Which is more efficient? Using a gas fireplace or an electric space heater?

John

I have a home built in 2004, masonry fireplace with metal flue and a Home Depot gas log set. My question, is whether it is cheaper to run the fireplace to add a little warmth to the den or to use a ceramic type electric space heater. From what I've read, a fireplace is very inefficient. However, gas is more efficient and cheaper than electricity. You do get a fan, oscillation, etc out of the space heater, but gas is a thermally more efficient than electricity and much cheaper. I also have a solar voltaic system that covers about 50% of my normal electricity usage, so that may also skew the real equation of relative costs.

Answer
It is more efficient to use your electric space heater unless you had a fireplace insert. After reading your question it sounds like you just have a flue and not an insert. If you only have a flue and no insert is present, then most of the heat generated by the fireplace logs is going up and out the flue. Thus, it is more efficient to run the electric space heater. In addition, you have a solar voltaic system to increase the efficiency of your electric heater. However, if you had a fireplace insert and not just a flue, then it would be more efficient to burn gas rather than run the heater.

-Miller's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

I Want To Buy An Electric Fireplace?

All This a

I live in an apartment where I do not control my heat. I live in New York State, so it gets pretty cold here. It is permissable to have a fireplace and I already know the pros and cons of having one. My question is: should I go with electric or use burning gels. Which is more realistic, economical and warmer. Can anyone recommend a particular site, store or brand? I have searhed all the sites I could think of and obviously came up with almost no information. I even tried consumer rated sites. HELP! It is getting cold real fast here!

Answer
I would naturally get electric for myself. I would be afraid of inhaling the fumes from the burning gels and then get an allergic reaction, or a guest might be allergic. I think an electric one would be more safer for the family and friends.

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Is it ok to place a wall-mounted electric fireplace in the bathroom?

blesnme

Will the moisture in the bathroom affect the electric wall-mounted fireplace?

Answer
You will need to have something that is approved for use in a bathroom. That shouldn't be all that difficult as electric bathroom heaters are very common.
The important thing is to make sure you have the appropriate electrical work done.
Make sure that the approved heater is installed in the appropriate manner and that everything is safe.
We don't want anyone to be electrocuted!
If you have any doubts of questions, seek the services of a licensed electrician.
He should know the rules and regulations for this installation and be able to wire the heater in correctly.

Just a thought, this might be a fairly big job... Especially if there is no wiring available in the bathroom....

Good luck.

Do you save on electric bill with infrared stove?

dan

I have baseboard electric heat. It is rather expensive to run where I live. I have seen these infrared electric fireplace stoves.My question is do they use less electricity or the same or more than baseboard electric heat. My downstairs room has two 6 foot baseboard heaters. Thanks, Dan

Answer
Ask around your local electrical retailers they should be able to advise you

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I Want To Buy An Electric Fireplace?

electric fireplace questions image

All This a

I live in an apartment where I do not control my heat. I live in New York State, so it gets pretty cold here. It is permissable to have a fireplace and I already know the pros and cons of having one. My question is: should I go with electric or use burning gels. Which is more realistic, economical and warmer. Can anyone recommend a particular site, store or brand? I have searhed all the sites I could think of and obviously came up with almost no information. I even tried consumer rated sites. HELP! It is getting cold real fast here!

Answer
I work at a fireplace company in Ft. Worth Texas and I sell alot of electric fireplaces. The best one on the market is made by a company called Dimplex. The flame looks so much like a real flame that I have people that think it is real when they see it. The best thing is you can run it with or without heat. They also have wall mount stoves that are great for smaller rooms. I attached a few links below for you to see. They are based in Canada but I bet they have a place there for you to get it. Also look at their fireplaces & Mantel kits. I have installed more than 700 of them for a builder here and only had 2 product related service calls. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at pvm3@sbcglobal.net

I Want To Buy An Electric Fireplace?

All This a

I live in an apartment where I do not control my heat. I live in New York State, so it gets pretty cold here. It is permissable to have a fireplace and I already know the pros and cons of having one. My question is: should I go with electric or use burning gels. Which is more realistic, economical and warmer. Can anyone recommend a particular site, store or brand? I have searhed all the sites I could think of and obviously came up with almost no information. I even tried consumer rated sites. HELP! It is getting cold real fast here!

Answer
I would naturally get electric for myself. I would be afraid of inhaling the fumes from the burning gels and then get an allergic reaction, or a guest might be allergic. I think an electric one would be more safer for the family and friends.

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picture over fireplace?

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VenusdeMil

I have a question for anyone who is involved in interior decorating or design. I recently purchased an electric fireplace for my new (older) home. I later chose a picture to have framed to hang over my fireplace - however, I hadn't measured before choosing the matting and frame and well - my fireplace is 36" wide and my picture is 38" wide. So I was wondering if this is something you've seen before - or if pictures hung above fireplaces are typically smaller. Will it seem unbalanced?

Answer
It shouldn't matter for 2"....Make the picture the focal point instead of the fireplace....

How to upgrade heat system in 35 yr old home? Electric heat cost is a killer. attic/cellar was insulated?

git along

Would propane addition be good? switch completely to $ oil $ There are 2 fireplaces but do not want to get into wood stoves, because this was my inlaws house and i rent it out and don't want the tennants burning it down.. My husband was going to handle this but just died suddenly of cancer. I know I dont HAVE to upgrade, tennants pay for heat, but I can deduct cost of upgrade on taxes and make the house more attractive to potential tennants (winter heating costs top 800/month!) its about 2500 sq. feet.
ONE MORE THING since I still have 400 characters :-) What kind of caulk should I use (A)around outside doors and (B) around the bathtub surround? 2 different types? Thanks in advance, look for more queries in future!!
ps I live in Massachusetts, gets 80 to 90 in summer, as low as -20 below 0 in winter. gets quite cold!

Answer
Lot of questions here but let's see if this helps. Going with natural gas if you have opportunity is the best route. Oil is definitley not cheaper than eletric. If you live in a warmer climate you could try a heat pump however if you have heat pump you will still need to install an air handling unit for your air conditioner. If you go with propane or natural gas you could install a boiler system with radiant or in floor heat. We put in a boiler in a first home it was built in 1947 and we found that it was great because you never had cold spots in the house everything was toasty. But agin if you install a boiler you need an air handling unit for your a/c. You can use a water heater for in floor heat but it is not as efficent as a boiler. We also found that are utilites with the bioler were about 70% less than the gas furnace. I would suggest that you talk to a couple of heating contractors and tell them these are the items you are looking for and have them give you a quote and then compare the gas, propane, heat pump and boiler options and decide which is the economical for you.

Look at you windows and doors caulking is a could thing however, if they are really bad you may want to consider replacing them. I would you a silcone exterior caulk for the outside and inside arounf the windows and flexible paintable caulk.
For your tub surround They have caulk made for tubs and tiles. Make sure that it is waterproof and paintable.
Goof Luck.

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I Want To Buy An Electric Fireplace?

electric fireplace questions image

All This a

I live in an apartment where I do not control my heat. I live in New York State, so it gets pretty cold here. It is permissable to have a fireplace and I already know the pros and cons of having one. My question is: should I go with electric or use burning gels. Which is more realistic, economical and warmer. Can anyone recommend a particular site, store or brand? I have searhed all the sites I could think of and obviously came up with almost no information. I even tried consumer rated sites. HELP! It is getting cold real fast here!

Answer
I would naturally get electric for myself. I would be afraid of inhaling the fumes from the burning gels and then get an allergic reaction, or a guest might be allergic. I think an electric one would be more safer for the family and friends.

Any one out there ever buy an electric fireplace?

Atsa me At

for your home? Not an insert. Which did you buy? I would like to get one that has a large open face so I can see more of the flame..a no headache one...seems everything you buy anymore, if you don't know the correct questions to ask the sellers, they don't go out of their way to warn you of potential problems/hazards, well of course not they want to sell their items...thank you.

Answer
I wouldnt buy an electric if your looking for heat. They are stictly for looks. Sales guys will tell you "OH and it does 3000 or 5000 BTU" If you have a $30 space heater from Target that sits under your kitchen table, then you know how much heat that is. That will heat your bathroom after some time and thats it. All they put in them is a cheap little space heater. If your looking for something large to view Lennox makes the best one on the market but they charge for it. You will spend $2-3000 just for the fireplace and with 220v it will do 10,000BTU with 110v it just does 5000btu. But at that price I would just go for gas or wood, because you still have to purchase a full surround mantel. It def. looks the best out of all though because it doesnt use just standard lights. Other wise all the other brand are just cheap little boxes with lights in them with a 20 dollar space heater. Heat Surge claims to be Amish, but when purchased look on the back and you will see MADE IN CHINA, it's all chip board, Amish don't use chip board, so if the sticker is missing thats proof rite there.
I just recommend pick the one you think look the best, just don't plan on purchasing it for heat. And I would not leave the heater on for long times. Leaving just the fireplace on is just a 60W. bulb but with the heater at the same time you have about 1500w an hour

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What kind of heater should I buy to save money?

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countryboy

I live in a one bedroom apartment with 2 very active cats. I have a large dining room and living room I never use. My question is, what kind of heater would be the safest and most energy efficient to use in one room at a time? I would like to cut down on my utility bill and not use my central heat as much.

Answer
I have 3 active cats and an electric fireplace stove that I can move from room to room. It uses far less electricity than oil or convection heaters. And my cats sit on top with no problem- it's cool to the touch and they can't knock it over. Just make sure that toys don't get knocked up against any heater.

Here's a link with more information: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1900810/electric_fireplaces_and_fireplace_stoves.html?cat=6

does anyone know how long it takes to fit an electric fire?

Holly

i have someone coming to fit an electric fire. i want to know how long it will take to fit because i have stuff to do. thanks
why is there no answers?

Answer
Without knowing all details, it is an impossible question. Even knowing your information - like what exactly is being fitted? A lot of electric fires are portable so take no time at all. It might be you want a coal fireplace and chimney removed that could take a few days.
Even knowing all that - without knowing the contractor nobody can say how long it would take. For example how many men? Do they know your site or might they be surprised and say, we have to wait for an unusual part.
Sorry, but you are the best person to answer your question.

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What kind of heater should I buy to save money?

electric fireplace questions image

countryboy

I live in a one bedroom apartment with 2 very active cats. I have a large dining room and living room I never use. My question is, what kind of heater would be the safest and most energy efficient to use in one room at a time? I would like to cut down on my utility bill and not use my central heat as much.

Answer
I have 3 active cats and an electric fireplace stove that I can move from room to room. It uses far less electricity than oil or convection heaters. And my cats sit on top with no problem- it's cool to the touch and they can't knock it over. Just make sure that toys don't get knocked up against any heater.

Here's a link with more information: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1900810/electric_fireplaces_and_fireplace_stoves.html?cat=6

does anyone know how long it takes to fit an electric fire?

Holly

i have someone coming to fit an electric fire. i want to know how long it will take to fit because i have stuff to do. thanks
why is there no answers?

Answer
Without knowing all details, it is an impossible question. Even knowing your information - like what exactly is being fitted? A lot of electric fires are portable so take no time at all. It might be you want a coal fireplace and chimney removed that could take a few days.
Even knowing all that - without knowing the contractor nobody can say how long it would take. For example how many men? Do they know your site or might they be surprised and say, we have to wait for an unusual part.
Sorry, but you are the best person to answer your question.

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