heat blowers for customizable comfort.

What to Consider When Buying an Electric Fireplace

We carry only the best fireplaces in the industry, but that doesn't mean that every item on our site will work for every application. Finding the right electric fireplace for your space and needs will require a bit of forethought and planning to select the best unit for you. To ensure you make the right choice, we recommend keeping the following factors in mind while shopping:

• Installation Type - First you'll want to decide how you'd like to install your new hearth. We carry electric fireplaces in the following form factors:
• Wall Mount - These are some of the simplest designs to integrate into your home. These electric fireplaces mount to the wall, usually with a mounting plate that attaches through drywall to the underlying studs to provide stability. Many feature a standard plug, but some are also hardwired to your home's electrical system.
• Built-In - A built-in electric fireplace will need to be framed into the wall, which does make the installation a bit more labor intensive and potentially costly. The upside is that they save additional space and provide a more polished, permanent look. Built-in electric fireplaces are almost universally hardwired, so you may need to hire an electrician as well.
• Inserts - Electric fireplace inserts are perfect for those looking to upgrade or repurpose an existing fireplace opening. They are designed to slot right into your current hearth and rejuvenate them for the future. These will generally also be hardwired.
• TV Stands - While a TV may be the centerpiece of your living room or family room, it's easy to pair it with an electric fireplace when you choose one of these TV stands. They have the added utility of providing storage for media, books or decorative items as well. These will almost always use a standard plug.
• Mantel Packages - If you'd like to have the traditional look of a fireplace hearth but don't currently have a mantel, then an electric fireplace mantel package is the way to go. These complete units feature both the electric fireplace and decorative mantel for easy installation. Some will be hardwired in, while some will use a standard plug.
• Size/Shape - We carry electric fireplaces in a variety of sizes to suit various spaces. Whether you're looking for a small or large electric fireplace, Fireplaces Direct has you covered. We also carry a huge selection of both traditional and linear electric fireplaces to meet the needs of most home and business owners.
• Features - With the wide selection in our inventory, there's almost certainly a fireplace that has the exact set of features you're looking for. Keep an eye out for any of these if they sound appealing to you: remote or Bluetooth control functionality, multi-color flame patterns, integrated timers, blower boosted heating and built-in music speakers, just to name a few.
• Price - Because we carry only the best of the best, our prices do tend toward the higher end of the market, but we still offer electric fireplaces for a range of budgets. It's also important to keep in mind that you're investing in a quality product that's sure to last longer than a cheap unit from a big box store, saving you money in the long run.
• Design - Electric fireplaces offer the most diverse range of styles and appearances in the fireplace market. Some of them are modeled to simulate the look of a real wood-burning fireplace, with an integrated realistic log set and red/orange flames, while others lean the opposite direction, taking advantage of the technology of the medium to provide truly modern look with glass media and multi-colored flame design.