Which electric fireplace gives the most heat?
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Unlike traditional gas and wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces can be installed almost anywhere without requiring permits or significant changes to your house. Yet they create a cozy ambiance and a similar aesthetic to their traditional wood-burning counterparts.
But do electric fireplaces generate enough heat to warm a room? Or are they just for the show? More importantly; which electric fireplace gives the most heat?
Let’s find out!
Do electric fireplaces generate heat?
Although most electric fireplaces in the market are mainly designed for looks alone, the majority can generate heat just like space heaters do. They even feature a thermostat to enable them to maintain a steady room temperature. In addition, other models have a basic setting like high, medium, and low.
One thing you need to note though is that different electric fireplace models generate heat in different ways. Some of the ways electric fireplace gives heat include;
Infrared/ Radiant heat
Radiant heat does not simply heat the air. Instead, a warm object emits heat energy which is then absorbed by the room and whatever object is in it.
A good example of radiant heat is the sun. To be precise, the sun emits infrared heat waves that reach us down on Earth, allowing us to feel the warmth right away.
As for electric fireplaces that generate radiant heat, they have a glass front or cast iron body that becomes hot and radiates the heat outwards.
One notable benefit of infrared electric fireplaces is that they have a good heat output, which allows them to comfortably heat a room of up to 1000 sq ft. Unfortunately, most electric fireplaces do not produce infrared/ radiant heat since they do not have a real flame.
Convection heat
All types of fireplaces use convection heat to some extent. Convection heat is when the air around the fireplace is heated and rises, creating a current that circulates the hot air around the room. The fireplace then draws in cooler air from the room and passes it over a heated metal coil. At the same time, the warm air is pushed out of the fireplaces, usually with a fan, to start the convection process.
Electric fireplaces that use convection as a method of heat production can heat a room of up to 450 sq ft. Best of all, they are more effective at spreading heat around the room evenly.
How much heat do electric fireplaces produce?
When buying an electric fireplace that can provide supplemental heat to your home, you need one that generates enough heat to keep the room nice and warm. The major benefit of an electric fireplace is that it does not lose any heat up a chimney or any other ventilation. As a result, it does not waste any energy at all, meaning it is 100% efficient.
But how much heat exactly do electric fireplaces produce?
The amount of heat produced by an electric fireplace varies from one unit to another depending on the brand, size, model, and heat capacity. In general, a smaller electric fireplace has a lower heat output than a bigger model, making it a poor option for heating a big room. On average, electric fireplaces have a heat capacity of about 4600 – 5600 British Thermal Units (BTUs). However, the most expensive electric fireplace models can generate up to 8,600 BTUs, depending on the model and brand.
To determine how much heat a particular electric fireplace produces, look at its heat output in kW. In general, the heat output of electric fireplaces ranges from 0.7 – 2 kW. Not to forget that most units have a ‘flame effect only’ option that allows you to turn off the heating element and enjoy its flame display.
In most cases, a 1 – 2kW electric fireplace can generate about 4,000 – 4600 BTUs per hour. However, this may vary depending on how well-insulated and large the room is.
In terms of the voltage, 110V electric fireplaces use about 1500 watts and produce up to 4500 BTUs per hour. On the other hand, 220V electric fireplaces can generate up to 9000 BTUs per hour.
Which electric fireplace produces the most heat?
With a wide array of choices on the market, finding an electric fireplace that produces the most heat can take some effort. Luckily, we have done the hard part for you to bring you the best electric fireplaces that generate more heat than other models out there. More importantly, these powerful electric fireplaces are from reputable brands that focus on meeting and exceeding customer expectations.
1. Napoleon Clearion Elite See-Through Electric Fireplace
As the name suggests, the Napoleon Clearion Elite fireplace has a ‘see-through’ glass that allows you to see the other side. This 2-sided design makes it ideal for installing in a wall dividing 2 rooms. However, if you want some privacy between the 2 rooms, you just need to change the screen display to fully opaque or semi-transparent.
Regarding the heat output, this 2-sided fireplace generates enough heat to warm up 2 rooms of up to 800 sq ft each. Even better, you can control the heat separately in both rooms or disable it completely.
In addition to being one of the electric fireplaces that produce the most heat, this unit has a realistic flame effect. On top of that, you can fully customize it with various media options and color-changing flames to suit your decor style.
Other features that come with this electric fireplace include a remote control, sleep timer, flame speed, and a built-in thermostat. As for installation, you can mount this unit on a 2 x 4” wall using an additional trim that comes in stainless steel or black. Either way, this unit will create an inviting ambiance and produce enough heat to warm your home for years to come.
2. Modern Flames 3-Sided Smart Electric Fireplace
At first glance, this Modern Flames ‘Landscape Pro Multi’ electric fireplace has a sleek 3-sided design that gives any room celebrity-style home vibes. Moreover, it has a beautiful finish that will add elegance to any room in your house.
Unlike most electric fireplaces on the market, this unit can heat a room of up to 800 sq ft when hardwired into a 240V circuit. To be precise, it can generate up to 10,000 BTUs which is enough to heat any room of up to 800 sq ft. However, an additional line will be required to reach that heat output.
Another unique feature of this realistic electric fireplace is that you can control all its functions via your smart home app or Wi-Fi. Alternatively, you can control all the functions using the provided remote control. This fine mix of smart technology with home decor makes it ideal for use in any space, whether commercial or residential.
As for the installation, you don’t need to create a particular space to accommodate this smart electric fireplace. This flexible installation allows you to fit it into any existing setup in various ways. For instance, you can mount it on the wall, build it into a wall, fix it in a cabinet, or simply leave it open from the right or left corner.
Whichever way you install it, its 3-sided display will allow you to enjoy its stunning view of burning logs from various angles. Not to forget that it’s available in various width sizes ranging from 44 – 96” and even has multi-colored flames with smoke-black acrylic crystals and scattered clear acrylic stones.
3. Dimplex IgniteXL Electric Fireplace
Despite having sophisticated looks, the Dimplex IgniteXL electric fireplace is lighter than other bulkier models. For that reason, you can even install it in a 2 x 4” wall with the aid of an additional frame. On the same note, this unit does not take up a lot of wall space, seeing that it’s only 5.5” deep. Therefore, you can quickly recess it into a cabinet/ wall or simply mount it onto a wall.
Moving on, Dimple IgniteXL generates enough heat to warm a room of up to 1000 sq ft, but only when hardwired into a 240V circuit. However, when connected to a standard 120v outlet, it can only heat a room of up to 500 sq ft.
Other than that, this unit has a time that turns it off when it reaches the preset sleep time. Better still, it modifies the fan speed and the produced heat depending on the room temperature, helping it save energy by up to 11%.
In addition, this fireplace has a glass frame that is affixed within a 2 cm removable trim to prevent it from emitting heat. Best of all, it features a fantastic replica of a natural fire flame that you can use to change the hues and color schemes of the flame effect via a remote control.
Finally, this realistic, energy-efficient electric fireplace is available in various width sizes ranging from 50 to 100”. That way, you can easily find the right electric fireplace size for any fine establishment or your family home.
4. Dimplex Multi-Fire XHD Series Electric Fireplace
If you want an electric fireplace that looks like a traditional wood-burning fireplace, while offering all the benefits of an electric fireplace, the Dimplex Multi-Fire XHD Series is your best bet. Even better, you can install this electric firebox directly into a wall, insert it into an old fireplace, install it into a cabinet, or buy it with a mantel package. Either way, you will find it relatively quick and easy to install. After all, you just need to plug it into a regular 120 V power outlet and you’re good to go.
Surprisingly, this unit generates enough heat to warm a room of up to 1000 sq ft, even when plugged into a standard household outlet. This is because it features a quiet fan-forced ceramic heater, which significantly increases its heat output.
For safety reasons, this unit has a built-in sleep timer that automatically turns off the fireplace after a certain period. In addition, it looks pretty realistic, making it a great alternative to gas. On top of that, you can easily operate all its functions via remote control, and is available in various sizes ranging from 23 to 28”.
Conclusion
Electric fireplaces are a great modern way to add ambiance and some warmth to your home. They are safe, clean, affordable, and 100% efficient. Hopefully, this article will help you determine which electric fireplace produces the most heat and adds warmth to your home for many years to come.
