There’s nothing better than settling into your couch in front of a warm fire after a long day. If you’re looking to add an electric fireplace to your home this winter, don’t fret: There’s no better time to find one than right now.
Buying an electric fireplace online can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. These popular, easy-to-install home improvements are surprisingly simple to select, and they’re only getting better each year. With improvements to their connectivity, functionality, and energy efficiency, they’re the smart choice for a modern home. Here’s everything you need to know about buying an electric fireplace online.
Why buy an electric fireplace online?
Let’s be honest: The online marketplace is convenient. While there are some big benefits to shopping in person (like in-store experts, events, and hands-on product experience), there’s nothing more convenient than making a purchase from the comfort of your own home.
Home appliances like heaters and electric fireplaces are a particularly handy category to shop for online. They’re products that you won’t need a lot of hands-on time with. Their tactile experience is limited, but their tech specs can be quite vast. By shopping online instead of in-store, you can make the most of your time while looking for the best electric fireplace in Canada. It’s easy to compare products online, read through reviews and guides, and measure out different spaces in your home without having to double back to the store.
You also get the convenience of variety and price comparisons when you shop online. Best Buy carries a lot more heating products online than in-store, and the website makes it easy to sort fireplaces by features and price.
Types of electric fireplaces to consider for your space
There are three main types of electric fireplaces. Each one is great for a different need, and honestly? There isn’t a ton of overlap between the three categories. Each type is available with different functions, features, and sizes.
First, there are wall-mounted fireplaces. These are sleek, modern designs that sit on or in a wall. They’re semi-permanent installations into your home, like a stove or a wall-mounted TV. Wall-mounted fireplaces are a great choice for homeowners (as they require a bit of construction work to install) and people living in small spaces (as they take up virtually no floorspace). If you need the smallest possible footprint for a heater in a home you own, recessed wall-mounted fireplaces are the absolute best option you’ll find.
Next, there are fireplace TV stands. These are popular for both renters and homeowners. They fit in exceptionally well in contemporary and transitional homes. Fireplace stands take up the most floorspace out of any type of electric fireplace, but they provide additional functionality, shelving, and decor space on top of just being a fireplace.
Finally, there are freestanding electric fireplaces. These are a popular choice for renters, students, and people who prefer a vintage aesthetic. Freestanding electric fireplaces are great because they come in such a wide variety of designs—from sleek glass boxes to old-timey iron-style grates. They’re easy to move, require no setup, and are ready to be used as soon as they’re plugged in. If you need a compact, portable fireplace, a freestanding model is absolutely the way to go.
Need an electric fireplace buying guide? Make sure to check out my comparison between freestanding and wall-mounted electric fireplaces. They’re both great options—but they’re quite different!
Choose classic coziness
Freestanding electric fireplaces are a great choice for homes with a vintage aesthetic. They’re warm, welcoming, and extremely portable.
Key features to look for
When I said that now was a better time than ever to buy an electric fireplace online, I meant it. Electric fireplaces today have tons of different functions and features, and there are a few things you should know before buying an electric fireplace. Here are six electric fireplace features explained:
- Heating capacity: Electric fireplaces are available with very different heat outputs. Search by wattage or BTU heat output to find the right heater for your space. Aim for about 10 watts or 30 BTUs per square foot; or, use the general guide of roughly 750 W/3000 BTUs for a small room and 1500 W/6000 BTUs for medium rooms.
- Flame realism: Like other display-based devices, you’ll notice different levels of realism in the flames of different heaters. Look at product photos and videos to get a better idea of what your heater will look like—and remember that real isn’t always better. You can go for a heater that makes orange flames only, or you can choose one that displays flames of a wide variety of customizable colours.
- Energy efficiency: Electric heating is one of the most energy-efficient options available for your home. Double down with a fireplace that has an eco mode and/or an “ambiance only” mode for warm days.
- Safety features: Look for features like overheat protection, cool-touch exteriors, and a hidden cords for homes with kids, pets, mobility concerns.
- Remote operation: Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, electric fireplaces don’t have to be stoked up close. You can use a remote control or your smartphone to control many models—check your product descriptions to find out which ones.
- Smart features: In smartphone-compatible devices, look for smart features such as timers, automatic scheduling, and multi-coloured flames.
Go full-featured
This Costway Electric Fireplace is an all-in-one option for electric decorating. It has different flame speed levels, brightness levels, colour customizations, heating levels, and an automatic timer function. On top of that, it also has smart capabilities with connectivity through both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
When it comes to electric heaters, you really can have it all if you want it all!
Choosing the right size of fireplace
Electric fireplaces come in everything from compact models to 50″ installations and beyond. The most important online fireplace shopping tip I can give you is to measure twice and purchase once. Like with any home improvement project, it’s important to know what size of fireplace you’re going for before you make any decisions.
This applies double for wall mounted electric fireplaces and TV stand fireplaces. These larger, placement-critical pieces need to fit exactly where you’re imagining them—especially if you’re going to cut out any drywall for them. Make sure to take your wall placement and nearest plug-in into consideration before choosing a design, and double (or triple) check your measurements before installing a recessed fireplace.
These effects are much more limited when it comes to space-saving freestanding fireplaces, but for wall-hanging statement pieces, they’re essential. And (take it from someone who’s mis-hung more than one shelf in their time): If you need a stud for at least one-half of your hanging brackets, please make sure you have one in the space you’re imagining your new fireplace in. You’ll save yourself a world of frustration by pre-checking the exact area with a stud finder!
Save space and create a statement piece in your living room
Available in three sizes (36″, 42″, and 50″), this wall-mounted, recessed fireplace fits into almost any home. It has a classic look and a sleek, modern design.
Budget and value: How to get the most fireplace for your money
With Best Buy’s price filtering, sale section, and open-box availability, it’s easy to get a great deal on an electric fireplace online. I find in-store sales can be a little trickier to track—especially with limited inventory for products like fireplaces—but online shopping makes it a breeze. Keep an eye on your favourite models, styles, and features to score great deals on sales, and watch for seasonal promotions to make your purchase a little more budget-friendly.
When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, I like to suggest fireplace TV stands and smaller wall-mounted fireplaces. They’re both available at a very wide price range for both high-end and budget-friendly finds, but TV stands do double duty. They’re a fixed price (no need for any additional mounting or re-wiring costs), and they provide you with extra storage, shelving, and a stand at the same time.
Make your fireplace do double duty
Most electric fireplaces are already doing double duty as both displays and heaters—but you can double that again if your TV stand is in need of replacing. Fireplace TV stands are a great option for saving on cost and floorspace while getting extra shelving at the same time.
Final FAQ: What to check while buying online
Q: Are electric fireplaces safe?
A: Absolutely. Electric fireplaces are the safer option when it comes to indoor fireplaces. They’re less of a fire, smoke, and particulate hazard than both wood-burning and gas fireplaces.
Q: Do electric fireplaces need installation?
A: It depends on what type of fireplaces you’re looking at. Portable models, like freestanding fireplaces and fireplace TV stands, need no installation and feature a plug-and-play design. Wall-mounted and recessed fireplaces will require installation, but still plug into the recess (instead of being hardwired directly into your home.)
Q: How much do electric fireplaces cost to run?
A: A lot less than a wood-burning fireplace! Electric fireplaces cost under $100 per year to run with heat, while fuelling a wood fireplace costs about $500 per year.
Q: Can you use an electric fireplace without heat?
A: Absolutely! Electric fireplaces can be turned on with or without heat. Many models also offer varying heat levels to suit different seasons and spaces.
In conclusion
When you know what to look for, it’s easy to buy an electric fireplace online. They’re an excellent, safe option for homes to add in or switch to, and there’s a type of fireplace that’ll fit every type of home. Whether you’re looking for cozy, vintage vibes or a multicoloured installation, there’s a fireplace out there for you.
Shop electric fireplaces online at Best Buy today.
It’s really helpful to have a guide that breaks down how to select an electric fireplace. I always struggle with choosing the right size and design, so the tips here will be really useful!