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| How Does an Electric Fireplace Work? |
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Today’s electric fireplaces are beautiful furnishings for any home, with flickering flames whose intensity you can adjust from a quiet glow to a roaring fire, realistic sound, and a safe and energy-efficient heating method. With so many advantages, you might wonder how an electric fireplace works.
How the Heating Elements in Electric Fireplaces Work
Most electric fireplaces use a fan forced heater to spread warmth throughout a room. Fan forced heaters work by using electricity to heat large metal coils within the electric fireplace. A fan is then used to direct the heat from the coils outward into the room. Fan forced heaters work in a very energy efficient manner, with the fans allowing heat distribution over a large area. The units inside of electric fireplaces also provide heat instantly as soon as they are turned on, with no delay for heating elements to warm. The fan forced heaters of electric fireplaces are also very quiet, thanks to their silent fans.
How the Illusion of a Fire in an Electric Fireplace Works
Today, it can be difficult to tell at first glance that the flickering light from an electric fireplace is not coming from a true fire. Unlike older fireplace models that used a static image, flames today seem to be flickering amid the logs rather than behind them. This is achieved by using refracted light in a random three-dimensional pattern, just like in a conventional wood fire. The refracted light works by using regular light bulbs which can be bought at any hardware store, and which are easy to replace. You can even select the kind of fire you want to view – from a blazing conflagration to a gentle glow – with the turn of a dial.
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