Apartment dwellers who have longed for the warmth and atmosphere provided by a roaring fire can now have that homey ambience through the presence of an electric fireplace.

The electric fireplace can be installed in any residence with a suitable electrical outlet. People whose houses have no chimneys will also find an electric fireplace can erase their fireplace blues. Even people with conventional fireplaces may want to forego the woodpile and install a low maintenance electric fireplace.

The advantages of an electric fireplace are numerous. Ease of setup is a major selling point. A basic electric fireplace fits into a car, transports easily even upstairs and is ready for use as soon as it is out of the box and plugged into an outlet. An electric fireplace also ranks high in aesthetic appeal. A variety of materials which can’t be used on standard fireplaces can be used to construct an electric fireplace; this is because electric fireplaces don’t become as hot as a conventional fireplace. In addition, decorative work can be placed closer to the “flame”, again because the simulated fire doesn’t burn in the same way as a gas or wood flame.

Ownership also makes an electric fireplace an attractive purchase for a person who is renting his/her home. An electric fireplace belongs to the person. It isn’t part of the dwelling. An electric fireplace is a piece of furniture, a stylish, functional piece of furniture. An electric fireplace also has the virtue of flexibility. If a fireplace is needed in the family room, an electric fireplace can be set up in the family room. Tomorrow it the need is in the living room, moving the electric fireplace to the living room is a simple, quick procedure.

An electric fireplace does not, however, have to be portable. Increasingly there are elaborate, finely crafted electric fireplaces which make excellent permanent additions to any room. Units such as these may have features like glass screens and retractable curtains which are generally associated with standard fireplaces.
Other options for an electric fireplace may include remote control, several levels of flame control and crackling sounds effects. Units may also be operated with heat and flame effect or with only heat or only flame effect.

Relative low cost is another benefit to an electric fireplace. An entry level electric fireplace can be found for around $400. Heavier, more ornate and fully featured models may run up to $2,000. These prices are made more inviting still by the fact that there are no installation charges and the maintenance on an electric fireplace is minimal.

An electric fireplace will never replace the age old fireplace as a source of heat. Its maximum warmth hovers between 4,000 and 5,000 BTU, enough to keep an average room comfortable. Still, an electric fireplace makes an easy and cost effective solution for those who could previously only dream of a warm fire on a cold evening.