How to Use Electric Wall Fires to Perfectly Warm Your Living Room

 

A traditional fireplace may have been the standard for heating homes and staying warm in the winter. But not all modern homes have provisions for these fireplaces, and maintaining an old-school heating solution can be costly and time-consuming for some properties. This is where electric wall fires can be handy.

 

If you have used a traditional fireplace, you already know how demanding it can be. Extensive preparations are involved to ensure it can efficiently and safely heat a space. Aside from buying firewood and fuel, you also have to regularly clean the fireplace to ensure its safe and efficient performance. An electric fireplace eliminates all these problems. It doesn’t even require a chimney.

 

What’s an electric wall fire?

 

If this is your first time hearing about it, an electric fireplace is a wall-mounted heating appliance that provides a modern and stylish feel to a living room or any space. It’s a great heating option for limited floor spaces or properties that don’t have a traditional chimney for a wood-burning or gas fireplace.

                                  

 

 

 

One of the best features of electric fireplaces is there are no actual flames, so they won’t give off soot, smoke, or ash, making the appliance virtually low-maintenance and more cost-effective for heating. They won’t emit harmful fumes and gases, making them safer than conventional fireplaces. But despite the flames not being real, new technologies have allowed more electric fireplaces to show realistic flame effects.

 

Electric wall fires come in several sizes, finishes, and designs, enabling you to find the perfect focal point for your living room. You can even place a large LED or LCD TV above it. Like modern electric heaters, they offer multiple heat settings to help you achieve a comfortable temperature. You may opt to use the flame independently without the heat. Thus,, allowing you to use the fireplace to improve the aesthetics of your room.

 

How an electric wall fire warms your space

 

Most electric fireplaces produce heat with a heating element, which activates when you switch on the appliance. The appliance draws cold air in from the room through the rear-mounted or side port, and it goes through the heating element to make it hot, and then the hot air is pushed out by the built-in fans in the fireplace.

 

To ensure efficient heating, you need to check on some aspects of the electric wall fire, such as the amount of heat they can produce. You also have to make sure it’s suitable for the size of your living room.

 

Below are more tips to help you choose and install the best electric wall fire that can perfectly warm your living room.

 

Ensure sufficient heating capacity for your living space

 

Gas and wood-burning fireplaces typically generate 10,000 to 60,000 BTUs of heat, which is suitable for a large room. Thus traditional wood-burning fireplaces were often the centerpieces of many living rooms. Modern electric wall fires can produce an average of 5,000 BTUs, with larger models capable of providing up to 10,000 BTUs.

 

While that doesn’t sound as much as traditional fireplaces, an electric wall fire can provide supplemental heat, especially if you have central heating. Ensure you’re investing in a high-quality electric fireplace with a heat output that ranges from 750W to 1500W.

 

Choose an appropriate spot for installation 

 

An electric wall fire doesn’t lose the heat it produces through ventilation (unlike chimneys). So it is  more efficient for heating your room as it doesn't waste any energy. Many models have built-in thermostats and timers, allowing you to control their heating capabilities.

 

That said, you must ensure the fireplace is installed in an area without obstructions so it can effectively draw in cold air and blow out the hot air back into your room. Combustible materials like pillows, furniture, curtains, paper, and clothes should be kept away from them, although electric wall fires don’t have real flames.

 

 

 

 

Ensure secure installation

 

There are many ways to install an electric wall fire. But since you’re placing it against the wall, you must ensure it’s secure and properly supported, so it doesn't fall or become skewed. This is critical for safety reasons.

 

Also, keep in mind that placing it against the wall is different from in-wall installation, which requires a segment of the wall to be dug out to provide an allowance for the rear components of the fireplace. Placing an electric wall fire against the wall doesn’t require drastic modifications. But if you prefer an in-wall installation, take some time to check with the landlord if there are policies forbidding tenants to modify anything. Some condos and apartments may also restrict modifications and the heating appliances you can install.

 

Check the kW power

 

You can determine how much heat the electric fire can produce by checking its kW power. The heat output generally ranges from 0.7 to 2kW. A 1-2kW would typically generate 4,000 to 4,600 BTUs of heat per hour. The amount of BTUs you require should depend on the size of your room and the quality of your insulation. You should also consider the number of existing heat sources you already have. An average living room in the UK with a radiator should achieve a comfortable and warm temperature with a 2kW electric fire.

 

Ensure accessible electrical sockets

 

Electric wall fires must be plugged directly into 120 or 240-volt electrical sockets, so make sure there’s one near the area where you plan to set up yours. Avoid using extension cords. All models come as plug-and-play, but if you want yours hardwired, you may have to work with an electrician and check if the product has a plug kit that comes with it or can be purchasable as an option.

 

Get a high-quality electric wall fireplace

 

When you’re ready to buy an electric wall fire, consider looking at the selection from a local manufacturer. You’ll find a range of electric wall fires in different styles and at competitive prices. You can customize some aspects of the design, such as the finish, colour, and fuel bed.