Most Florida homes are not built with winter weather in mind and often lack an area for a central fireplace. For anyone who has lived up north and has fond memories of family and friends relaxing and warming up together around a fire, the lack of a fireplace in their Florida home can be a detriment to the home’s overall appeal. Florida temperatures occasionally reach levels where a fireplace can be useful, but the overall investment is not worth it for most homeowners. Luckily, there is another option. Electric fireplaces are a fantastic alternative that are much more conducive to the needs of Florida homes.
Electric Fireplaces in Florida
If the most recent winter season has left you feeling chilly at night or early morning, you should consider an electric fireplace before next year. An electric fireplace is safer, healthier, and cheaper than real fireplaces that burn wood or natural gas. Florida homeowners with less use for their fireplaces can worry less and save more by using an electric version.
Safety: Electric fireplaces have two primary safety benefits compared to traditional fireplaces. Electric fireplaces produce heat by heating up the air with electrical components and blowing it out of the fireplace unit; no flames or fire is involved. This makes interacting with the fireplace safer, especially for families with small children. You can, however, get the best of both worlds by purchasing a unit that mimics flames through lights, sounds, and aromas without actually burning any wood or gas. An electric fireplace is also better for homeowners who would be worried about a house fire and would like to minimize the stress a fireplace brings into their home.
On the same note, electric fireplaces are better for air quality. Indoor fireplaces can release toxic fumes, particulates, and gases like carbon monoxide at dangerous levels, especially if other materials like plastics find their way into the pit. An electric fireplace, in comparison, has zero harmful emissions and is better suited for households with children or anyone with a breathing condition like asthma.
Cost: The initial installation cost for an electric fireplace is usually much cheaper than a comparable traditional model because there is less need for infrastructure to expel harmful gases from the home. There is no requirement for a chimney or vent for electric fireplaces. Buying an electric fireplace allows you to spend your savings on an upgraded model that fits well with your design or pocket the difference and add to your savings.
The ongoing use of electric fireplaces is also cheap for Florida residents. Because most of the year in Florida is warm, your fireplace can sit idle without running up any operating costs. However, in the cooler months, an electric fireplace can help save you money. Compared to turning up your AC and heating every area of the house, a fireplace in a common area, like a living room, can provide heat to those that need it without wasting heat in unused rooms. Electric fireplaces provide supplemental heating to those rooms you use most often but can be easily turned off when not required.
Appeal: Think back to a recent chilly night. Would you have preferred warming up by a fire? An electric fireplace is a simple, low-maintenance addition to your home that most homeowners do not consider here in Florida. When selling your home or getting it appraised, the addition of a fireplace is a huge bonus.
Promise Electric employs a team of master electricians certified to handle any electrical job you have. Our electricians have worked with hundreds of homeowners and business owners in the Sarasota area, and we welcome the opportunity to discuss your electrical needs with you.
