What Are Infrared Electric Fireplaces? Things You Should Know
Let’s say you are wary of burning wood in your home because of the potentially dangerous gasses and air pollutants that are emitted by wood burning. What kind of fireplace should you get? Electric? Well, yeah, electric is good, but it won’t have quite as much reach as an infrared fireplace.
Most infrared electric fireplaces can heat up an area upwards of 1,000 square feet. Interested? You’ve come to the right place. Let me bring you up to speed on all things infrared electric fireplace.
What is an infrared electric fireplace?
First, let us define infrared heating. Infrared heaters are a cost-effective, fast, environmentally-conscious method of heating up a room.
The best thing about them is that they only heat the individuals and objects within the room. In other words, there is no thermal loss; that is, no heat is lost to the outside through conduction, convection, or a combination of these heat transfer methods. All the heat you require efficiently provided and used, within the room.
Infrared light is a wavelength of natural light that the human eye cannot see since it’s beyond the spectrum of light waves visible to human beings. Our bodies and the clothes we have on absorb infrared light, thus warming us.
It’s a safe, natural way to get warm at night or in winter. Put simply, having an infrared fireplace around is like sitting outside in the natural warmth and glow of sunlight.
And the best thing is that you get to luxuriate in the warmth of the sun without the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.
Three sources power infrared heaters:
- Propane
- Natural gas
- Electricity
For the purpose of today’s discussion, I am going to tell you about the electricity-powered infrared heater/fireplace. Unlike its propane and natural gas-powered counterparts (which are suited for outdoor use), electric infrared heaters are designed for indoor use.
Some are designed to sit on tabletops, but today we are exclusively looking at the infrared fireplace.
Things you should know about infrared electric fireplaces:
Now that you know a bit about electricity-powered infrared fireplaces, let’s look at some facts about them. I bet you want to find out what’s so great about them. Why should you even consider purchasing one? And what should you do when you get one?
1. A few facts about infrared fireplaces/heaters
- Unlike traditional fireplaces, they don’t heat air. They heat objects.
- The main intention of owning an infrared fireplace is to supplement an already heated, insulated room.
- Infrared fireplaces heat up a room, not an entire house. That’s why they measure reach in square footage. Most operate within an area upward of 1,000 square feet.
- They heat they produce does not penetrate through walls or floors.
- They don’t do well in unheated, uninsulated spaces such as garages, unheated basements, or screened in porches.
2. How to care for and maintain
It would be remiss if I didn’t give you a quick guide on what to do and not do, should you get yourself an infrared fireplace.
- First, remember to turn off the power switch, unplug the unit, and let it utterly cool before you perform maintenance tasks on it.
- Second, keep liquids away from the fireplace.
- And when you are cleaning the unit, avoid using gasoline, alcohol, furniture polish, abrasive powders, or rough brushes. You don’t want to damage the interior of the fireplace.
- Never immerse the fireplace/heater in water (or any other liquid for that matter).
- Before you plug it on for use, ensure the unit is completely dry.
- When you take some time off from using the fireplace, remove the batteries from the remote control and store them away. Also, in that same scenario, store the heater/fireplace in a cool, dry place and repack it in its original packing – you don’t want dust and dirt to build up on the unit.
Benefits of electric fireplaces
i) They are safe
First, you must remember that with infrared fireplaces, the flame is not real. Sure, it looks realistic, but that’s just great design.
Technology has reached such a pitch that they can make super-lifelike 3D flames that seem like they could burn right through your bone. But actually, it’s just infrared light that’s creating the warmth.
These fireplaces can produce a soft infrared heat which is similar to the light of the sun. So, there is no risk of a fire breaking out in your home.
Also, you don’t have to worry about your children getting burnt, or have a slight heart attack every time you see them play too close to the fireplace.
Secondly, the fireplace won’t produce any dangerous fumes such as smoke and carbon monoxide which are produced by traditional wood-burning fireplaces.
So there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or other adverse effects from gaseous pollution.
Thirdly, the temperatures of these fireplaces never rise as high as traditional fireplaces. So your children are pets are safer if you opt for an infrared fireplace.
ii) They are unobtrusive
You will scarcely notice the fire, except to feel its heat soothing your body while you read or Netflix. Infrared heaters are silent and gentle. You see, they don’t use a fan. They don’t need to; they simply radiate the light/heat.
So you could put one in your bedroom and sleep soundly. And if you are going to put a fireplace in your bedroom, it might as well be the safest option.
iii) They are healthier
Fourth, infrared heaters are not just safer, they are healthier. Let me elaborate. Other heaters can reduce the level of humidity or oxygen within a room.
And especially, if you have one in your bedroom, that might be highly dangerous. Infrared fireplaces won’t dry out your skin or sinuses, and they won’t cause suffocation.
And like we said, they give you the advantages of exposure to natural, healthful sunlight without the harmful repercussions of ultraviolet light.
Infrared heat has also been known to improve blood circulation. That’s why people go to infrared saunas.
iv) They are environmentally-friendly.
There do not involve any carbon combustion, do not emit toxic gasses, do not produce an open flame, and do not involve any fuel lines which may leak.
Since they do not inject anything or extract anything from the air, they are perfectly environmentally friendly.
Conclusion
So to get the advantages of sunlight without all the dangerous effects of ultraviolet light, you should get yourself an infrared electric fireplace. Not only is it safer than conventional fireplaces, it is silent, healthier, and environmentally-friendly.
