There’s nothing like cozying up in front of the fireplace. Whether you’re settling in with a good book, a new baby, or a slice of cake, fireplaces add a level of comfort to a home that’s unmatched by other appliances. Welcoming but hassle-free, here are 10 great reasons to choose an electric fireplace over a wood-burning one.
1. Convenience of plug-and-play
Electric fireplaces are easy to set up. Just like an electric space heater or a heated blanket, they’re designed to be plug-and-play devices. There’s no learning curve to using them, and they’re just as easy to turn off as they are to turn on. They easily win the electric fireplace vs wood burning fireplace battle when it comes to convenience!
2. Safety, smoke, and fire risk
Another major reason why people choose electric fireplaces over wood-burning ones is safety. Electric fireplaces work like heaters or digital displays. They create a wonderful focal point and can provide heat (if their heating function is turned on), but they’re very controlled.
With an electric fireplace, you’ll find cool-touch surfaces, auto-shutoff functionality, and no more fire risk than that of a space heater or hair dryer. They don’t come with the same smoke, fire, or spark risk as a wood-burning fireplace, making them a safer fireplace for the home—and a big improvement for people with asthma or other lung conditions.
Not only are electric fireplaces the safer option when it comes to fire safety, but they can also be the safer option in homes with residents who are a fall or injury risk. Recessed wall mount electric fireplaces lie almost completely flush to the wall, and all of their cords are tucked within their wall cavity. They feature no hard corners to bump into, nor cords or maintenance accessories to trip on. They’re an excellent way to add ambiance to homes with toddlers, disabled residents, or elderly residents.
3. Installation of an electric vs wood-burning fireplace
Electric fireplaces offer incredibly easy setup with minimal-to-no construction or renovation needs. While some electric fireplaces do need to be installed (recessed ones), all electric fireplaces are decor pieces—not structural design choices. They need no special skills, structural changes, or exterior modifications to set up or remove.
Freestanding electric fireplaces are also easy to move around as your life necessitates. They’re a great choice for renters and for people who love to change up their spaces on a frequent basis. Electric fireplaces do not need to be permitted, and more often than not, they don’t require any construction to install.
4. Save on Installation and running costs
When it comes to the costs of electric vs wood-burning fireplaces, electric once again wins—by a landslide. They have a significantly lower upfront cost for installation or purchase, and their operating costs over time are negligible. You can expect to pay upwards of $15 000 to buy a wood-burning fireplace and have it installed, compared to being able to purchase an electric fireplace for under $500 with no installation costs.
Your costs over time will be different, too. While running a wood fireplace part-time costs about $500/year, running an electric fireplace costs under $100/year (with heat).
5. Energy efficiency of electric appliances
Electric fireplaces can help decrease your home heating bills, too. Not only do homes lose heat through outlets like fireplaces, but you can use your electric fireplace like a space heater to reduce your overall energy cost. It’s one of the best benefits of electric fireplaces—not only will your space feel cozier, it actually will be cozier.
If you or your family tends to stay in one room of the house for multiple hours at a time, adding an electric fireplace allows you to turn down the thermostat for the rest of the house. Do you work a nine-to-five in a home office, for instance, and you’re the only one at home? Awesome: Just add an electric fireplace to your workspace and feel free to leave your thermostat on “night mode” for the rest of the house. You’ll be warmer and your utility bills will thank you.
6. Seasonal vs year-round ambiance
Another great reason as to why you should choose an electric fireplace? The options it gives you.
I love the warmth and sounds of a wood-burning fireplace, but my family home has had one for over 20 years and we’ve only ever used it once. A big reason for that is that it just doesn’t feel cold in the house for very many days of the year. While you can use an electric fireplace all year round by turning off its heating function, you don’t have that choice when it comes to wood-burning. If you want the ambiance of a wood-burning fireplace, you’re going to have to deal with the heat, too—and that means you can’t use it for a lot of the year.
7. Electric offers low maintenance and cleaning needs
Another reason why my family hasn’t used our fireplace over the years? Well—we can be a little lazy (and we’re not ashamed to admit it!). The last thing anyone wants to be doing when we all reconvene at the family home for the holidays is extra cleaning. The breakdown is simple. No wood = no ashes = no chimney cleaning. When the fireplace isn’t on, we all get to enjoy our holiday for a little longer.
This simplicity is also a great reason to opt for electric when you consider age-related restrictions. Wood fireplaces are typically set back into a hearth, and many home designs set them into a raised mantle. Wood-burning fireplaces need to be cleaned and inspected annually, and it can be tricky to do so if you have limited mobility. It’s easy to lose your balance while leaning toward your wood fireplace to fuel or clean it, and if you do fall forward, its bricks or stones are likely to cause injury.
8. Portability and flexibility
For those who can’t make up their minds (like me), another reason why electric fireplaces are popular wood fireplace alternatives is their portability. (This goes double if you opt for a freestanding electric fireplace instead of a recessed one.) Moveable fireplaces are easy to relocate, swap out, or store for the season.
I tend to rearrange my furniture and decor at least 2-3 times a year, so being able to move my heating devices is a huge boon. The portability of a freestanding electric fireplace keeps your home feeling fresh and new, even if you’ve lived there for years.
9. Style options of wood-burning and electric fireplaces
There are a wide range of options when it comes to electric fireplaces. While wood-burning ones tend to stick to a fairly standard style (brick or stone + mortar), electric fireplaces can look like… Well, anything you want! They can be sleek and glossy, traditional and rustic, or lived-in and stately. One of the major advantages of electric fireplaces is that you can still choose what style of fireplace you want, even after you’ve opted for electric.
In contemporary, craftsman, and transitional homes, fireplace TV stands are a popular choice that wood-burning could never pull off. These cozy home accents provide warmth, ambiance, and shelving—along with a place to put your TV.
10. Make an easier, more eco-friendly choice
Finally, reason number 10 as to why I think electric wins every time in the electric fireplace vs wood burning fireplace battle: No emissions. Not only are they better for the environment, but you never have to worry about air quality or fireplace emissions with an electric model.
Wood-burning fireplaces affect the quality of the air in your home. They’re strictly regulated in Canada, and new installations for any type of wood-burning home appliance need to meet a rigorous set of efficiency and clean air requirements. These regulations are different in each city and even for each appliance type, so you have to take extra care to make sure you’re selecting the right make and model of wood-burning fireplace. It’s a complicated extra step when it comes to installing a new fireplace, and (in my opinion) it’s easier to step around it and opt for electric.
In conclusion
Electric fireplaces are a cozy, convenient way to add ambience to your home without sacrificing on cost or safety. They create a beautiful focal point—with or without heat—that’s perfect for gathering around. If you want to add the comfort of a fireplace to your home without any of the smoke, fire, or regulatory worries of a wood-burning one, consider shopping electric for a seamless installation.
Shop Best Buy’s selection of electric fireplaces online today.
