Installation
The installation method provided by the design of the fireplace. In some models, there may be several such methods.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).Max. heating area
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.
Max. power
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.
Heating power
It is the heat output of the fireplace. With several intensity settings, the customer can choose the best option for each specific situation. For example, when returning to the house after a long absence, when the room has cooled down, the fireplace can be turned on at full power; if you just need to help the main heating system a little, it is better to use half the intensity so as not to overheat the air and not waste electricity; and so on.
Functions
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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).
