Fireplaces in homes have seen a transition from wood fires which create an environmental hazard, to gas fires which can be expensive to install, to electric fires. Fireplaces which are equipped to create of logs burning using electric fires has recently risen in popularity for two reasons. First, the cost of electricity is still affordable in these harsh economic climates; and secondly, electric fires now look and feel the same as wood fires.

The greatest convenience when one is selecting an electric fireplace is that the unit can be placed anywhere where there is an electrical outlet. The fireplaces do not require any special installation equipment or adjustment to the wiring in a home. It is very common to purchase a unit, take it out of the box at home, and plug it in to begin enjoying the beauty and heat that it provides.

Historically electric fireplaces were built using a rather unattractive design that had little resemblance to a real fireplace. Today, with the advances in technology, these fireplaces are designed to fit any decor or style that they are used in.

Smaller electric fireplaces can be run from a 110 volt electrical outlet while the larger fireplaces may require the installation of a 240 volt electrical outlet. The fireplaces do not require a chimney or mantel and the skill required for installation is totally dependent on the type of fireplace that is being installed.

Most of these fireplaces are built with a fan which is not visible to the casual observer. When one sees the electrical fire in the fireplace the fan is sending heat throughout a room, just as a regular electric heater does. Depending on the size of the fireplace the fan may be a small 350 watt to a large 3500 watt unit that sits behind the flames of the fireplace.

As with gas fireplaces, the heat that is released from an electric fireplace can be easily controlled. A new product allows the installation of a thermostat on the fireplace which will turn the fireplace on when the temperature drops so that an individual arriving home on a cold night walks into a warm room with electrical fires aglow in the hearth of their fireplace.

Electric logs can also be used in standard fireplaces. These logs are available with cords that plug into a wall socket by the fireplace. When plugged in the electric fires heat is dispersed throughout a room just as with a wood burning fire. The logs are designed to give the illusion of flames rising from the logs and have a bed of hot ash below on which they sit. When using electric logs in a standard fireplace it is important to remember that the flue is closed so that the heat does not escape through the chimney.

The cost of electric fireplaces and logs which produce electric fires varies greatly. An individual may choose a unit that is small and will keep a room warm or select a large fireplace that will be the focal point of a family room. These fireplaces can be placed against a wall or built into a wall depending on the preference of the owner.