From saving money to being a healthier alternative to burning wood, electric fireplaces have many benefits. Read on to find out why they are the best addition to your home this winter (or any time of year)!

1. No smoking

Wood burning fireplaces release carcinogens and dangerous fumes, such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, into your home. Inhaling these fumes can be dangerous for your family and pets. Even switching to woods that are supposed to produce more heat and less smoke still produces harmful smoke that reduces the air quality in your home. However, electric fireplaces have zero emissions and no dangerous by-products.

With an electric fireplace, long gone are the days when the whole house smelled of smoke. You can have a fireplace without noxious smoke or smoky odors seeping into carpets, rugs, sofas, clothing, or beds. Additionally, those with allergies and medical conditions such as asthma can find comfort and convenience in more advanced heating technology. Some electric fireplaces, for example, employ infrared heat to keep the air from drying out and to assist maintain natural humidity for better heat.

2. Energy efficient

Electric fireplaces are one of the most efficient ways to heat a home and heat rooms faster and more efficiently than wood-burning fireplaces. As the heat increases, traditional fireplaces let all the heat out through the chimney. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "most traditional open fireplaces lose more than 90 percent of the heat from the fire in the fireplace, and much of the warm air in the room accompanies it." Since drafts come in through the fireplace, your already heated room cools down again after a few blasts of frosty air. With an electric fireplace, rooms heat up quickly and stay warm during use.

LED technology is also built into many Twin Star Home ™ electric fireplaces, consuming less energy than normal incandescent bulbs. The normal lifespan of an LED bulb is 50,000 hours and it does not contain mercury. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs much less to operate. The LED bulb also stays cool to the touch because it produces about 90% less heat than an incandescent bulb. Also, there is no deforestation associated with enjoying the flame of an electric fireplace, so the forests will be very happy with you too.

3. Save money

You may have guessed that the energy efficiency of electric fireplaces also makes them more cost-effective. As for the fireplaces, the electric one is the least expensive. One reason is that electric fireplaces provide supplemental zone heating. Zone heating saves money by allowing you to lower the overall temperature in your home by 10-15 degrees. Then heat only the room that is occupied. This concept reduces the use of wasted energy and could save you up to 10% on your energy bills.

Electric fireplaces also save you expensive chimney cleanings, service checks, and installation fees. For wood-burning fireplaces, the costs associated with installation and maintenance tend to be exorbitant. With a traditional fireplace, you can expect to pay $ 7,000 to $ 10,000 or more to install. Plus, the associated costs can add up quickly. Inspecting the fireplace, cleaning the fireplace, wood, and heat loss escaping from the fireplace can all increase those numbers. Gas fireplace units cost about $ 2,500 for basic materials, along with another $ 2,500 for installation and finishing. Gas fireplaces also require annual service checks plus a fireplace inspection, which can cost anywhere from $ 100 to $ 200. In the meantime, an electric fireplace allows you to simply plug it in and enjoy it.

4. Low maintenance

Having the atmosphere and warmth of a fireplace is much easier to enjoy when there is little or no maintenance involved. You can always choose to avoid the average cost of $ 200- $ 300 for a traditional fireplace cleaning by doing the cleaning yourself. However, that can take a lot of effort! No ash and soot and no fireplace cleaning with electric fireplace. It is not necessary to cut or store logs, since no firewood is needed to take advantage of the heat. Nor is it necessary to get on your knees or squat in awkward positions to light or tend the fire. With an electric fireplace, you can just sit back and relax and use the remote to control the fireplace from across the room.

5. Anyone can enjoy an electric fireplace

Renters and those who live in apartments, condos, tiny homes, and even recreational vehicles (RVs) rarely enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace. With electric fireplaces, anyone can enjoy dancing flames in any room in their home. Since there is no need for a fireplace, electric fireplaces can be placed at any level in a building. Small living spaces are not a problem either. A variety of models means that they can also be placed in homes of any size to offer that relaxing environment that a fireplace provides.

6. Longer service life

Electric fireplaces have a longer lifespan compared to their wood and gas counterparts. Because they are not a combustible energy resource, electric fireplaces are not susceptible to rust and corrosion. Wear one for several years and it will keep looking as new as the first day you received it.

7. Easy installation

One of the best things about electric fireplaces is the ease of installation. It is a one-step process! All you have to do is plug it in and you're good to go. By contrast, wood and gas fireplaces are expensive, time-consuming, and a hassle to install. Often you need a professional for installation.