As soon as we hear the word “fireplace,” an image immediately appears in our heads of a product located in the center of a room in a large house, inside which coals and logs burn with tongues of flame. It immediately feels warm and homely. It is not for nothing that in classical works telling about the life of nobles and landowners, it is near the fireplace that household members and guests gather, and here the main events of their lives unfold.
In modern times, even city dwellers living in a high-rise building can afford a fireplace, but this equipment is connected to electricity, because it is technically not possible to install a chimney in one of the apartments of a residential building.
People living outside the city are also in no hurry to buy an outdated model, because a wood-burning fireplace is expensive and difficult to initially install and subsequently operate. For example, to maintain the operation of an electrical product, it is necessary to constantly clean it of combustion products such as soot, ash, and soot. To prevent firewood from becoming damp, it is necessary to store it in a specially designated dry place.
Now you know why it’s easier to maintain an electric option, and if you still haven’t lost interest in the idea of purchasing equipment, you need to decide on the criteria for choosing a device, as well as how to install an electric fireplace yourself.
Electric fireplaces are very practical to use
You may ask why undertake such work on your own if there are specially trained people for this. We can agree with you only if we are talking about installing a central structure, but even a beginner can make a fireplace against a wall or in the corner of a room.
How to choose a quality electric fireplace?
Advantages and disadvantages
Before you go to the store for a new purchase, you should clearly understand what advantages and disadvantages you may encounter during installation and use.
Among the advantages, the following components can be noted:
- As already mentioned, anyone can install the product; installing it yourself will save some money that can be spent on other needs. In addition, the process itself is not labor-intensive and quite “clean”.
- There is no need to purchase firewood and coal, the device operates from the network and is turned on by a control panel, which is equipped with a temperature control button. When the apartment is warm, you can turn off the heating and, to maintain an aesthetic appearance, leave only the fire burning.
- The device consumes a small amount of electricity, which means you won’t have to pay exorbitant amounts on utility bills. Interestingly, a fireplace is quite capable of temporarily replacing heating from a radiator. This is especially true on the eve of the heating season, when the heating has not yet been turned on, and the weather outside is no longer like May.
- If desired, the electric fireplace can be turned off.
- The unit is completely safe for small children, as certified by the fire inspectorate (if this is confirmed by the relevant documents attached to the equipment).
- Some models are equipped with a simulator of natural sounds, for example, the crackling of firewood, which soothe and relax the human nervous system.
- After purchase, you can transport the device in a regular car, because it is light in weight and has appropriate dimensions that allow you to transport and move the fireplace from room to room, if necessary.
- In order to install an electrical appliance, you do not need to stand in line and obtain permission from employees of the relevant authorities.
Now is the time to talk about the disadvantages of the product:
- Those who have not disconnected the unit from the power supply at all claim that the round-the-clock pleasure of enjoying the aesthetics and luxury of the design costs a tidy sum. If you calculate the costs, even the cost of gas heating per month is less than the payment for using an electric fireplace.
- Craftsmen pay attention to the fact that not every wiring can withstand round-the-clock load, and certain problems may arise with this.
- The device has built-in spirals and fans, which when operating create little noise.
- Of course, natural flames will never be replaced by artificially created effects. Therefore, if you are a supporter of exceptional naturalness, this device is not suitable for you.
Criterias of choice
There is no point in starting to install an electric fireplace that does not work well. Your task is to choose the most suitable model that meets your personal taste preferences and functions without interruptions or breakdowns.
First of all, check with the sales consultant what the power of the product you are interested in is. It’s good if it takes one kilowatt of power to heat one square meter of space.
Before buying an electric fireplace, consider all the pros and cons of the models you like.
When deciding on the cost, do not go to extremes and do not follow the lead of the sellers - a device that is too cheap and, on the contrary, expensive is not your option. A cheap analogue cannot have good characteristics, if only because the manufacture of such models uses the most mediocre bases, metals, fasteners and parts that can break at any time.
At the same time, the cost of expensive products is unreasonably high and often depends not on the functionality of the devices, but on the quality of the finish. For example, framing a frame with mahogany costs the manufacturer much more than other types of wood.
Which manufacturers are time-tested
It is important to know which manufacturer you can trust. If this is the first time you hear the name of the brand, do not take this equipment, let someone else become its first “tester”; you don’t need any extra hassle or problems.
Today, domestic electric fireplaces are very popular among buyers. Although production is concentrated in Russia, all parts and components are purchased abroad. Thus, you will not have to pay a considerable customs fee, and the quality of the device at an affordable price is not inferior to foreign competitors in the same industry.
Among foreign manufacturers, one can highlight the Irish company GLEN DIMPLEX. Here the consumer is given the opportunity to decide for himself whether he needs a full assembly of the device, or whether it is enough to purchase some accessories along with the construction portal. Agree, this is a convenient approach for those who are confident in their abilities and can assemble a single device from many components.
This company is also distinguished by its large offer of equipment, offering a wide variety of design options.
Installation process
The process of installing an electric fireplace can be divided into several step-by-step stages.
- Choosing a suitable location, creating a base of plasterboard (if needed).
- Fastening the base with plasterboard sheets.
- The installation of the electric fireplace itself in the niche made along with the wires.
- Decoration of the front part (natural stones are often used to give coziness).
- Connecting the fireplace to the network.
As can be seen from the instructions described above, installing an electric fireplace is not such a complicated process. It is much more difficult to choose a place in accordance with all the criteria.
Electric fireplace installation
According to installation option
The designs differ in the installation method, they can be:
- floor;
- wall;
- embedded in objects;
- corner;
- prefabricated
The main design detail is its hearth. However, without the necessary design, it can only act as a mediocre heater. It is the correct design, which coincides with the overall design idea of the entire room, that can turn it into an unforgettable element of decor.
You can install the wall sample next to the outlet to which the power cord is actually connected. The wall-mounted model is framed and mounted a meter from the floor covering. A corner fireplace will allow you to save space in the room.
Experts do not recommend placing built-in units on the opposite side of the light source - the effects built into the equipment may noticeably fade. Try to keep the hearth deep, this will add realism to the flame.
In any case, the installation of an electric fireplace begins with the formation of a portal for it. Creating a frame is not difficult at all. It is enough to build a metal profile and place plasterboard panels on top of it. Do not forget to cover the resulting joints, irregularities and crevices with putty and primer mixture. The socket is mounted next to the fireplace in a special niche.
Further processing depends only on you. As finishing, you can use natural materials - wood or stone, plaster, as well as artificial components. Recently, apartment owners have given preference to glass finishes interspersed with natural fibers. The amount of money you have will help you decide on the variety of options.
Taking into account the placement of the device in the apartment
An electric fireplace looks great in a studio apartment where the kitchen is combined with the living room. Here the product will fit well along the wall, located perpendicular to the windows. Let the soft, comfortable sofas stand a meter from the electric fireplace, and place a low table between them. It’s convenient when sitting on the sofa, you can easily reach the shelf with books located on the side and slightly behind. A mandatory attribute of such an interior is a soft carpet.
It’s nice to look at an electric fireplace in the bedroom while lying on the bed, with a loved one or alone, relaxing after a working day. It is advisable to build small shelves for photographs and postcards into the portal for the device.
The main thing is to take care of high-quality subsequent finishing
Adherents of the teachings of Feng Shui should place the structure in the southern part of the apartment, away from sewers and pipes that can “extinguish” the energy of the fire.
Installation methods
The sequence of actions that must be performed to install a fireplace with your own hands depends on the type of fireplace. Let us list the installation algorithms that indicate how you can do everything yourself.
Good to know: Corner electric fireplaces for apartments and houses, their advantages and main types
Stationary device in the corner
Corner fireplaces are framed by a portal in the form of a triangular or pentagonal pyramid. One angle must be right. The portal together with the electric fireplace is installed so that the gaps between the body and the walls are minimal. In most cases, this will be prevented by the baseboard, which will have to be trimmed.
Special plugs will hide the cut point, but if you want to move the fireplace to another room, the baseboards will need to be replaced. The wiring is the same for all cases, so we will not dwell on this manipulation each time, but simply remind you of its necessity.
Original corner option
Wall system
Installation of electric fireplaces in this case is a trivial action. Depending on the width of the plinth, it can also be trimmed. After assessing the gap, you will make a decision on this matter.
A portal in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped is less stable than a angular one, so provide for the possibility of attaching the portal body to the wall. Remember, when moving the fireplace to another location, there will be a hole on the wall, so think carefully about its location.
Hanging option
The fireplace on the wall looks original and modern. There are certain requirements for installation that will ensure an aesthetic and neat appearance.
Hanging wide-format fireplace system in the living room
This fireplace needs to be mounted on a mounting plate. But before installing it, use a level to draw a horizontal line. If the horizon is even slightly disturbed, it will have a detrimental effect on aesthetics and will be noticeable.
Using a hammer drill, make 3-4 holes. They should be enough, since the weight of hanging fireplaces ranges from 10 to 20 kg. Using 6x60 mm dowels, secure the strip. When finishing the walls with plasterboard, you will have to worry about the future fireplace in advance, reinforcing the attachment point with a wooden beam. Otherwise, you will have to use bolts with large area washers and increase their number for one strip. Don't forget about connection. It is best to run the wire under sheets of drywall.
Good to know: Wall-mounted electric fireplaces: their advantages, selection rules and subtleties of placement in the interior
Instructions for installing and using electric fireplaces
ELECTRIC HOT MOONBLAZE DELUXE
Model AREA1218
- Voltage 230V, 50Hz
- Power 1600 W
- Heating power 750W/1500W
- Three incandescent lamps 230V, E14, 40 W each
- Overall dimensions: h/w/d 627×750×226(mm)
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND SAVE AS A REMINDER.
- When you turn it on for the first time, you may notice a slight odor. This should not be a cause for concern and will stop quickly.
- The network into which the electrical hearth is connected must be properly protected by an electrical fuse (plug) and correspond to the characteristics of the heater.
- If your electric fireplace does not turn on or does not heat, read these instructions carefully before calling for help.
FABRIC, FURNITURE AND OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS SHOULD BE LOCATED NO CLOSER than 1 m FROM THE FACE SURFACE OF THE FIREBOX. SERVICING THE HEAT MUST BE PERFORMED ONLY WHEN THE APPLIANCE IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE MAINS. ALLOW HEATING SURFACES TO COOL.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
It is prohibited to turn on the fireplace immediately after transportation or storage in the cold (keep it at room temperature for at least 1 hour before turning it on).
- Please read these instructions before using the appliance.
- The fireplace gets hot when it is in use. To avoid burns, do not touch hot surfaces. Highly combustible materials should not be located at a distance of less than 0.9 m from the front surface of the fireplace and should not touch the side surfaces.
- Special precautions must be taken when the fireplace is used in the presence of children or disabled people or when left unattended.
- Always unplug your fireplace if it is not in use for a long period of time.
- Do not use the fireplace with a damaged power cord or plug, if the fireplace malfunctions, or after falls or damage of any kind.
- The fireplace should only be used indoors inside the home.
- The fireplace is not designed for use in rooms with very high humidity (bathrooms, etc.).
- Do not route the power cord under carpet or other floor coverings, in walkways, or in any other manner that increases the risk of damage.
- To turn off the fireplace, first turn off the breakers, then unplug the fireplace.
- Do not allow foreign objects to get inside the fireplace as this may cause fire, electric shock or damage to the fireplace.
- To prevent overheating, do not block the air flow to the fireplace necessary for ventilation and the outflow of hot air from the heater. The fireplace must be secured absolutely securely to ensure that it cannot tip over and block the outlet of hot air.
- There are very hot surfaces inside the fireplace, so the fireplace should not be used near flammable liquids and vapors (gasoline, paint, etc.)
- Use the fireplace only as described in this manual. Use of the fireplace not intended by the manufacturer may result in fire, electric shock, or other damage.
Comment. If the fireplace is operating in complete silence, the fan will be heard, providing the flame effect. This is normal and should not be a cause for concern.
INSTALLING AN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE
It is not recommended to install the electric fire in such a way that direct sunlight falls on it; this will interfere with enjoying the effect of the flame.
It is recommended to use the electric hearth by installing it in a frame of suitable size.
An electric fireplace can be installed in a niche in the wall, provided that it is of suitable size and made of non-combustible materials.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.
Plug the electric fireplace into a 10 amp, 230 volt AC grounded electrical outlet.
WARNING
Ensure that the power cord is routed in a manner that will protect it from kinks, sharp edges, and away from walkways that may cause tripping hazards or snagging, to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or personal injury.
If you need to install an electrical outlet, use the services of a professional electrician. The materials, outlets, and wires used for installation must comply with local building codes and other applicable regulations.
TO AVOID OVERHEATING, DO NOT BLOCK THE AIR OUTLET AND AIR FLOW TO THE ELECTRIC FIREPLACE
CONTROL
The electric fireplace control panel is located behind the folding grille in the upper right corner of the electric fireplace.
To access the control panel, pull the grill towards you and down. Fig1 You can control the electric fireplace from the control panel on the electric fireplace or using the remote control. You must insert two batteries into the remote control, observing the polarity.
Turn on the O/I switch (A) or the O/I button on the remote control.
Flame Effect Control
- Press (On/Off) or (On/Off) on the remote control to turn on the flame effect.
- The indicator on the panel will automatically light up.
- The brightness of the flame can be adjusted by repeatedly pressing the dimmer button on the remote control.
- When pressed, the brightness of the flame will smoothly change in a circle from bright to dim.
- Press the dimmer button on the remote control again to fix the desired flame brightness.
- This brightness will remain until the dimmer button on the remote control is pressed again.
Turning on the heating
- Press the C button on the remote control to turn the heater on at half power. The red light of the indicator above the button will mean that the heater is operating at 750 W. Pressing the C button again will turn off the heating.
- Press D or the button on the remote control to turn on the maximum heater power. In this case, the first heating mode must be turned on. Both red indicators above the buttons indicate that the 1500 W heating is turned on. Pressing the D button again will turn off the heating
Safety Reminder
Perform any maintenance on the electric fireplace only with the power turned off and wait at least 5 minutes to allow the heating parts of the electric fireplace to cool down to avoid accidental skin burns.
REPLACING LIGHT BULB
The electric fireplace uses three E14 incandescent candle-shaped lamps with a power of no more than 40 W. When you notice that the flame has become dimmer or is not visible at all, you need to replace the burnt out lamps.
- There is a hatch on the back wall of the electric fireplace. To access the lamps, you need to remove the cover by unscrewing four screws.
- Locate and check light bulbs to determine which bulbs need replacing.
- Turn the lamp counterclockwise.
- Insert a new lamp.
- Replace the cover and secure it with screws.
GLASS CLEANING
To clean the electric fireplace from dust, use a clean, dry cloth. To remove fingerprints or other marks, the glass can be wiped with a damp cloth.
Do not allow water to enter the internal parts of the electric fireplace.
Do not use abrasive cleaners when cleaning.
Warranty
The manufacturer guarantees that the product meets the technical specifications provided that the owner follows the operating rules set out in this manual.
The warranty period for the product is 12 months from the date of sale. If there is no mark on the date of sale, the warranty period is calculated from the date of issue by the manufacturer.
During the warranty period, the owner has the right to free repair of the product, subject to compliance with the operating rules set out in this manual.
(*) The warranty does not apply to lamps.
MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF REGULATIVE DOCUMENTS GOST R IEC 60335-2-30-99, GOST R 51318.14.1-99, GOST R 51317.3.2-99, GOST R 51317.3.3-99.
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Due to the technical characteristics of your monitor, the color or shade of the product in the photograph may differ slightly from the actual product.
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