When you are looking to buy an electric fireplace it is hard to know which to pick. The main reason is due to the fact that there are so many types now. Not only do you have multiple brands making them but you have multiple looks. The fireplace shown below is a traditional looking wood with a mantel.

Types of Electric Fireplaces

An electric fireplace comes with one heat source, electricity. You simply plug it in. It is essentially an electric heater. When I was looking to buy an electric fireplace it felt a little overwhelming. The first thing I did was study the various types to determine the look of what I wanted. Here is an image of various types.

In the image above from left to right you will notice 6 different electric fireplaces.

Electric Fireplace Insert
Starting on the far left we have what is known as an electric fireplace insert. An insert allows you to turn an existing fireplace into an electric one by placing the insert inside, it is that that easy.

Wall Mounted Fireplace
The second from the left is an example of a wall mounted electric fireplace. You do not need to cut into the wall and it typically does not sit on the floor. A wall mounted fireplace can be placed anywhere on a wall at any height, much like a flat panel television or a painting.

Traditional Fireplace with Mantel
The image in the center has the look of a traditional wood exterior and mantel. This allows you to place it in any room of your house as long as their is an electrical outlet. Imagine adding a fireplace to a bedroom, guest room, play room, anywhere you would like cost efficient heat.

Wood Stove
The second from the right looks like a wood stove from years ago. This is a great way to heat a room with style. Depending on your decor this may fit right in.

Varying Materials
The fireplace on the far right has a stone look to the exterior and a marble or granite look to the mantel. There are many different materials that can be used to match the decor of any room you may be looking to place it in.

A Guide to Electric Fireplaces Here: Buy Electric Fireplaces

Where to Buy Electric Fireplaces

If you are like me you want to be sure you are methodical in your process of picking the right one.

Type of Fireplace
First take a look at the type of fireplace you are interested in. From the image above you can narrow down to the type you need. You may want a traditional looking fireplace with a mantel.

Types of Materials
Secondly decide on the materials. Once you have decided on the type, how exactly do you want it to look. This may greatly depend on the room you are placing it in. So now decide on whether it should be a wood, stone, marble, or other material. After narrowing down the type of material, you will realize that each of those materials have a multitude of types. Wood for example can be many different types and just from that image above you can see a dark smooth wood on the wall mounted unit and a lighter more ornate wood on the traditional fireplace.

Features
There are a variety of features that each can have. Some you merely turn on and off, while other electric fireplaces allow for greater control. As an example you can obtain a fireplace with a remote control and the ability to set the temperature at a specific degree. Also a nice feature is to have the fireplace on without having the heat. Some will cost just a couple cents an hour to run the fireplace without generating heat. This way you can have the look without the heat.

As you can imagine there are many different types so take your time when you buy electric heaters and electric fireplaces.