We're planning to install an electric fireplace in our ICF house.  The reason for choosing an electric model is:

1.  Avoid having an energy wasting flue.  This rules out a standard masonry or other wood burning FP.  Direct vent fireplaces are more energy efficient, but must have well-sealed glass doors and combustion air feed which drive up the cost.

2. Eliminate the accumulation of water vapor, CO and other combustion products within the interior of this tightly constructed house.   Gas-fired, ventless fireplaces are completely inappropriate in our situation.

3.  A large flat screen TV will be mount above the FP, so excessive heat generation is not desirable.

4. Be able to use the fireplace any time of year with or without heat.


I've seen some modern electrics in showrooms which do a good job of mimicking a real flame.  We find these optical flames more or less acceptable for our purposes.  The Dimplex OptiFlame built-in fireplace is one we like a lot.

My questions:  Has anyone installed an electric fireplace?  Which brands do you think produce the most realistic looking flame?  Are there factors that I should be aware of to get the best results?  For example, is an simulated flame FP sensitive to its location with respect to nearby windows?  Are there any models which produce the sounds of a real fireplace?

HELLO, WERE THINKING ALIKE,,I HAVE PURCHASED TWO ELECTRIC FIREPLACES FOR OUR ICF HOME.... NO MORE THAN WE USE THEM THE DIMPLEX SYSTEM IS GREAT.. WE USE OUR FIREPLACE IN THE FRONT ROOM FOR CHRISTMAS ETC. THE ONE IN THE MASTER BEDROOM IS FOR OTHER REASONS. MOST UPPER END SYSTEMS HAVE A SOUND LIKE CRACKLING ETC. JUST REMEMBER ITS NOT A REAL FIREPLACE LIKE WOOD OR GAS, BUT FOR THE MONEY WE BOUGHT OUR SYSTEMS FROM NEBRASKA FURNITURE MART , ONLINE ..... THEY MATCH OR BEAT ANY PRICE AND SHIP ANYWHERE IN THE USA.

this is for looks only and not heat generation corect?

no... they produce heat also,  ours is 1200 watts...

 

Hi Clark,

I would visit a few more showrooms just to be sure. They do vary quite a bit in terms of quality and realistic flames.

Most units simulate flame using a hollow drum with flame-like slots machined out of it. This drum rotates slowly around a normal incandescent bulb and casts light onto a screen, most also have glowing embers with separate light control. I find the quality of screen and other ornaments makes the difference. Its also nice to have adjustable flame / embers to suit the room lighting. I have not seen any that create a realistic sound, but you could try a Woodwick candle, they're pretty cool and create the snap and crackle of a fire.

If your house is airtight, you'll need an air exchanger to remove moisture build up from regular living activities (showering, cooking, breathing) which accumulate quickly. I have a passive solar home (which is airtight and well insulated) that has only electric heat, and it takes a few hours of ventilation using a HRV daily to keep the moisture down. It is truly amazing how much moisture regular activities can release in an airtight home.

I find them more of a show piece than a heater, especially in an open concept home since the heat rises up to the loft so quickly, you barely feel it just a few feet away. I am looking into radiant products since I find the heat much more comfortable. I am surprised none of these electric fireplace companies thought of an electric radiant fireplace yet!

Ryan

Thanks, Ryan for the good information.  I, too, have a very tightly built home and have installed an HRV to keep the humidity down.  Going with an electric fireplace is essential, in my opinion, to avoid adding extra moisture and combustion gases into the interior air.

The woodwick candle is an interesting idea to simulate the sound of a wood burning fireplace.  I've also heard of connecting an inexpensive CD player to the electric fireplace which plays a wood burning fireplace mood CD whenever the fireplace is turned on.  The closer the speakers are to the fireplace, the better the simulation. 

I'm in a one-story home with no vaulted ceilings, so the electric heat from the fireplace may be more noticeable than your experience.  It would be fun to experiment with a radiant heat hearth, however.  I have a boiler for central heating already, and I could install another zone under the hearth to simulate the radiant heat affect of a real fireplace.  I wonder if anyone has tried it.  The density of the tubing would be critical to produce a noticeable radiant effect. 

Lennox used to market an electric fireplace called "Reflections."  People claimed that its simulation of a wood burning fireplace was the best -- sound and all.  At about $2000, it didn't sell well and was taken off the market.  It contained a DVD player, CRT monitor and reflection glass to generate the fire image and sound. 

The electric fireplaces that 've seen demonstrated in showrooms look best behind glass doors or a wire curtain.  Otherwise, the angled reflective glass is noticeable under certain lighting conditions.  The showrooms try to display their fireplaces in optimal lighting conditions to obtain the best possible simulation effect. That makes me think that the location of windows in the room is important for obtaining a realistic look.  Any advice on that score?

I love your mantle, tile surround, and built ins. Do you have a Picasa or Flickr account with more pics of your place?

Posted By galnar on 20 Jul 2010 12:24 AM
I love your mantle, tile surround, and built ins. Do you have a Picasa or Flickr account with more pics of your place?

Thanks, for the complement, galnar.  Yes, you can view more pictures here.

* electricity may be more expensive than other fuel sources
* some plastic, cheap-looking versions are sold - use caution when shopping
* flames don't look as real as an actual fire would
* amount of heat may vary, depending on the power of the unit
* not a backup heat source if your power goes out

Posted By greencleaning on 16 Dec 2010 07:09 AM
* electricity may be more expensive than other fuel sources
* some plastic, cheap-looking versions are sold - use caution when shopping
* flames don't look as real as an actual fire would
* amount of heat may vary, depending on the power of the unit
* not a backup heat source if your power goes out

Your're right, there are downsides to an electric fireplace depending on your requirements.  One should weigh the pluses and minuses before buying.  I've owned several types of fireplaces over the years: masonry, metal liner, gas log , and even a fireplace that supplemented the central heating system.  I never considered an electric because the models on display at the home centers looked so unrealistic.  You have to go to a specialty fireplace shop to see a good electric and expect to pay $800 to $1200 just for the insert depending on the size.  The use of LEDs and various optical techniques simulate the look of an open hearth fire pretty well.  What's missing is the sound and the radiant heat of a real flame fire.  Also, the sound of the built-in heater fan detracts from the overall experience, so I don't use it.  It's the convenience and cleanliness of an electric fireplace that is its biggest draw.  It's also the most healthful and energy efficient (if you don't use the heater) option because there are no emissions (CO, CO2, H2O) and no heat robbing flue.

I'm in the process of replacing a B-vent gas fireplace with an electric, not so much for heat, but just the light show.  However, some time at a sister-in-law's place with a plasma screen over top of a fireplace convinced me that the TV-over-fireplace arrangement only makes sense if you do up a full home theater setup with reclining seats with head rests.  The reason was that that extended periods of watching TV would inevitably cause neck strain, as the TV center point was way higher than seated head level.  Not very comfortable, but I guess YMMV.

BTW, Clark, your setup looks really well-done.  Which Dimplex did you end up getting?  In the course of researching, I found a standalone stove from Paramount of all people with a surprisingly realistic flame (most of their other models look fake) but which, alas, did not quite fit in the space available.  I also found a few places selling the Dimplex Opti-Myst system, which looked really sweet, but not yet widely available where I live when I bought.

The bottom edge of my 55" Samsung LED TV is 62" above the floor. Neither my wife nor I spend extended periods watching TV, a couple of hours at a sitting is about the max. I haven't noticed any neck strain issues. I did install the TV with a slight downward tilt to compensate for the high viewing angle. If you view the TV from a recliner, the high positioning of the TV is actually a good thing. It's also ideal while watching from a standing position, like when preparing food or washing dishes (our big screen TV is viewable from the kitchen).

My fireplace liner is the Dimplex Opti-Flame 45" model which I bought on E-bay for $840 including shipping. It has a built-in heater and replacable air filter. The new Opti-Myst models are a step up the realism ladder. They use an atomized mist of water to simulate a 3-D flame and smoke (but not the sound of burning logs). The water evaporates into the room air space which is desirable in most homes in the winter. In my super-sealed house, I need to work to keep the humidity down year round, so the Opti-myst would not have been my best option, had it been available at the time. If that's not a problem and you can afford the ~$2000 price tag, it sure is a remarkable electric fireplace.