How to choose a built-in electric fireplace with a living fire effect for an apartment or home

Despite the fact that an electric fireplace is easy to install, this does not mean that installation will not require any effort. Certain knowledge and skills will still be needed here.

In addition, before starting work, a number of organizational issues need to be resolved in advance. For example, where to install an electric fireplace, what design it will have, how to connect it to the network. Therefore, in this article we will look at everything related to its installation - from preparatory work to actual installation.

Built-in electric fireplace: features, installation locations

Typically, a fireplace is a set that consists of an electric hearth and a design portal. All portals, with rare exceptions, are made of MDF. On the outside, they can be covered with a special film that adds color and shine, or lined with artificial stone. However, the structure is entirely made from compressed fine fraction. To ensure that the installation of a fireplace in a wooden portal is completely safe, the device is well insulated electrically and protected from the possibility of heating to critical temperatures.

This means that the fireplace hearth can be safely built into furniture or into a wall niche . Many manufacturers even offer special models designed specifically for such installation. For example, these are electric fireplaces such as:

• Sirius 30 Black/Brass LED FX and Musical FRA-0004 Black from InterFlame;
• Vega, Burbank and Redway, developed by Dimplex;
• Space and Designe 885CG from the famous Royal Flame brand;
• EFP/W - 1200URLS black, white, red and orange, made by top Electrolux specialists;
• Lincoln and Andromeda from the world famous Real-Flame brand.

How to choose a quality electric fireplace?

Advantages and disadvantages

Before you go to the store for a new purchase, you should clearly understand what advantages and disadvantages you may encounter during installation and use.

Among the advantages, the following components can be noted:

1. As already mentioned, anyone can install the product; installing it yourself will save some money that can be spent on other needs. In addition, the process itself is not labor-intensive and quite “clean”.
2. There is no need to purchase firewood and coal, the device operates from the network and is turned on by a control panel, which is equipped with a temperature control button. When the apartment is warm, you can turn off the heating and, to maintain an aesthetic appearance, leave only the fire burning.
3. The device consumes a small amount of electricity, which means you won’t have to pay exorbitant amounts on utility bills. Interestingly, a fireplace is quite capable of temporarily replacing heating from a radiator. This is especially true on the eve of the heating season, when the heating has not yet been turned on, and the weather outside is no longer like May.
4. If desired, the electric fireplace can be turned off.
5. The unit is completely safe for small children, as certified by the fire inspectorate (if this is confirmed by the relevant documents attached to the equipment).
6. Some models are equipped with a simulator of natural sounds, for example, the crackling of firewood, which soothe and relax the human nervous system.
7. After purchase, you can transport the device in a regular car, because it is light in weight and has appropriate dimensions that allow you to transport and move the fireplace from room to room, if necessary.
8. In order to install an electrical appliance, you do not need to stand in line and obtain permission from employees of the relevant authorities.

Now is the time to talk about the disadvantages of the product:

1. Those who have not disconnected the unit from the power supply at all claim that the round-the-clock pleasure of enjoying the aesthetics and luxury of the design costs a tidy sum. If you calculate the costs, even the cost of gas heating per month is less than the payment for using an electric fireplace.
2. Craftsmen pay attention to the fact that not every wiring can withstand round-the-clock load, and certain problems may arise with this.
3. The device has built-in spirals and fans, which when operating create little noise.
4. Of course, natural flames will never be replaced by artificially created effects. Therefore, if you are a supporter of exceptional naturalness, this device is not suitable for you.

Criterias of choice

There is no point in starting to install an electric fireplace that does not work well. Your task is to choose the most suitable model that meets your personal taste preferences and functions without interruptions or breakdowns.

First of all, check with the sales consultant what the power of the product you are interested in is. It’s good if it takes one kilowatt of power to heat one square meter of space.

Before buying an electric fireplace, consider all the pros and cons of the models you like.

When deciding on the cost, do not go to extremes and do not follow the lead of the sellers - a device that is too cheap and, on the contrary, expensive is not your option. A cheap analogue cannot have good characteristics, if only because the manufacture of such models uses the most mediocre bases, metals, fasteners and parts that can break at any time.

At the same time, the cost of expensive products is unreasonably high and often depends not on the functionality of the devices, but on the quality of the finish. For example, framing a frame with mahogany costs the manufacturer much more than other types of wood.

Which manufacturers are time-tested

It is important to know which manufacturer you can trust. If this is the first time you hear the name of the brand, do not take this equipment, let someone else become its first “tester”; you don’t need any extra hassle or problems.

Today, domestic electric fireplaces are very popular among buyers. Although production is concentrated in Russia, all parts and components are purchased abroad. Thus, you will not have to pay a considerable customs fee, and the quality of the device at an affordable price is not inferior to foreign competitors in the same industry.

Among foreign manufacturers, one can highlight the Irish company GLEN DIMPLEX. Here the consumer is given the opportunity to decide for himself whether he needs a full assembly of the device, or whether it is enough to purchase some accessories along with the construction portal. Agree, this is a convenient approach for those who are confident in their abilities and can assemble a single device from many components.

This company is also distinguished by its large offer of equipment, offering a wide variety of design options.

Electric fireplace for TV

When space in the apartment does not allow you to install additional elements, pieces of furniture and decor, you need to arrange and give preference to functional things. But how can an electric fireplace, a purely aesthetic device, be functional and useful? There are models that are designed specifically to accommodate a TV and audio system.

The portal of such fireplaces has a stable design and is equipped with a wide tabletop. You can often find fireplace sets with special shelves for a media player and speakers, which makes the device even more attractive. Such fireplaces are purchased instead of cabinets, on which televisions are usually placed.

Among the entire range, the following models stand out:

• set of VICONT portal with a classic SpectraFire 23 hearth;
• beautiful MONTIBELLO with an interesting SpectraFire 23 hearth;
• PASADENA portal with charming Spectrus 28 hearth;
• beige Stafford Multimedia portal with original Triumph 25 hearth;
• Giant oak portal with wide hearth Triumph 33.

Electric fireplaces in stylized living rooms

Living room designs can be very different, but a fireplace will add a note of freshness and harmony to each of them.

The classic style involves the presence of various curls, patterns and stucco. The shape is strictly rectangular. The portal is made of treated wood, plaster or marble.

Provence, country or rustic is based on everything natural or creating this effect. The most advantageous solution for this design would be a standard corner, built-in or wall-mounted fireplace. A distinctive feature of these styles is naturalness and naturalness. The choice should be made on hearths with a wood-like portal; you can decorate it with natural materials or highlight the area with appropriate panels.

Interior of a room with a fireplace

Fireplace in the interior of the room

Art Nouveau, techno and urban styles are characterized by minimalism, restraint, and clear lines. Small or standard electric fireplaces with a simple frame are well suited for such living rooms. Wall panels and transparent glass structures will only emphasize the simplicity of the decoration, and the presence of additional functions: remote control, sound effects will provide additional comfort.

Lovers of smooth soft lines will love fireplaces, which will only complement the already natural style of the living room. Such interiors assume the absence of boundaries and the smooth flow of one object into another. Maximum proximity to living nature is achieved with the help of protruding panels, rounded lines and the presence of natural materials or those imitating them.

When placing a fireplace in the living room, it is worth remembering that this decorative element itself becomes the main thing in the interior. You cannot place many decorative elements that distract attention next to it.

Design of a room with a fireplace

Interior of a room with a fireplace

Fire and water: an aquarium on an electric fireplace

Contrasts always look advantageous. And the combination of such opposites as water and flame simply cannot leave you indifferent! Therefore, many users of electric fireplaces have a question about whether it is possible to install an aquarium on top of the device.

It is important to remember that such fireplace sets are electrical devices. And contact with water is strictly contraindicated simply because their scope of application does not include installation in places where the humidity level is high. The outbreaks of conventional models simply do not have the degree of isolation that would guarantee safety. And the aquarium can become depressurized for reasons beyond the user’s control. And although the chance of this is small, it still exists. Therefore, placing an aquarium on a regular electric fireplace is strictly prohibited !

There are companies that produce special models designed for such use. They are reliably protected from moisture getting inside, so their use will not pose a danger to surrounding people.

Popular brands

Modern Dimplex Viotta fireplaces can be selected according to the size of the room

Built-in electric fireplaces are very popular due to their space savings. They fit effectively into any design solution. They can be built into a wall, cabinet, cabinet. The most popular models include:

• Dimplex Viotta are fireplaces from a manufacturer from Ireland. A distinctive feature is that the device is equipped with a realistic flame. The device can work with or without a heating function. Thanks to the possibility of split mode, energy is saved. Imitation of fire consumes no more than 120 watts per hour. The fireplace is completely safe for children and animals, since the front wall does not heat up. No toxic substances are released during operation. Control is carried out remotely.
• RealFlame 3D FireStar 33 is a model with 3D flame display technology. Using the remote control you can adjust its height. Halogen lamps create the effect of flickering coals. The power of the device is 1500 W, which is enough to heat a room of at least 30 square meters. The device is equipped with two heating modes. A big advantage is the presence of a protective automatic shutdown function.
• Glenrich Premier S14 is a Russian-made built-in electric fireplace model. Thanks to the use of modern technologies, manufacturers managed to achieve a realistic effect of live fire. With a power of 2 kW, the device can heat a room of 20 square meters.

A built-in electric fireplace is a successful addition to any interior, capable of effectively heating a room.

Mastering space the Taoist way: Feng Shui and fireplace

The East Asian practice of organizing space has become firmly established in the lives of many people, helping to choose the best place for the arrangement of various objects. Feng Shui is based on five elements, among which fire symbolizes the peak of energy and uncontrollability. No one can decree this element, which means there should be no obstacles for fire. Based on this, we can conclude that it is best to install the fireplace in a room where air flows are not blocked, moving freely throughout the room.

If we talk about the cardinal directions, then the ideal choice would be a dining area facing south - this will significantly enhance the positive effect of the fire element. A good option would be an eastern or western room, where the hearth can be illuminated by sunlight.

The worst location for such a device would be the central zone of the room, where the fire element will create an imbalance, which can affect health. This makes it necessary to install a fireplace next to a wall, and an internal one at that - this way the energy will be preserved inside the house. Deterioration in well-being is also possible when placing an electric fireplace in the room for sleeping, so it is better to abandon the fireplace in the bedroom.

Preparing for work

Let's consider installing a built-in electric fireplace, for which you will need to create a portal.

First of all, you need to decide on the model. Depending on the interior style of the room, it can be a rustic hearth, empire, classic portal or country. Do not forget to take into account the size of the room so as not to make a mistake with the dimensions of the device.

Select the location where the fireplace will be installed. Be sure to check the electrical wiring specifications. Many products have strong heating elements; the power of the nearby outlet and the wire suitable to it may not be enough to power them. In this case, they will need to be replaced.

If the wires are visible, then we can say that the electric fireplace is not installed correctly.

Note! Additional wiring and installation of a new outlet next to the electric fireplace will save you from wires stretched around the room.

Purchase an electrical part for the future fireplace and a firebox with a depth of at least 70 mm. You will also need the following tools:

• hammer;
• crosshead screwdriver;
• building level;
• screwdriver;
• metal scissors.

The peculiarity of an electric fireplace is that it can be built in almost anywhere using any finishing materials, including installation in pieces of furniture. In the case of a wall-mounted electric fireplace, for example, Glenrich freestyle blac, it is extremely important to correctly determine the mounting of the device. Most often, lightweight lintel designs are not designed to support the additional weight, so you will have to reinforce them. If you decide to mount such a fireplace on a solid wall, provide at least four adhesion points.

Some tips for selection and installation

1. An electric fireplace without a portal should not be placed near curtains or flammable items.
2. It is advisable to install the device near the coldest wall in the room, this will help achieve the greatest efficiency and significantly increase efficiency.
3. When buying an electric fireplace, be sure to check the quality and load capacity of your electrical wiring.
4. It is advisable to buy a fireplace and a portal to it from one manufacturer. This will help maximize productivity, and the device will heat the room, and not the decorative elements of the portal.
5. If you decide to make the portal yourself from plasterboard, choose only moisture-resistant sheets. Otherwise, constant temperature changes will quickly destroy the structure.
6. The variety of shapes and sizes of portals allows you to choose the best option for any design, so you should not start from a specific model when choosing the entire interior as a whole.
7. To ensure that the fireplace fits harmoniously into the surroundings, carefully consider its location.

Well, last but not least on the list - the main thing is that the electric fireplace and the portal for it are liked by the household. You shouldn’t take the first model you like; it’s better to spend a few extra days choosing, but then you can enjoy it for many years.