Ethanol and electric fireplaces are an excellent alternative to both gas and wood fireplaces. They both serve as an excellent alternative as neither one requires a vent or flue. The result is that both of the fires are easy to implement into any house. However, it can be hard to know which model to select. In this article, we will be comparing the two different kinds of fireplaces, and that will help you ultimately, to make an informed decision to choose the best one for you.
To make things simple, I’ll cover the pros and cons of the two kinds of fireplaces.
Ethanol Fireplaces
Let’s go over the fundamentals in case you are not familiar with what an ethanol fireplace is, and the way that it works. An ethanol fireplace from Ethanol Fireplace Pros does not require a vent or flue due to the bioethanol fuel that it uses. A great amount of heat is produced by the fireplace and instantly provides any room with a vibrant and warm feeling.
Real Flames Are Produced By Ethanol Fireplaces
- Produces a great deal of heat
- An electric socket is not required
- Ventless – no ash, smoke, soot, etc.
- No dangerous particles or fumes
- Authentic and real flames
When it comes to the pros associated with ethanol fireplaces the key takeaways are the heat and real flames.
Cons
- Unable to burn with generating heat
- Operating costs are higher than electric fires
- Consumes little oxygen
The cons basically speak for themselves. It isn’t possible, unfortunately, to have flames without heat. A simple solution if you don’t need heat, could be to just open a window or install a fan.
Electric Fireplaces
Most people know electric fireplaces as ones that just plug into an electrical socket. You can turn a fan off and on to produce heat, and a simple flame effect is created by the electric system.
Pros
- No real danger – no real flame
- Doesn’t need any fuel or a lighter
- Ventless – no ash, soot, smoke, etc.
- Adjustable heat – with or without heat
- Easy to install
- Inexpensive to operate
The keys to note from the electric fireplace pros relate to ease of use and safety. It is easy to turn it on, and without any real flames, there is an absolute minimum risk.
Cons
- Never gives a real flame feeling
- Electricity is required to operate
Unfortunately, lack of a real flame is the biggest con. Ultimately, many clients get rid of their electric fireplaces based on the “fake” feeling that the flames provide. The best advice I can give you is to make sure to experience an electric fireplace before you buy you one to make sure you will like the flame effects that they provide.
Conclusion
I have always really liked ethanol fireplaces. I wouldn’t be selling them if I didn’t. However, I may be somewhat biased when it comes to helping you make your final decision – I hope that the article has provided you with the information that you need to make your own decision. However, I still want to highlight what the key differences are.
You should opt for an electric fireplace if your budget is small and you don’t care about real flames that much. Usually, electric fires are much less expensive than safe, quality ethanol fireplaces.
On the other hand, an ethanol fireplace is a good choice if you would like to have some real live flames and heat. I personally find electric fireplaces to be too fake for me. With an ethanol fireplace, you get the real deal.
