Benefits

• Lower purchase price than other options
• No heat option allows for operation during  warm weather
• No venting required, providing the greatest flexibility when choosing a location
• Typically no clearances to combustibles required, allowing them to be installed in wood cabinets, on carpet, etc.
• Easier to install

Limitations

• Only heats a small room. Typical unit is 110v and therefore limited to 1500 watts or not more than 5,000 btu’s. (Some hard-wired models do accept 220V and deliver about 8,000 btu’s.)
• Without a dedicated circuit, running the heater can trip your electric breaker.
• Electric fireplaces are less realistic than other fireplaces . The flame effect of an electric fireplace is achieved by the artful use of images, lights, and mirrors.

Electric Inserts – Converting your wood fireplace 

An electric insert can be installed inside an existing wood fireplace. For a finished look, simply choose an appropriate sized electric fireplace box, add an outlet inside your wood fireplace, and make a custom back panel to cover the fireplace opening.