Fireplace Comparsions

In spite of what we have thought all these years, wood-burning fireplaces are the poorest choice in heating technology. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy says "the best way to save energy with a fireplace is to seal it up"!

Energy Efficiency

Wood-burning  fireplaces are nice to look at but remove more heat from the house than they produce. In fact, a vertical-back fireplace with an open front is only 10% efficient in converting wood to heat and delivering it to a room.  This means 90% of the heat goes up the chimney.

Our Symphony electric fireplaces are 100% efficient.  All of the energy supplied to the unit is converted into heat, which stays in the room to keep you warm.  No heat energy is vented outside as in gas units or wood-burning units.

Cost to Operate

The flame in our Symphony Electric Fireplaces uses slightly under 300 Watts of power.  With an average electricity rate, the unit operates for a remarkable 2¢/hr, providing all the warmth, ambiance and romance of a fireplace.  When you choose to activate the heat feature, the total cost to operate the flame and heater is approximately 7¢/hr.

Gas units are generally advertised to cost a minimum of  17¢/hr, more than double the cost of your 100% efficient Electric fireplace!

Fireplace Maintenance

Wood-burning require a great deal of maintenance to prepare for using them.  For example, the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) recommends these procedures be followed to prep a wood-burning fireplace:

Make sure chimneys and vents are clear of creosote buildup or obstruction.
Clean out ashes from previous fires
Add a fire screen in front of the fireplace to protect against sparks
Open the damper
Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of newspapers and flammable items
Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Make sure firewood is dry and well-seasoned.

In addition, for you and your family's safety, HPBA also recommends:

Make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed.
Make sure glass doors are installed properly
Don't use more than one manufactured firelog at a time
Never burn garbage, charcoal or plastic in the fireplace
Keep small children and pets away from the fireplace.
Never leave a fire unattended
Don't close the damper until the embers have stopped burning
Don't store ashes in paper bags or store them near the house until cooled.

Compare this to the prep work for a Symphony Electric Fireplace:

Plug it in!

The Symphony fireplace plugs into any standard 120-volt outlet and does not require a dedicated circuit.  It's as easy as plugging in a lamp!  In addition, the fireplace does not require any venting pipelines for fuel or expensive professional reconstruction to your home.

And for you and your family's safety, these procedures should be followed:

Turn the fireplace off just before going to bed.

To ensure the safety of your family members, no combustible energy sources are used to produce the flame. This means that you never need worry about oxygen depletion or carbon monoxide poisoning in your home, and the glass remains cool to the touch to ensure children don't burn their hands. Other safety features include impact resistance safety glass and safety cut out with reset controls.

We think you will agree that this comparison is very persuasive.  If we can help you make your selection, please e-mail us.

Click here to read our Frequently Asked Questions about Electric Fireplaces

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