Home and Hearth: the Fireplace Today

By Mike | May 11, 2009

    Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ way back in the 1860’s, had something to say about preserving the fireplace hearth. She was aghast at the new-fangled notion of the wood-burning cook stove. "Preserve for us the family gathering place of home and hearth, that  family tradition holds so dear!" She proclaimed.
    Many would agree with Ms Stowe today, but perhaps for different reasons. Today we know that the noxious emissions from wood burning fireplaces around the planet can have devastating consequences for the air we breath. Yet, families still yearn for the simple hearth gathering place of old. After all, humans have sat around fires for most of their existence.
    Today, homeowners interested in preserving the air we breath yet still basking in the light of a fireplace have some options. Electric fireplaces are the perfect alternative to wood or gas-burning fireplaces. Actually, they are 1/3 the cost of running a gas fireplace, and there are no emissions of any kind going up the chimney.
    These portable electric fireplaces look very real. They capture the bright cheer of leaping flames, the contented glow of orange coals reflected on the mantel. Family members will naturally gravitate to it on a cold winter’s night. Some popcorn, a book, game or movie, and…home sweet home!
    The fireplaces come in so many styles and sizes that they can cheer up any family room.  They have mantels and facades that look very authentic, too. A mantel  draws the eye in a room. There, the originality of the family can really shine. Perhaps little statuettes, perhaps pictures of the children or pets, all find their home on the mantel. There is just something about the cozy ambiance of leaping flames that gather friends and family to the logical spot, around the fireplace. These electric fireplaces don’t even have to have heat circulation to produce a flame! A utility is saved, but the fireplace flame is  enjoyed. The visual draw of flame and coals can then be home-centered in warmer climates, too. electric fireplace is completely safe, and the owner can leave the room at any time, without the worry of a wood fire.
    If a person so desires, the fireplace can easily be  moved and plugged into a different room. Often in days of old, a fireplace added special charm and warmth to bedrooms. These had to be tended, and often sparks and coals were a dangerous combination with bedclothes. Imagine it now, though! Cuddle under the quilt and awaken to a silent night of new fallen snow, with the sunset glow of a cheery fireplace warming the room! In fact, the electric space heater can be easily moved from room to room. Having guests? Why not move it to the larger room being used for company? That way, folks can gather around the fire and visit.
    These fireplaces quickly heat up and cool down. They use approximately the energy an electric space heater would run on, but with far more charm and universal appeal. They can be taken out of a home when a person moves away, and installed again, making the new house instantly a home. These electric fireplaces are great for mobile homes, too. So often mobile home owners miss the delight
of little domestic treats, because of safety issues. Now, the leaping flame of a cozy hearth and fireplace can be installed right in the mobile home living room, with no danger at all! Imagine the instant appeal this fireplace could add to ordinary rental property. Suddenly, the house  is a home, which makes such a difference for a rental.
    Electric fireplaces today look so very real. A person can turn the central heating down in cold weather, and gather around the fireplace on snowy nights. It would be great to get a smaller heating bill in winter for a change! A person is enjoying the warmth and beauty of a fireplace, saving money on utilities, and  being mindful of our precious environment at the same time. The only thing missing is a cat, to stretch out on the hearth and bask in the warmth!

Tags: electric space heater | electric fireplaces | electric fireplace | electric fireplace

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