Fireplaces
A Guide to the Best Heating Solutions
Since the dawn of time, man has tamed fire to help keep him warm, especially during the cold winter months. Both man and fire have made great strides since this time, seeing the fire go from an open pit to a fireplace , and beyond. Today fireplaces have come a long way, especially with the advent of the electric fireplace .
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Electric fireplaces, like fire, have also come quite a long way since they arrived on the scene. New technology has upgraded not only the look of the units, but also their function. Without using a real flame, electric fireplaces are able to use three-dimensional refraction technology to refract light off of the logs in the unit, creating the illusion that there is actually a real flame lit within the unit. This same method of refraction is then used to create glowing embers in the bottom of the unit, again to carry out the more realistic look. Without a true flame, electric fireplaces require little to no maintenance, unlike their gas or wood counterparts.
Another feature that sets the electric fireplace apart from more traditional wood or gas fireplaces is the fact that there is no need for any sort of venting. With wood and gas fireplaces, a vent is required to rid the fireplace of smoke and fumes generated by the burning fire. Electric fireplaces, which lack a real source of fire, do not require any sort of venting. This has two real benefits, one being that an electric fireplace is much less expensive due to the lack of ventilation needed for the unit. The other benefit is flexibility.
Because electric fireplaces need no venting, one can literally install a unit just about anywhere. Before, a unit could only be placed where ventilation could be worked from the unit to an outside wall. With an electric unit, this is not the case.
Today, fireplaces have come a long way from where they once were. With sleek and sophisticated designs, electric fireplaces can match just about anything, even kitchen sinks. Ok, maybe not kitchen sinks, but definitely kitchen appliances and kitchen furniture, and it is this flexibility that has made them such a popular choice for those seeking the perfect in-home heating solution.
