If you are looking to transition to electric fireplaces then you have probably heard of their numerous upsides, which include their convenience in use, cost, portability, and high safety. And like many other individuals looking to transition to electric fireplaces, we are certain the question “Are electric fireplaces expensive to run?” has crossed your mind.
In all honesty, the answer to this question is YES and NO.
If your focus is on electric fireplaces alone then the answer is simply YES. This is because they are huge energy guzzlers just like any other electrical home appliance. Electric fireplaces increase the monthly electricity bill in an average household by a substantial percentage. However, this is dependent on your usage of the electric fireplace. The longer you use your electric fireplace the higher the cost to run it and vice versa.
On the flip, if you are comparing electric fireplaces to gas and wood-burning fireplaces then the answer is definitely NO. This is because, on top of normal operational costs, gas and wood-burning fireplaces have additional maintenance costs that hike their operation costs even higher.
Computing the cost of running an electric fireplace
If you already own an electric fireplace and or intend to find out the cost to run a unit, here is a step-by-step guide:
- Find the wattage of your unit
If you are yet to purchase a unit we advise you to acquire a 1500-watt one, since it is the best for supplemental heating. However, if you are on the cost-cutting route or want to heat a smaller space, pick one with either 1000 watts or 750 watts. The downside with 1000 watts or 750 watts options is that they’ll take a longer time to heat up a middle-sized room.
If you already own an electric fireplace and cannot seem to find its wattage, we advise you to phone the manufacturer or check the specks of the specific model you own online
- Find the cost per kilowatt-hour in your location
The cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) varies depending on the area you live. Some places have a lower cost while other areas have a higher cost per kWh. That said, to find the cost per kWh in your area check your electricity bill.
- Determine how long the fireplace will be in use.
You can approximate the number of hours you intend to use the electric fireplace. On average people use their units for 6 to 8 hours a day. The number of hours a unit is used is subject to change based on the weather. For instance, on a cold day, the usage of an electric fireplace will be higher than on a warm day.
- Compute the cost
You will now use the information you have gathered above to calculate the total cost.
- First, convert the watts of your electric fireplace to kWh. Assuming the unit you picked uses 1500 watts:
1,500 watts/ 1,000 = 1.5 kilowatts
- Next, multiply the electricity usage of the unit by the number of hours you intend to use it. Assuming you will use the electric fireplace for 7 hours a day:
1.5kwh x 7 hours= 10.5 kWh
- Finally, multiply the total electricity usage of your unit per day by the cost of electricity per kWh. Assuming the cost per kWh is 12 cents:
10.5kwh x 12 cents = $1.26
To find out how much it will cost monthly if you use the electric fireplace daily for 7 hours, multiply the amount by 30 days:
$1.26 x 30days = $37.8
- It is important to note that this calculation will only give you a rough estimate of how much it will cost to run your electric fireplace. This is down to electricity companies having additional charges on top of the amount you get after calculation.
Useful tips to reduce your electric fireplace running costs
To help you save on the cost of running your electric fireplace, here are some useful tips and tricks you can adapt to your lifestyle:
- Use a fan
Using a ceiling fan with your electric fireplace concurrently helps heat up a room more effectively. This significantly reduces the time your heater will need to be running. if you are wondering, ceiling fans use less electricity in comparison with electric fireplaces.
- Use the thermostat
If your unit has a thermostat put it to use and you will end up saving a lot in the long run. The thermostat ensures the unit maintains a constant room temperature. This means that the electric fireplace does not run on full blast throughout and ends up saving on the energy consumed.
However, if your unit lacks a thermostat consider acquiring an electric fireplace with one.
- Ensure your house is properly insulated.
When your house is properly insulated the electric fireplace will be more effective in heating up the space. This is because cold air will not seep into the room, therefore, requiring the heater to raise the room’s temperature again. Additionally, warm air will not escape from the room by leaking out.
- Keep doors and windows closed
When heating up a room, make sure the doors and windows are locked. The idea is that, similar to insulating your house, you do not want warm air to escape from the room. If warm escapes the room temperatures drop hence requiring the heater to use more energy to maintain the room’s temperature.
- Opt for electric fireplaces with LED lights
Generally, electric fireplaces with an LED light consume less energy compared with those with a regular bulb. In addition LED lights outlast bulbs meaning you will not need to regularly incur replacement costs.
- Use a lower heat setting
Using your electric fireplace on a lower but comfortable heat setting can end up saving you up to half the price incurred when using a unit on high heat settings. For that reason fine tune the heat settings on your unit to a low but still sufficient heating level.
- Turn off the flame light
You can save a lot on the energy consumption of your unit by sacrificing the ‘glorious flames’ electric fireplaces are renowned for. You should turn off the flames at times when you just need to heat up a room but not improve its aesthetics. It might not seem like much but in the long run, the cents will add up to a significant amount.
Conclusion
When compared to gas and wood-burning fireplaces electric ones are the least expensive to run. But as a home electric appliance, electric fireplaces are quite expensive to run. Fortunately, the cost of running electric fireplaces can be reduced with a few tweaks in how you use your fireplace. The tips we have provided in this article will certainly do the magic.
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