Why Electric Fireplaces Are Beneficial

A fireplace is a cozy and inviting feature that makes a person want to set and relax while enjoying the warm glow of a very safe fireplace. The electric fireplace can be moved from one room to another since they function with the standard home electrical system; there is no need to install additional wiring. Perhaps the most important feature is the simulated flame that creates the visual effect of a wood burning or a gas fireplace.

The important considerations when buying an electric fireplace are the benefits you want the fireplace to provide. If heating a room is a requirement, then selecting a fireplace that generates the right amount of BTUs is important. To determine the heating capacity of an electric fireplace, divide the number of watts the fireplace will use by 10. This means that 1500 watts will provide comfortable heat fro only 150 square feet. The higher range of available BTUs is around 4,500 so this unit would heat 450 square feet. If you are looking for a way to heat a cold room, this might not be a good choice.

The electric fireplace should be equipped with glass that is safe to touch so that children will not risk being hurt. Although, there is little possibility of this fireplace generating enough heat to harm someone who does touch the glass.

Another consideration is electric fireplaces can produce what almost looks like a wood or gas fire, but the difference however subtle is still noticeable. Regardless, this fireplace will provide a charming and cozy atmosphere to any room, and there are many other good features.

The electric fireplace can be located in almost any area of the home, and it can be moved to another area. There isn’t any need for wood to be cut and stored. A switch will activate the fireplace so there is no need for a starter flame. A remote control can activate the fireplace from the comfort of your couch, and you can even control the temperature by remote control.

There are no fumes to worry about and no chimney to keep clean. You don’t have to worry about a fire getting out of control to the point where you cannot manage it.

This fireplace is about as low maintenance as you can find in an appliance. Electric fireplaces are very energy efficient and very low cost to operate.

This fireplace is a great substitute for a built-in fireplace, and it provides more flexibility which means that it can be moved from the living room to the bedroom or anywhere that the wonderful benefits of it can be appreciated.

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How To Heal A Drafty Home

A drafty home is uncomfortable to live in and costly to keep warm. However, there are easy ways to heal a drafty home, and these are not going to be hard on your wallet. The following are some suggestions you might want to consider.

Examine the doors and windows to determine if air is leaking into your home. One way to do this is to have a person outside shine a flashlight around the doors and windows while a person on the darkened inside checks for light shining into the home. However, doors should always have weather sealing strips that are capable of blocking air. It might be appropriate to add caulking around the door and window frames. Windows and doors are the most likely culprits of drafty homes.

Another source of cold air are the windows that do not have adequate coverings, drapes or blinds to block the cold air from penetrating the home. By covering the windows with a material that will prevent cold air from being a problem, you can eliminate the discomfort that comes when setting by a cold window. You can also lower your heating costs.

A lot of cold air enters into the attic, and then this cold air will make the rest of your home cold. Cold air enters through the vent holes that are not adequately sealed. The sealant around every opening in the attic will crack and separate over time. The sealant around the chimney can allow a lot of cold air to enter into the attic. Often overlooked is the area where the roof joists join the walls. There may be open spaces and a lack of insulation in these areas. The attic access door should be insulated. You might ask an insulation contractor to advise you if your attic insulation is sufficient to keep your home warm with the least possible costs.

Make sure that the kitchen, bathroom and dryer vents are adequately sealed. Since these vents are outside of the home, and there is always the possibility that these are not properly sealed.

Look in the basement for possible ways for cold air to enter. The hot water heater vent is one such possibility. There may be open areas where the foundation joins the walls, and these should be closed off with insulation until a more permanent solution can be found.

While each of the above methods for healing a drafty home may seem like they will produce only minimal results, a notion which is totally false, when taken as a collective solution these will add up to a significant healing of a drafting home as well as a significant energy savings.

For more information regarding real estate tips, visit Kathy McCarthy’s website or Facebook page!

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