Why Are Floating Electric Fires So Popular in the UK?

 

When electric fireplaces first came out, they were deemed expensive, bulky, and downright unattractive. They were not the most energy efficient, either. But this is no longer the case. New technologies and developments in aesthetics and energy efficiency have resulted in better designs, such as the floating electric fire. 

 

Electric fires are gradually replacing traditional wood-burning and gas fireplaces as they deliver reliable warmth throughout winter while providing realistic flames that add to the overall cosiness of a room. Models that appear floating against the wall are increasingly popular in the UK for their aesthetic appeal and function.

 

What are floating electric fires?

 

You may have even imagined an electric fireplace floating or suspended in mid-air. However, a floating electric fire is a wall-mounted electric fireplace with an ultra-modern look and feel. It’s positioned a few feet off the ground, so it seems like it’s floating.

 

The floating electric fire can be an excellent addition to any space like the living room. It elevates the interiors of the room while ensuring sufficient heat. Floating fires can function without the heating function like most modern electric fireplaces. This means that you can run the flame effect at any time of the year—a handy feature that lets you enjoy the beauty of a fireplace during special occasions or when you feel like using it to set the mood.

 

How do they heat the room?

 

Electric fireplaces don’t produce heat the same way as traditional fires do. They rely on electricity and a heating element to generate heat. Most models have a fan to draw cold air in from the room, and then the air passes through the heating element to heat up before it’s blown back into the room. A floating electric fire shows an open flame that resembles a traditional wood-burning fire.

 

 

 

That said, an electric fireplace won’t be able to heat a room on its own. For this reason, many models have built-in blowers and thermostats to distribute the heat effectively in the room. Floating electric fires mainly supplement central heating and other heating devices.

 

Why are they popular in the UK?

 

In addition to heating a room, floating electric fires produce beautiful fire effects that can be customised to suit your taste. Some models come with different dimmable flame colour options and media bed colours you can adjust from a remote or touchscreen panel. This makes them perfect additions to any room for aesthetic reasons.

 

Reputable manufacturers of floating electric fires in the UK can customise the look and finish of their products. For instance, you can choose the colours of the woodwork and the stone tiles. You can easily purchase a floating electric fire that perfectly suits your interiors.

 

 

Besides providing aesthetic benefits, there are more reasons for their popularity in the UK.

 

Safer and cost-effective

 

With rising fuel costs, you may want to shift to a cost-effective heating solution, such as the floating electric fire. Electricity costs less than gas, and electric fires don't generate toxic fumes, smoke, soot, ash, or odours. There are no installation and maintenance costs. When necessary, they are easy to transfer from one room to another.

 

You also don’t have to worry about not having a chimney or building one, which could mean avoiding costly home renovations. Floating electric fires come fully assembled and ready to install directly on the wall. Just ensure that there are no obstructions around or near the appliance and that it's plugged directly into an electrical wall socket instead of an extension cable for safe and efficient performance.

 

More stylish and modern for today’s homes

 

Electric fireplaces used to be dull, boring, and cheap heating solutions. They produced fake fires that looked unrealistic, and though some models are efficient heaters, they were not aesthetically pleasing. Those old models don’t blend well with modern interiors.

 

Many modern electric fires are compact and designed to be mounted on the wall to avoid obstructing floor space. An electric fire can be part of any interior without looking like an eyesore. Their design has come a long way, with authentic-looking and customisable fuel beds and realistic flame effects, which you can dim or change in colour to suit your mood or interiors.

 

Space-saving

 

Floating electric fires do not require a flue or a chimney, so they are easy to install and set up in any room with enough space. They are popular additions to living rooms in the UK. Some homeowners are also installing them in their bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, or anywhere they could use an aesthetically pleasing feature that adds warmth to their spaces.

 

It’s easier to incorporate a floating electric fireplace into most spaces, even in condos, apartments, recreational vehicles, and small homes. Reputable manufacturers offer their products in various sizes, so you will find something that can fit in your space.

 

Energy efficient

 

You can’t go wrong with a floating electric fire for energy-efficient heating. It heats rooms more efficiently and quickly than traditional fireplaces without losing energy through ventilation. 

 

Heat loss is one of the issues with wood-burning fireplaces, as they lose as much as 90 per cent of heat through the chimney, and the heated air in your room dissipates along with it. Chimneys also cause drafts, resulting in rooms becoming cold again. You can avoid those issues with an electric fireplace.

 

 

High-quality floating electric fires also use LED technology for the flames, making them more energy efficient than older models that used incandescent bulbs. The bulbs last longer, too, and they contain no mercury, making them cost-effective and safe while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Environmentally friendly

 

When talking about minimizing greenhouse gases, a floating electric fire is a good example. It doesn’t require burning fossil fuels, making it significantly greener than a conventional fireplace. You won’t have to chop up any wood, meaning you can do your part in saving the forests.

 

Long-lasting and low-maintenance

 

There’s no need to call a chimney sweep for floating electric fires. These heating appliances don’t rely on a combustible energy source, so they are not at risk of corrosion or rust. You can enjoy your wall-mounted floating electric fire for years, and it will still look good as new.