Ethanol Fireplaces – Should You Get One?

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It’s cold outside! Should you purchase an ethanol fireplace?

In a perfect world, there is nothing wrong with ethanol fireplaces. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. While they are very convenient and helps to keep the home warm, they do have some drawbacks you want to consider. Luckily the pros outweigh the cons, but you have to decide if an ethanol fireplace is the right choice for you.

The Bad

In light of staying objective, let’s start with the bad aspects first.

1. It Is A Secondary Source Of Heat

Even though you may have heard some great things about ethanol and electric fireplaces, don’t expect them to take the place of your primary heating source. Ultimately, they are there to support the heating you already have. If you were to make it the primary source of heat, then you would have to put one in every room, and each one will have to be a significant size. I just make more sense to use it for supplemental heat.

2. There Is A Level Of Danger

Overall, ethanol fireplaces such as those from Ethanol Fireplace Pros are very safe to use. But not all of them are made equal, and you are bound to come across cheap designs that can easily see the fuel spilling out. This is apparently not an ideal situation, which is why you want to invest in an ethanol fireplace that goes through a quality control process. In other words, you want a high-quality fire that won’t tip or spill.

3. Removes Oxygen From The Room

With any heating where a flame is involved, the oxygen levels in the room are going to drop. And even though it’s a drawback that is not excluded to ethanol burners, it is still a drawback if you can’t maintain adequate air-flow.

The Good

Now, it’s time to look at the reasons why so many people are investing in ethanol fireplaces.

1. Decrease Your Carbon Footprint

Ethanol fuel is clean and environmentally friendly. This means you won’t be sending any harmful emissions into the atmosphere. And with the climate situation being so dangerous, you won’t have to feel guilty about staying warm inside your house anymore.

2. Nothing To Clean

If you expect to find a mess after using an ethanol burner, think again. There won’t be any ash or dirt to remove, seeing as the flame burns clean. All that will be required every few months is a good wipe with a cloth.

3. It Doesn’t Need Ventilation

The great thing about an ethanol fireplace is that it’s portable. There is no need to construct a chimney or a vent, and you don’t need to put it near a window.

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John Daner

HVAC Technician with 12+ years experience in the field.