Does an electric fireplace have a flame?

Does an electric fireplace have a flame?

In the traditional sense, an electric fireplace does not have a real flame. The flames that you can see in an electric fireplace are nothing more than an illusion; although they may look like highly realistic flames, electric fireplaces do not burn real fuel, nor do they contain an actual fire.

Instead, the flame in an electric fireplace is a clever visual effect that the fireplace recreates without using a real burning fire. Conventional electric fireplaces use a set of lights and mirrors to create this effect, while more modern units may use a digital screen or water vapour. It’s also common for electric fireplaces to feature faux coal or firewood to further the feel of a real fire; however, these objects are purely decorative and serve no other functional purpose in creating the flame effect.

How does the flame in an electric fireplace work?

As we’ve mentioned, electric fireplaces may use one of two different mechanisms to create their flame effect. Conventional models contain LED lights and a set of rotating mirrors, while modern units use digital screens or water vapour.

LED lights and mirrors

Electric fireplaces with the conventional flame mechanism typically contain an LED light bulb, located within the unit. The light from this bulb shines onto a rotisserie-like cylinder of rotating mirrors also within the fireplace. From the outside, this mechanism creates a highly realistic visual illusion of real flickering flames.

Built-in display screens

Many models of electric fireplaces now come with a display screen instead of the traditional light and mirror mechanism. This screen displays imagery of a real fire, along with burning embers and smoke. With these models, you will often have the option to customise the colour and flame effect on the fireplace.

LED lights and water vapour

The latest electric fireplace flame technology uses a similar mechanism to conventional models to create the illusion of flames; instead of using a set of mirrors, these fireplaces work by shining LED lights onto water vapour. This ultra-fine water vapour creates a flame effect seen from the outside of the unit. Being the most up-to-date flame technology, water vapour fireplaces are hailed as having the most realistic-looking flame.

How does an electric fireplace produce heat with no flame?

Even though the flame in an electric fireplace is not real, many units are still able to produce heat. The heat that an electric fireplace generates is also somewhat of an illusion; this heat does not originate from the flame, but rather a separate internal heating element within the fireplace. Units can either contain a fan-forced heater or infrared heating technology.

Fan-forced heaters

Fan-forced heaters work to heat a room using a heated coil and a fan system. The fireplace takes in cool air through an intake vent, before blowing the air over a heated coil. The fireplace then expels the heated air through an outlet vent. This heating mechanism is suitable to efficiently heat a small room to 400 square feet in size.

Infrared heaters

Infrared heaters instead use infrared technology to heat up objects and people within a room. Instead of heating the air, these fireplaces radiate infrared rays that directly warm any people or objects they hit. These heaters typically have a larger heat output than fan-forced models, being able to heat a room of up to 1000 square feet.

What are the benefits of having a fireplace with a faux flame?

There are a myriad of benefits to using an electric fireplace with a faux flame instead of a real fuel-burning fireplace. A fireplace with a fake flame is much safer, better for your health and the environment, and generally lower maintenance.

Faux flames are safer

Traditional fireplaces that have real flames can pose a serious hazard to the health and safety of your household. There is, of course, a much higher risk of accidental fires with real fireplaces; fuel-burning fireplaces also have the potential to release harmful gases or fumes into your home, like smoke and carbon monoxide.

However, with electric fireplaces, there are very few hazards compared to their fuel-burning counterparts. All an electric fireplace needs is a safe source of electricity and a suitable positioning in a room. There is no need for carbon monoxide or smoke detectors, nor do they require a chimney or ventilation system. In case of emergency, you can turn the flames on or off in an instant, or simply remove the fireplace from its power source.

No need to tend fire

Real fireplaces require a constant source of fuel to keep their flames alight. You have to spend time setting up and lighting the fire, before continually stoking it and restocking it with fuel. Tending the fire in a traditional fireplace generally involves a lot of time and effort on your part.

In comparison, you can set up an electric fireplace and have it working to produce flames and heat within minutes. All you need to do is connect the fireplace to a power source, such as a wall socket, and switch it on. The flame effect will turn on instantly and the heater will begin to generate heat; the fireplace will continue to operate consistently until you switch it off.

No real fire means little maintenance is necessary

Another disadvantage of real fuel-burning fireplaces is the maintenance and cleaning they require to remain functional. You have to spend time cleaning out the ash from the fireplace and the chimney; if you neglect this maintenance, not only will the fireplace be messy, but it will also create a hazard in your home.

As electric fireplaces don’t have a real flame, they require a fraction of the maintenance compared to traditional fireplaces. You may have to clean your electric fireplace every so often, and eventually, it may become necessary to replace its bulb. Aside from this, electric fireplaces typically won’t require any other maintenance to remain safe and functional.

You are able to use your fireplace in the summer

A major benefit of electric fireplaces is that you can use them all year round, even in the hotter months. Electric fireplaces typically come with a flame-only setting; this setting allows you to switch on the flame effect without operating the heater.

Within an electric fireplace, the heating element and the flame effect are separate mechanisms. You can therefore enjoy the visual effect of the flames without the unit producing any heat. This enables you to use the fireplace in any weather, throughout the year.

More control over the look and feel of fireplace

Electric fireplaces come with many different features to control the look of the flames. You can choose between different flame sizes and effects, and adjust the brightness of the fireplace. Some models even come with a remote that allows you to control the flame effect from the comfort of your sofa.

If your fireplace has a heater, it may also come with different settings to adjust the heat output. Often units will offer high and low heat settings; models with a thermostat can heat a room up to a certain temperature before shutting themselves off. This offers you even more control over the look and feel of your electric fireplace.