Comparison Dimplex SP16 vs Dimplex Vega

The installation method provided by the design of the fireplace. In some models, there may be several such methods.

— Built-in. Fireplaces are designed to be installed in a wall niche — so that only the front is outside. Such devices take up a minimum of space and are very convenient in cramped conditions. On the other hand, the installation itself is quite complicated; it requires serious costs both in terms of money and time.

— Against wall. This type of installation involves placing it against a wall so that the back wall of the fireplace is in contact with this wall. Such devices take up a little more space than built-in ones, but they are noticeably easier to install.

— Wall mounted. Fireplaces with the possibility of hanging on the wall; are usually equipped with brackets or other devices for attaching to nails, hooks, etc. In addition, wall mounting is convenient because it leaves free space on the floor under the fireplace.

— Freestanding. Installation in the middle of the room, without contact with the walls. An environment in which such placement would be convenient is quite rare, and even less often there are situations when, from a practical point of view, a free-standing fireplace is necessary. Therefore, this type of installation has not received wide popularity, and most often it...is found as an additional option for models with installation against the wall (see above).

Operating modes supported by the electric fireplace.

- Flame simulation. A decorative mode of operation of the fireplace implies an imitation of a flame without any heating. This function allows you to admire artificial fire when there is no need to heat the room - in hot weather or in a well-heated room where additional heat would be unnecessary.

- The sound of wood crackling. The operation of the electric fireplace in this mode is accompanied by the reproduction of the sound of natural burning wood, the key purpose of which is to enhance the atmosphere of a real fireplace. The basis of this sound is the crackling of the brazier. The sound is played by a special emulator. Depending on the model, the effect of crackling firewood can be adjusted in volume or turned off, but, in any case, this feature gives the electric fireplace more resemblance to a real hearth.

- Smoke effect (steam generator). Simulation of smoke from a flame in fireplaces usually is done with the help of an ultrasonic generator. Combined with the lighting and the design of the firebox imitating wood and coals, the steam “flame” looks very realistic and becomes almost indistinguishable from a real fire. The difference can only be seen up close and like the heat (when the heating function is on). A useful "side effect" of the steam generator is that it works as a humidifie...r. But such simulators must be constantly refuelled with water and periodically cleaned from salt deposits.

— Heating. The heating function provides the maximum similarity of the device to a real fireplace. It makes it possible not only to contemplate the beauty of an artificial flame but also to heat the serviced premises. In electric fireplaces, there can be either one heating mode or several with different levels of heating efficiency and power consumption.

A very conditional parameter that slightly characterizes the purpose based on the size of the room. And depending on the height of the ceilings, room layout and equipment, actual values may vary significantly. However, this item represents the maximum recommended area of the room that an electric fireplace can effectively heat. In our case, the area is calculated for a standard ceiling height of 2.5 m; for rooms where this height is noticeably different, and the effective heating area will be different. In such cases, it is possible to determine whether the fireplace’s power will be sufficient based on the calculation that for heating 2.5 cubic meters. m of indoor air requires a power of 100 W. The volume of a room can be derived by multiplying the area by the height.

The highest power consumed by an electric fireplace during operation. This parameter describes both the amount of electricity consumed (and, accordingly, the load on the power mains), and the amount of heat generated by the device and the size of the room in which it can be used. However, most manufacturers indicate the maximum heating area separately (see below). Nevertheless, if this parameter is unknown, it can be determined from the maximum power using the following formula: for effective heating of 1 m² of the area in a room with a standard ceiling height of 2.5 m is considered sufficient power of 100 watts.

The amount of energy consumed by the electric fireplace when operating in flame simulation mode (see "Operating modes"). Since in this mode, it is not necessary to spend energy on heating, the power consumption in it is noticeably lower. Its specific value significantly depends on the principle of flame simulation (see below).

- Temperature adjustment. This function allows you to optimally adjust the operation of the device to the necessary conditions by setting a specific value for the desired heating temperature. The vast majority of these models of heaters are equipped with electronic programmers with a display, less often with mechanical devices for accurately setting the temperature.

- Thermostat. A device for selecting the intensity of heating and maintaining the specified temperature limits in the served room with some slight fluctuations. Heaters with a thermostat automatically turn off when the set temperature level is reached and turn on again when it gets colder by a couple of degrees. Models of this order usually do not provide for the possibility of choosing a specific temperature, and thermostats in them are presented in the form of simple mechanical regulators of the heating intensity.

- Fan heater. The presence in the design of the fireplace of a special fan that supplies hot air from the device. Due to this, the room warms up faster than with natural convection (without a fan).

- Flame brightness adjustment. The ability to change the brightness of the flame visible in the "furnace" of the fireplace. This function allows you to customize the appearance of the device according to the mood and situation: for example..., in soft evening lighting, you can “mute” the fireplace so that it does not blind your eyes, and in bright light (for example, on a clear day) — you can make the flame brighter and more noticeable .

— Flame intensity adjustment . The ability to change the intensity of the flame imitated by the fireplace — so that it looks calm or stormy.

- Flame colour adjustment. Another setting for the decor of the room. It allows you to change the colour of the flame, which allows you to set both a cold blue fire and a hot red one. However, other combinations of colour shades of the flame can be used in fireplaces. The colour palette of fire imitation depends on the specific model of the fireplace. Some models allow you to use the automatic change of the flame palette, which is characteristic of the natural combustion cycle, from lighting a fire to smouldering coals. In advanced-class fireplaces, in addition to adjusting the colour palette of the flame, the ability to adjust the intensity and brightness of combustion is added.

— Air purification filter. The presence of a filter in the design of the fireplace, which cleans the air from various impurities. True, the efficiency of such cleaning is usually not as high as when using special equipment; on the other hand, intensive filtration is not required in residential areas. The filter can be designed both to remove small particles (smoke, dust) and to fight odours.

— Air humidification. The ability of the fireplace to humidify the air. The most comfortable relative humidity for a person is considered to be about 60-70%. However, during the cold season, the humidity in residential premises may drop. Humidifiers are used to restore optimal conditions.

- Shutdown timer. This timer provides automatic shutdown of the electric fireplace after the time set by the user. Thanks to this, you can, for example, turn on the device in flame simulation mode instead of a night light, set a timer and go to bed without worrying about having to turn off the fireplace manually.

— Open window sensor. A special sensor allows the device to automatically recognize when a window/vent is opened for ventilation. In the process of ventilating the room, the fireplace either turns off completely or goes into the most economical operation mode. This function allows you to save energy, because during the ventilation process, room heat will still evaporate to the street. The very fact of ventilation is most often recorded by the programmer. For this, automation can use either traditional magnetic contact sensors or draft sensors (inflow of cold air).