Dixie Products Help Center Electric Fireplace Information

Electric fireplaces are classified as Zero Clearance Units. That means they can be installed wherever there is electrical power, and you don't need to worry about nearby combustible materials (i.e. wood). This is because an electric fireplace doesn't produce real fire or flames. Thus they don't require a chimney or flue. They're a great choice for people who want the ambiance of a fireplace but don't have an existing fireplace or chimney system in their home. Also, electric fireplaces can be cheaper than gas fireplaces in homes that run solely on electricity. Running a gas line to the house simply for the purpose of having a gas fireplace can be expensive.

I caught a Q&A section in an online newspaper that brought up electric fireplaces. Someone was asking if electric fireplaces could save you money on heating bills. I didn't see how since you're still using electricity to heat your home--it's just coming from what is the equivalent of a space heater instead of a central heating system. The article pointed out, however, that a room heater can sometimes be more efficient if you're only interested in heating one room of the house. So, if you spend all your time in the living room, it might be more efficient to run an electric fireplace than have the heat on for the whole house.
Source: Electric fireplaces cast a room-warming glow

Electric Fireplace Cost
The costs for installing electric fireplaces including logs can range from $600 to more than $1500. Building a frame/mantel for the fireplace, special finishes, or marble will add to the total price tag.

Installation of an Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces are easier to install than wood-burning or gas fireplaces. While not exactly a simple task, the installation can be done by an experienced DIY (do it yourself) type. See below under sources for a run-through of the installation process. The main reason electric fireplaces are a little simpler than gas fireplaces is because you don't have to deal with a chimney or venting system. They can be located in any room. The smaller fireplaces usually run off a standard 100 volt outlet, though larger models often require hard-wired 240 volt connections.

Electric Fireplaces & Heat
With electric fireplaces, heat doesn't escape up the chimney like it does with wood-burning fireplaces. It all goes out into the room. The heaters can be switched on and off so you can enjoy the atmosphere of your fire year around. Usually these heaters are fan-forced and from between 350 to 3000 watts in size.
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Choose the location so the fireplace makes a good focal point to your room; since it's electric, you'll need to make sure there's an outlet nearby.
Lay out all the components that came with your pit. The base is probably already assembled. You'll then complete the assembly with the rest of the base pieces as directed in your particular model's instructions.
Place the cabinet (the wood exterior part) against the wall and in front of, or near, the chosen electrical outlet (you can hide the cord if you install in front of the outlet).
Remove the glass from the fireplace front and take out the box of logs.
Plug in the power cord and tuck the firebox into the cabinet.
If a liner came with the fireplace, place it in the appropriate spots indicated in the directions.
Check the installation diagram to see how best to place the logs.
Flick on the power for a moment, to ensure the logs turn on.
Turn it off, then screw on the glass front (wipe fingerprints/smudges off both sides before securing it).
Install any remaining trim

Electric fireplaces are growing in popularity amongst homeowners. Does that mean one is right for you? Let's take a look at the benefits (don't worry, we'll hit on the cons too):
They are great for people who want to add the warmth and style of a fireplace without building a permanent unit (whether wood-burning or gas), which includes the labor and cost of installing a chimney or venting to the outside. Because the electric units are not actually burning anything (they only simulate flames), they do not steal CO2 or vent potentially toxic fumes. With an electric fireplace, you simply plug the unit into a standard 120-volt outlet and flip the switch.

These units can be built into a fireplace surround with mantel and the whole works or they can simply stand against a wall, a scenario that means no tools are required for installation. Many electric fireplaces come with surrounds and mantels to give them a realistic look with no effort. This simplicity and ease is what attracts many homeowners to these appliances. Also, they can be installed in places traditional fireplaces or wood-burning stoves cannot. For example, it's no problem putting an electric fireplace into a trailer or a high-rise condominium.

Ok, let's talk about the cons of electric fireplaces, lest I start to sound like a smarmy sales person. For one thing, these fireplaces are basically just glorified space heaters. If all you want is warmth, and you don't mind paying an electricity bill to get it, you could buy a simple heater for much less. The reason people buy electric fireplaces is more for the ambiance and the focal point they can create in a room. They do certainly work as heaters though. Most new models come with a built-in thermostat, so that when the room reaches the desired temperature, the heater automatically flips off.

One con of these fireplaces is that they have a bad reputation in that they do not look realistic. After all, nothing is really burning in there, so it's not going to look like a snapping and crackling wood fire. However, the technology is improving, and a lot of today's electric fireplaces use randomized filtering of lighting to simulate glowing embers and flame patterns that are reminiscent of the real deal. The best thing to do is visit a dealer and see a number of units turned on before you make a decision.

Now that we have touched on pros and cons, let's take a look at options. Today's electric fireplaces have such perks as built-in fans to distribute the heat more thoroughly, air filtration systems to clean the air as it is heated, a heatless setting in case all you want is the look of flickering flames, and of course most of these units come with remote controls (heaven forbid, we have to get off our couches to turn on the fireplace).

Ok, but what about the price, you ask? Electric fireplaces are cheaper than gas fireplaces, and you can get a pretty decent model for about $500 (even cheaper models are available, though they tend to have fewer perks and less realistic flames).
Source: Sunset's Ideas for Great Fireplaces