About Chimney-Free Electric Fireplaces

Chimney free electric fireplaces are those where no fire actually burns. The illusion of a fire in an electric heater allows for the look and feel of a fireplace without having to have a chimney. There is no danger of burns from popping logs, smoke or cleaning maintenance.

Secondary Heating Source

Chimney-free electric fireplaces are not meant to be the sole source of heat for an entire structure. They are billed and advertised as supplemental only. That means they are meant only to be an additional source of heat. They will really only heat one room.

Types

There are two major types of chimney-free electric fireplaces. The stand alone variety that is simply plugged in and turned off and on, and those that are hard wired into the home's design, such as an insert. The plug and play variety can be moved about the house into different rooms, while the alternative is stationary.

Cost

Electric fireplaces cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands. The larger and more elaborate the fireplace, the more costly. Smaller sized units are simpler in design and most often with less illumination. The large units resemble a real fireplace, complete with decorative mantle and “burning” logs and embers.

Safety

With a chimney-free electric fireplace, there is no danger of burning embers getting caught in the chimney and catching the house on fire. There is also no fire danger from burning logs popping out of the fireplace. As long as it was manufactured to safety codes, there is little chance of fire. However, safety precautions should be taken around anything that produces heat or uses electricity. Never let children or pets touch or sit too close to a fire. Shut it off when no one is home, and keep flammable objects away from heating and power components.