Are Electric Fireplaces Expensive to Operate?
When it comes to expenses, there's a widespread belief that running electric fireplaces is costly. However, the truth is they can be more budget-friendly than gas fireplaces.
Close your eyes and envision a fireplace in your home. What do you imagine? We're guessing heat, comfort, and peace of mind come top that list. These are great reasons to invest in a fireplace. Nonetheless, there's another factor that might dampen your enthusiasm about fireplaces: operation costs.
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Do Electric Fireplaces Save Money?
People are often divided into two camps: some default to thinking electricity equates to energy efficiency, and some believe that electricity costs more in the long run. When it comes to the discussion of money, people also like to compare the costs to a gas fireplace. So, let’s talk about it.
Depending on your uses, both perspectives are right. If you aim to heat a smaller room, like a bedroom, or just pump in a little extra heat and ambiance into your living room, electric fireplaces can be less costly than a gas fireplace. However, if you use it as a main heat source and want to heat your whole home with an electric fireplace, that monthly utility bill might be higher than you wanted. In contrast, if you use a gas fireplace to heat a smaller room, you’ll likely dump too much heat than you hoped, which can be considered wasted energy. However, if you’re heating a larger space with a gas fireplace, you’ll get the quick, long-lasting results you wanted. So, for heating smaller spaces for a long time, electric fireplaces save money and are the way to go for most people.
Electric or Gas, Which Fireplace Is More Efficient?
Part of the contrast in costs stems from the fact that most electric fireplaces boast near 100% efficiency. If you have your realistic LED flames turned off, just about every bit of energy provided to the unit transforms into heat, effectively warming the room and keeping you snug. In contrast, gas fireplaces frequently promote 70-80% efficiency. To many, this implies that 20-30% of the energy supplied to the unit escapes through ventilation. To put it simply, when you spend a dollar heating your house with gas, 20¢ to 30¢ is being expelled through your ventilation system. That said, it’s important to compare your own natural gas and utility costs in your specific residence when heating your home to bring the most accurate conclusion.
According to Apex Utilities, the Regulated Rate for natural gas in Alberta from Sep. 2022 to Aug. 2023 costed $4.47/GJ or1.61ȼ/kWh and the average Regulated Rate for electricity was 19.17ȼ/kWh (third highest in the country, after the Northwest Territories and Nunavut).
Find The Perfect Fireplace For You
So, as you can see, it really depends on your specific needs and uses. Yes, an electric fireplace can save you money, especially with the lower installation costs when compared to their gas counterparts. However, there are many situations where a gas fireplace can save you more money in the long-run.
Like the fireplaces you've seen in this Design Inspo blog post? It's called the New Forest 63" electric fireplace by British Fires.
To find the perfect fireplace for you, tell us all about your needs in a fireplace and our experts will give you all the advice you need - for free. Find out how to contact us by clicking here.
Barbecues Galore has the best selection of barbecues, grilling accessories, patio furniture, outdoor heating supplies, and fireplaces in Canada. We pride ourselves on providing you with the best backyard experiences and home comfort possible. With locations in Calgary and the GTA, you can visit us in-store or shop online.
