When the weather turns chilly, many wonder how they are going to keep their family warm in the winter. Those who have a convector heater in the home may not have the same worries as those who live in an apartment or a home without one. Fortunately, there is always the option of an electric fireplace heater and this is a smart purchase for many reasons.

These handy units are safe enough to add warmth to any area in the house and do not cost as much as having a full on fireplace heater installed. There is also no need to purchase any logs or coal to burn in it because the fire is supplied by the electrical current. This is because there is no real flame to the fireplace heater but rather an electrical current that mimics the look of a fire. It also adds warmth to any room that it is placed in while bringing the soothing comfort of an open flame.

These electric fireplace heaters are different from the expensive electric space heaters, which some companies call furnaces and claim huge savings. The exterior of electric fireplace heaters look like real gas or wood-burning fireplace heaters and the flames look realistic. Electric fireplace heaters are becoming more popular. Energy loss from a house can be reduced by lowering the furnace thermostat and using an electric space heater in a room where the family congregates.

If you like the ambience of fires, electric fireplace heaters are great because they can be used year-round. The flame portion of the fireplace heater can be operated with or without the electric heater.

When not in the heating mode, most electric infrared heaters use a couple of cents worth of electricity per hour. This still creates a little heat, as does any electric appliance. A hand-held control makes it easy to change the fire image and the heat output.

As with most appliances, LED is used to create the flame image. LED’s are extremely energy-efficient and literally last a lifetime. Another fireplace heater option is one that burns small cans of gelled alcohol.