Are you planning to purchase an electric fireplace for your basement? Well, you’re in luck because you’re looking at the perfect article. Read along to find out the best electric fireplace that will fit right into your home!
Long gone are the days when people used to collect wood for burning to keep the house warm. In present times, with the advancement in technologies, standard fireplaces have been replaced with electric ones. These fireplaces are no ordinary heaters. They come with many benefits that will change your mind to get an electric fireplace today itself!
Electric Fireplace for Basement
With a long list of electric fireplaces in the market to choose from, here are some of the best worth the money fireplaces for your basements.
LIFE SMART Large Infrared Stine Remote Lifesmart Faux Electric Fireplace
Pros
- This electric fireplace disperses the heat to a more considerable extent of the area. No more assembling in a room to sit near the fireplace. You can be in your room, kitchen, or anywhere inside the house. This heater got you all covered up.
- This electric heater is safer for your health than those of smoke-producing fireplaces.
Cons
- Electric fireplaces come in different colours and designs. Choose and order carefully or else it will feel good definitely, but not look good. Instead, it’ll look unattractive with your wall or home combination.
Looking for a heater that warms up a large area? This is your product! The LIFE SMART Large Infrared Electric Fireplace is the life-saving product you have been looking for. This realistic fire looking heater will have your back the whole winter.
There are not many cons to this product, as many have found this to be helpful and life-saving. But you can always look up the product before purchasing.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Lifesmart |
|---|---|
| Material | Stone |
| Finish Type | Decor, Stone |
| Ventilation Type | Vent Free |
| Burner Type | Quartz |
R.W.FLAME 60’’ Electric Fireplace
Pros
- Many electric heaters or fireplaces come with time-consuming installations. But with this electric fireplace, installation is quick and easy. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on hiring a professional to get the work done.
- It has excellent heat output. If your basement is one spacious area, worry not because this heater can approximately heat 1000sq foot at your convenience.
- It’s not bulky like other heaters, and it’s slim and easy to fit. You can style this baby almost anywhere, and it’ll end up giving a vibrant look to your home. But most importantly, it is silent like a sleeping baby that you won’t even realize it’s there.
Cons
- Only in some rare cases does it produce some noise upon installation, but that can also be quickly resolved with some simple fixation. You can manually fix it, but if it doesn’t seem to be of any help, contact the manufacturer or get an expert to correct the problem.
One of the best infrared heaters for your basement would hands down be the R.W.FLAME Electric Fireplace. It comes with low noise, remote control with timer, touch screen, adjustable flame colour and speed. Wow! That’s pretty much a lot of benefits for a heater at an affordable price!
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | R.W.FLAME |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 60 x 3.85 x 18.11 inches |
| Ventilation Type | Vent Free |
| Installation Type | Recessed |
The Touchstone ValueLine 72″ 10-Color, in-Wall Recessed, Electric Fireplace
Pros
- Many electric fireplaces don’t have many options when it comes to colours. But the Touchstone ValueLine 72 has a variety of colours to offer. Now you can fit and style your heater according to your backdrop or room colour combination.
- It’s pretty affordable when compared to other expensive heaters, but it still gives the same benefits or even better than the rest.
- Very simple and easy to install. Overall, it’s a quality product for a good price.
Cons
- Sometimes, the turning mechanism seems to be poorly attached to the bar correctly. In that case, you might have to open the entire backup and fix the error after reattaching it to the turning mechanism.
- Might hear a clicking noise (soft) every 3-4 seconds. If the noise continues for a while, call a professional to fix it.
This electric heater has some cool features that the rest of the electric fireplaces don’t.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Touchstone Home Products |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 72 x 5 x 19.5 inches |
| Form Factor | Wall mounted |
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Ventilation Type | Vent Free |
e-Flame Freestanding Electric Fireplace Stove -3-D Log and Fire Effect (Black)
Pros
- This heater might look small, but it has quite a sound heat output. You can even control the heater with its adjustable flame and heat, along with a timer to regulate it even when you’re not at home.
- It is a very realistic looking fireplace and the perfect heater for an average-sized home.
- Installation is quite simple and not time-consuming at all. Just set it on top of a flat or stable surface, and you’re good to go.
Cons
- You might have to take care of the legs of the heater. It’s better advised to use a heating element at the bottom of the legs.
- Difficulties with screws can be a problem with this product. For that, you can have an expert do the job instead of wasting extra time.
Introducing the e-Flame Freestanding Electric Fireplace to beat all the odds of winter! This electric heater is the perfect fireplace to give your home a rustic touch and warmth.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | e-Flame USA |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 12.5 x 22.5 x 25 inches |
| Material | Metal |
| Finish Type | Black Powder Coat |
| Ventilation Type | Vent Free |
Touchstone 80004 Electric Fireplace
Pros
- First of all, it’s effortless and quick to install. It won’t even cost you a thousand dollars to complete the entire installation.
- It comes with five big flames brightness settings, and you can adjust it according to your convenience.
- It has a very realistic look of fire, which adds more warmth to your home.
Cons
- You might get a defective motor which will cause a clicking noise while operating this heater. In that case, you will have to uninstall everything and remove the defect.
- A bit bulky and heavy this product can be.
This 50-Inch Wide heater – with inn wall Recessed – Realistic 3 Color Flame – 5 Flame Settings – 1500/750 Watt Heater – (Black) –with Log & Crystal Hearth Options is best for your warmth needs.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | Touchstone Home Products, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 50.4 x 5.5 x 21.5 inches |
| Material | Glass |
| Ventilation Type | Vent Free |
| Heat Output | 5000 |
The Turbo Suburbs TS20 Electric Fireplace Infrared Heater
Pros
- This heater has a great deal of heat output. It covers a large area, even up to a thousand square feet and warms quickly. It even has overheating safety protection built up.
- Let us not forget the look and the ambience this heater gives to your home.
- Very easy to assemble, this heater has a realistic dancing flame effect, giving your room that extra warm vibe.
Cons
- It comes with plastic legs, which can be a matter of thinking. You are advised to use heating elements to be on the safer side.
If you’re looking for an electric heater that looks great and works great, this is your product.
Product Details:
| Manufacturer | TURBRO |
|---|---|
| Product Dimensions | 17 x 10 x 20 inches |
| Material | Metal |
| Style | Vintage & Elegant |
| Ventilation Type | Vent Free |
Benefits of Electric Fireplaces
Zone heating
The word itself says ‘Zone’, which means only a zone or a specific space or area is heated. Many people opt for electric fireplaces because only the area needed, i.e., the basement, will get hotter, making it efficient to run. It’s the same with using a light bulb; you use it only when you need it and where you need it. It simply means there is no wastage of energy, and in turn, you are living a green lifestyle.
Varied designs
Say bye-bye to smokey fireplaces. With the coming of electric fireplaces, your crisp evenings, winter mornings will become your favourite time of the day! These heaters do not only offer warmth and coziness, but they also offer a great deal of beauty to your home.
Nowadays, you can get a number of varied designs on electric fireplaces. Some of which are wall-mounted fireplaces, LED fireplaces, movable fireplaces, traditional electric fireplaces, etc. These electric fireplaces or heaters come with their own uniqueness. If you want to use an energy-efficient heater but still enjoy the experience of a traditional wood fireplace, you can go for conventional electric fireplaces. You can also style your modern home with mounted fireplaces which can be mounted onto your wall for an elegant and contemporary look.
If you are a rather creative person or you like it your way, you can even opt for a custom-designed electric heater, which is perfect for a newly built home!
Safety
Why are more people opting for electric fireplaces? Because of its safety! While there are many dangers associated with using gas and traditional fireplaces, electric fireplaces are the opposite of them. They have no flammable gas in them, making them excellent for a basement.
Most fire incidents are mainly caused by gas leakage or careless use of fireplaces. Let’s not forget the poisonous gas that human beings inhale, which causes serious damage to their health, even causing death in worse cases.
Don’t be alarmed when you see flames inside the electric heater. Those are just fire-like illusions to give it a realistic look to your fireplace. The only thing you need to look out for is the vent. Do not insert your hands or any object near the vent if you don’t want burns and injuries.
Most electric heaters are remote and time-controlled. So adjust the temperature and time according to your needs. Though most heaters shut automatically if overheated, it is best not to keep them burning overnight for safety purposes.
Remote control
They are called electric heaters for a reason. They come with a remote, which means that you can control and regulate the temperature according to your needs. You can even adjust the heaters’ timing and the temperature so that the house will be safe even after you leave home for quick shopping.
The best part is that you can control these heaters from a distance. You do not need to wake up in the middle of the night just to turn off the heater to adjust the temperature. Go read your book leisurely in your room or bake that cookie in your kitchen because you can control the machine with a single button press.
What to Look For in an Electric Fireplace for Your Basement
Before purchasing an electric fireplace, it is essential to know which type of heater to buy that will be best convenient for your home. There are two common types of electric heaters; forced fan heater and infrared quartz heating.
The forced fan heater, the most common out of the two, is an electric fireplace that works with the help of a fan that blows or passes air over the heated coils. This heated air disperses throughout the room, making it warm and cozy for you to snuggle in. Yes, most forced fan fireplaces have a heating capacity of around 400 square feet, but now many fan heaters are made for larger spaces.
Fan forced heaters are safe to use, and they come in different voltages. You can accordingly choose the one that is best suited for your home.
Whereas an infrared quartz fireplace generates heat by producing infrared light, and it is this light that warms the whole room. An infrared quartz fireplace has a heat output of about 1000 square feet, and it works quickly. You will feel the room already warming up in no time.
Unlike fan heaters, these heaters work quietly and effectively. They have also been proven to be healthier for the human body. Infrared heaters don’t use any fuels, which is safer for you and me. They are cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
However, these heaters can also be dangerous if not taken care of. The longer you keep it turned on; the heated coils get extremely hot, which can be hazardous if got in touch with.
Both the heaters are cheap, cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It is up to you to decide which one will be best suited for your space.
BTUs and Wattage
BTU or British thermal unit measures energy, whereas Wattage measures the energy rate on a given time rate.
Choosing the Right Size and Wattage for Your Basement Electric Fireplace
One should always keep in mind to choose the right size and wattage electric heater for your basement. As we all know, the higher the BTU, the more the heat, and that is basic common sense. Usually, 750 w suffices for a small basement, whereas 1500w is needed for a 500+ square feet basement. And if your basement is more spacious than that, you will need more than 1500w.
If you’re still confused about which BTU and Wattage are best for your basement, take the help of an expert or contact the manufacturer.
Additional Tips When Using Basement Electric Fireplaces
Always use a timer
Most electric fireplaces come with a timer. Your electric fireplace will probably come with a timer as well, and for good reasons. It is always safer to use your electric heater with a timer. You never know when you forget that the heater is turned on and you leave home for some work one day. You can expect the worse if you leave home for more than a day.
That is why it is vital to operate the heater with a timer. That way, you can go to work or go to sleep without any tension of overheating the heater, and you can come home to a cozy and warm room just the way you want.
Don’t use an extension cord
A very important thing everyone should note down while using electric fireplaces is to not use extension cords. Remember, extension cords catch fire easily if the wire overheats. These heaters don’t work like our phone batteries that you can quickly get them charged from an extension cord. You don’t want to come home to a disaster.
Plug your heater into a wall outlet and if you really want to use an extension cord, make sure it is a three-wire cord of the best quality. But again, for safety measures, avoid extension cords when it comes to electric fireplaces.
Keep flammable objects away
Of course, electric fireplaces don’t produce flames, but wires are used in the process to produce heat. And once those wire gets burned, like any other short circuits, a fire disaster is likely to occur. Always use proper cords while using electric fireplaces, and never use an extension cord. Keep flammable objects away from the fireplace as much as possible to avoid future accidents. Make sure to plug your heater into an appropriate socket, like your wall outlet.
Set on a flat and stable surface
It is essential to set your electric fireplaces on flat and stable surfaces to avoid falling down of the heaters out of balance and causing accidents. One best way to put your fireplace is against the wall. You can also set your fireplace on top of a carpet or on any stable surface. Make sure you place heating elements under the legs of the heaters to prevent any fire accidents.
Keep clean and free of dust
Keep your electric fireplace clean and free of dust in order to use it for a longer time. Besides, you don’t want people to come to a dirty fireplace. Clean the glass panel using warm water and soap. Don’t use alcohol-based cleaners! Those will cause fire once you light up the heater.
If you’re using a forced fan heater, make sure you clean and dust off every corner of the heater. Doing these will elongate your heaters’ life span, and you don’t have to spend money on buying another one for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are BTUs?
BTUs or British Thermal Units are the units of energy. BTU measures thermal energy in the form of heat, and it is often used as a measurement in the heating and air-conditioning industry. The heating power is represented in BTUs, and the input electrical power is given in Watts. Note: 1 BTU is equal to 0.293 Watts.
How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace?
Electric fireplaces will not cost you much. However, the bill will be slightly different according to the heat that you use. If you use less flame with less or no heat, it’ll cost you around 8 cents to 20 cents per hour. But if you activate the flame, it’ll cost you about 30 to 50 cents. The bill will double when you maximize the heat.
It will hardly cost you a hundred dollars to use an electric fireplace. And when it’s cost-efficient and environmentally friendly, what’s stopping you from buying one!
Are electric fireplaces safe to run in a basement?
The answer is a big Yes. Electric fireplaces are very much safe to run in a basement. As winters get really chilly, people install electric fireplaces in their basements to heat up the place really warm and cozy. Besides, accidents due to electric fireplaces are infrequent. These heaters were built and designed in a way to replace the gas and traditional fireplaces that are costlier, more complicated, hazardous to health and dangerous if not taken good care of.
Is one electric fireplace enough to heat a basement?
It depends on the size of your basement. If your basement is small or less than 400 square feet, a small electric fireplace will do the job since the heat quickly covers a space of 400 square feet.
Even if you have a more oversized fireplace, you don’t have to purchase another electric fireplace unless your basement is 1000 square feet. Your basement will be heated up real nice and warm either way. So basically, the point is that a 1500w electric fireplace should be more than enough to heat any basement. However, if your basement takes up many areas, you can always consider buying another fireplace.
Do you need a special power outlet for your electric fireplace?
No. There are no specific power outlets for an electric fireplace. And you definitely do not need a dedicated circuit to plug in your heater. See, most electric fireplaces need only a standard 120-volt outlet, and this 120 volt will support the 1500 watts. But if your basement occupies an area of around 1000 square feet, you will need a 240 volt-out-let, enough to heat the whole space comfortably.
Most of the electric fireplaces run on a standard household outlet. Make sure you plug your heater into a circuit that isn’t shared with other heavy appliances.
Warning: Never plug your electric fireplace into an extension cord.
Can I install the electric fireplace myself?
Of course, you can install the electric fireplace by yourself. You can also follow the manual and do the installation by yourself. It takes only a few seconds to install these heaters, and besides, hiring an expert will cost you at least a thousand bucks to get it fixed or installed.
It’s very much simpler than going to collect firewoods, bringing them home, assembling them and lighting up the fire. With an electric fireplace, all you need is a flat or stable surface to set the heater and a power outlet to plug in the fireplace.
However, sometimes it also depends on the type of fireplace you opt for. If you’re getting a wall-mounted electric fireplace, you might have to call a professional to get the job done unless you have some good knowledge about electric fireplaces.
Read the instructions properly, or watch installation videos on YouTube to make the process easier and save time and money!
Closing Thoughts
Now that you are at the end of the article, you basically have good knowledge of how electric fireplaces work. These electric heaters really are life-savers, and they are one of the most cost-efficient ways to heat up a home. You save both energy and time when you use an electric fireplace.
No harmful gases get emitted from these electric heaters. You don’t need to buy those expensive power and money consuming heaters that prove to be unsafe for your health. Electric fireplaces really are worth the money spent if you come to think of it. Well, as a matter of fact, they are cost-efficient as well. You don’t have to buy coal or wood every fall and winter!
You don’t have to take many safety precautions as well when it comes to electric fireplaces. Yearly expense on electric heaters is way less than compared to bills on gas and other house heaters. See, it costs just a few cents per hour to use an electric fireplace.
And if you take good care of its maintenance by cleaning and dusting it on a regular basis, it’ll last you a long time.
Given above are all the pros and cons of purchasing an electric fireplace. Now it’s up to you to decide which one of the heaters will be well suited to your home!