There are thousands of different electric fireplaces on the market. Like with all products some are better than others and all offer different features to suit different tastes and requirements. Since there are so many different options available quality is of key importance. Like with most items – you get what you pay for. You can go online and order a $200 electric fireplace on Amazon; however, it will never match the quality craftsmanship, warmth, and beauty of a Gazco eReflex.
Aside from quality, there are many other things to consider when shopping for an electric fireplace. The most important thing is to understand what you are looking for. Do you want a built-in electric fireplace? Are you looking for the most realistic electric fireplace? Or do you want the warmest electric fireplace? What you are most interested in will help you choose which fireplace is best for you!
We have identified 6 key factors to consider when researching which electric fireplace to purchase.
- Internal Heater (Heat Output)
- Styling
- Glass Viewing Size
- Firebox Depth
- Number of Lighting Variations
- Estimated Yearly Cost
Internal Heater (Heat Output)
Heat output is measured in BTU’s or British Thermal Units. The higher the BTU output the more heat a fireplace will produce. Typically, electric fireplaces will produce anywhere from 1,000 to 7,000 BTU’s. In comparison a gas fireplace may produce anywhere from 19,000 to 48,000 BTU’s.With electric fireplaces the heat is generated from an internal heater. The BTU output can be measured by the kW consumption of the heater. The higher the kW consumption for the fireplace, the more heat (BTU’s) will be produced by the internal heater. 1 kW is approximately 3,400 BTU’s. A nice feature of electric fireplaces is they can be used with or without heat. If you choose to run without heat you will dramatically reduce the total energy consumption of the fireplace while still maintaining its beautiful ambience. Typically, a manufacturer’s line of electric fireplaces will produce the same level of BTUs across its various sizes. For example, the Gazco eReflex E110, E135 and E195 all contain the same 2 kW internal heater.
Styling
The majority of people purchase an electric fireplace for its appealing visual appearance. Since electric fireplaces cannot compete with traditional Gas or Wood fireplaces in terms of heat output, they compete when it comes to innovative styling, lighting, and aesthetics. When it comes to style, the Gazco eReflex Series of electric fireplaces is not to be outdone. With its modern, clean aesthetic the Gazco eReflex is perfectly suited to a sleek modern apartment, or a traditionally styled townhouse.
Glass Viewing Size
Get more of what you paid for, the view! A larger glass viewing area means you can see more of the flame effects and better experience the warmth, comfort, and ambience of your fireplace. Many fireplace manufacturers boast large firebox frame sizes but have bulky frames and surrounds that reduce the viewing area, so you are paying for more but getting less!
Firebox Depth
Depth in an electric fireplace is one of the most important aspects for helping to create the allusion of real flames. The first electric fireplaces that were released were very thin with TV-like profiles. These thin electric fireplaces produced poor, obviously fake flame effects. Modern electric fireplaces instead rely on depth and advanced LED technology to create flames that are almost indiscernible from the real thing! The Gazco eReflex utilises its deep firebox to create a realistic fire display. Couple that with a completely customizable Media Kit of fuel bed options including crystals, logs, and pebbles to create the appearance and feeling of a real fireplace!
Number of Lighting Variations
One of the benefits of electric is the ability to customize the lighting display. You are no longer restricted to the traditional yellow/orange flames. Now you can choose ice-blue, green, purple, orange, yellow, or any combination of the above. Couple that with complementary/contrasting colours for your up lighting and downlighting for a truly one-of-a-kind visual experience. Choosing the fireplace with the most available lighting combinations will help add versatility to your home with a new/different colour for any time of day or mood. Create the perfect ambience no matter the situation.
Estimated Yearly Cost
The yearly cost is something that you will want to consider when making your purchase decision. Estimated Yearly Cost will vary dramatically based on your location, installation, usage behaviour, and the cost of your electricity.
To accurately compare, we had to calculate the estimated cost using the same conditions – max kW output with the same installation and usage settings. As a result of this method, the units that can produce the most heat (Max kW & BTU’s) tend to cost more throughout the year, whereas the ones who produce the least, typically cost the least per year.
Small Electric Fireplaces (eReflex E110)
The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular small linear electric fireplaces for sale in Australia.
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Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 2 kW
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Styling: Built-In & 3-Sided Bay
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Glass Viewing Size: 117cm – 127cm
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Firebox Depth: 17cm – 25cm
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Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
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Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 - $135*
How the eReflex Stacks Up!
There are three comparable electric fireplaces to the Gazco eReflex E110 multi-sided fireplace. These include the Jetmaster GBL-44, Escea (Ambe) Multi 49, and Dimplex Prism 50.
All offer a bay-style or multi-sided glass fireplace. The Gazco eReflex provides the most heat with its built-in 2kW heater and leads the way in terms of different lighting combinations. With over 39 different lighting combinations, compared to 9 with some of the others, you can set your fireplace to match your mood – anytime. The Gazco eReflex offers the deepest firebox size in the small linear electric fireplace category and Dimplex offers the widest length at just over 127cm.
Small Built-in Electric Fireplaces (eReflex E105)
The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular small linear electric fireplaces for sale in Australia.
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Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 2 kW
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Styling: Wall Mount & Built-In
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Glass Viewing Size: 104cm – 120cm
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Firebox Depth: 30cm – 33cm
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Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
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Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 - $135*
How the eReflex Stacks Up!
Like the eReflex E110 there are three comparable electric fireplaces to the Gazco eReflex E110 multi-sided fireplace. These include the Ambe (Escea) Linear 50, and the Jetmaster JL50.
Unlike the E110, the Gazco eReflex E105 is a one-sided built-in electric fireplace, aside from this the size of the units is comparable and therefore stack up the same way as described above. This is because both the eReflex E105 and E110 are both “small” linear electric fireplaces.
Medium Electric Fireplaces (eReflex E135)
The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular mid-sized linear electric fireplaces for sale in Australia.
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Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 2 kW
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Styling: Wall Mount & Built-In
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Glass Viewing Size: 124cm – 152cm
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Firebox Depth: 10cm – 20cm
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Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
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Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 - $135*
How the eReflex Stacks Up!
The mid-sized electric fireplace category is quite crowded with 7 comparable fireplaces to the Gazco eReflex E135 in terms of heat capacity, glass size, and firebox depth. These include the Ambe (Escea) Linear 50, Modern Flames SL50-INT, Jetmaster VL60 & Dimplex Prism 50.
Once again, the Gazco eReflex leads all in the mid-sized electric for heat output and number of lighting combinations. The Gazco eReflex E135 and Jetmaster VL60 offers the deepest fireboxes of any of the mid-sized electric fireplaces. The Jetmaster takes the crown for largest glass size.
Large Electric Fireplaces (eReflex E195)
The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular large linear electric fireplaces for sale in Australia.
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Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 3 kW
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Styling: Wall Mount & Built-In
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Glass Viewing Size: 120cm – 195cm
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Firebox Depth: 12cm – 30cm
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Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
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Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 – $198*
How the eReflex Stacks Up!
Like the medium electric fireplace category, the large electric fireplace category offers many choices. There are 6 directly comparable models to the Gazco eReflex E195. These include the Dimplex Prism 74, Ambe (Escea) Linear 72, Modern Flames Ambiance, Jetmaster VL72.
The Gazco eReflex offers the largest viewing area with the largest glass size of all models and wins once again with its class leading 39 lighting combinations.
Related Resources About Electric Fireplaces:
Top 11 Fireplace Questions – Get the answers to the top most searched questions regarding electric fireplaces including “How do electric fireplaces make flames?” and “Are electric fireplaces hot to the touch?”
Top 5 Reasons to Buy An Electric Fireplace - Electric fireplaces are ideal for people who live in areas where gas or wood fireplaces may be restricted, or for someone who wants something truly unique. See our top 5 reasons to buy an electric fireplace here!
Introducing eReflex Premium Electric Fireplaces – Learn more about the features of Gazco’s line of premium realistic built-in electric fireplaces, or visit the electric fireplace section of our website to start browsing our models!
Notes:
*Please Note: Estimated Yearly Cost will vary dramatically based on your location, installation, use, and the cost of electricity. For comparative purposes all electric fireplaces estimated yearly cost was calculated using max kW output at $0.10 per kWh under the same installation conditions (Voltage and Amperage) for one hour every single day of the year. A result of this method is the units that are able to produce the most heat (Max kW & BTU’s) cost more throughout the year, whereas the ones who produce the least, cost the least per year.
**Please Note: Manufacturers listed may produce other similar models in varying sizes and configurations, however, any model listed for comparison was chosen as it closely resembles the Gazco eReflex series of electric fireplaces and therefore would offer the closest comparison.