How are Electric Fireplaces Eco-friendly for the Environment

I can’t be the only one who loves the feeling of coming to a fireplace on a cold winter night. I am sure you also love the warm feeling it brings.  

One thing that distinguishes man from other animals is his ability to invent and improve upon his inventions.

Soon enough, new fire places with upgrades based on new sources of fuel and the aesthetics of man were invented.

The fireplace has evolved to become the most attractive place in a house. While in the past, wood was perfect as the fuel for a fireplace, in more recent times, people have started seeing the fireplace as a way to decorate the house; hence, the consideration of electric and gas fireplaces. Several other advantages of gas and electric over wood fireplaces (such as the need for an easier means to obtain fuel) have also made them great options for consideration. 

Thanks to the unending number of inventions by man, the electric fireplace is now widely known. The electric fireplace has been accepted as an upgrade to wood and gas fireplaces, as the only fuel needed to get it to work is electricity, making it cheaper and of course, eco-friendly.

While I have said a lot of things, this article would focus more on explaining to you how electric fireplace is truly the best eco-friendly option, over wood and gas.

Today, there are more convenient versions of the electric fireplace, as you now have the liberty to choose between the wall mount & freestanding electric fireplaces.

However, this is not the focus of this article. To consider whether the electric fireplace is the better eco-wise option, let’s take a look at some of the alternatives and some of their effects on the environment.

Here Are Some Alternatives to the Electric Fireplace:

Wood fireplaces

• Wood smoke contains toxic gases carbon monoxide and smog-causing nitrogen oxides that can adversely affect you, a part of the global ecosystem.
•  Uses wood as fuel

• Wood smoke is dangerous for the environment as it contributes to the creation of smog, acid rain and a whole lot of other environmental issues.

Gas fireplace

• Uses gas as fuel

• Produces water vapor, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, all of which are harmful to the indoor and outdoor atmosphere.

As for electric fireplaces, their annual maintenance is cheaper. This is proven in the fact that while it takes $190 to maintain a wood fireplace annually and it takes $60 to maintain a gas fireplace annually, it only takes $25 to maintain an electric fireplace annually. 

Additionally, the types of pollution seen in gas and wooden fireplaces do not occur with the use of electric fireplaces. They are also safer, as there are no open flames during their use. This also implies zero emissions. Resultantly, they have more positive impacts on the environment.

Some of which include:

No fear of fire

There are countless numbers of cases of house fires caused by an accident by the fireplace. And we know what wildfires do to the ozone layer. With the electric fireplace, there is no creosote buildup or embers that can cause fire. In fact, no combustion of fuel takes place in the electric fireplace. You may ask, so what are those flames? The truth is that those flames are not real and are just there to provide that artificial feeling of using a traditional fireplace.

No harmful emission

When wood and gas are burnt in the fireplace, they release harmful gases and fumes like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide which are really harmful to the environment. Since the electric fireplaces are powered by electricity from the national grid, the question of harmful gases does not arise.

Conclusion

While the electric fireplace is least likely to cause trouble for the environment because of its eco-friendly features, trouble might arise if the cable and control equipment are not properly installed or maintained.

Nothing can be absolutely guaranteed, so our carefulness when operating these fireplaces (electric or not) can be the eco-friendliest thing to do.