All Entries in the "Benefits" Category
A Short History of the Electric Fireplace Heater
Fire was first brought inside human habitats in the form of a fire pit, located in the center of the floor of the dwelling. In the 12th century, primarily as a concession to two-story wooden structures, the location of fires was moved to the outside walls of buildings and the chimney was created to allow smoke to rise rather than enter the house. In 1796, Count Rumford designed a shallower, taller fireplace, which allowed the chimney to be brought inside the walls, resulting in the present-day fireplace design.
Following World War II, with the building of many multiple unit dwellings in both Europe and America, fireplaces were mostly replaced by either central heating or room heaters, fueled either by gas or electricity. Although gas fireplaces were used as long ago as the 18th century in Europe, electric fireplaces are a more recent invention.
In Europe, Walter W. Guy invented an “electric fireplace,” in 1928, although it was never produced commercially and Adolph Mungo in Germany developed a “fireplace flame simulating device,” in 1941, subsequently patented in the U.S. But it wasn’t until Harold J. Webber took out his patent for a “flickering effect light controller,” in the U.S. in 1979 that companies in a position to manufacture such a device became interested.
Webber based his invention upon previous research by others in the 1970’s on electronic flicker effects for candles, on an electronic metronome for timing flicker pulses and a device patented by Bergeson and Fuller in 1977 for an “apparatus for simulating the light produced by fire.” Weber’s invention became the source for the first commercial application of simulated fire technology in the Optiflame design produced in 1988, by the North American branch of the Irish firm, Dimplex.
The electric fireplace has come a long way from the original Dimplex design and Weber’s simple invention. Weber had included a “popping acoustical sound translator” in his device and in 1994 Berghoff and Hendrick developed a sound system that could duplicate the crackling logs of a real fire and could be used with either gas or electric fireplaces.
Modern electric fireplaces are available from over a dozen manufacturers and may be wall mounted, inserted into existing fireplace structures or be free-standing and include a frame, mantel and hearth composed of any of a multitude of materials. They offer simulated flames, sound effects and most recently, simulated smoke from atomized water droplets.
Popularity: 4% [?]
The Top 3 Reasons to Buy an Electric Fireplace
As the cold weather sets in and people look for ways to gather warmth in their homes, many people turn to several different types of options. The most popular is choosing a fireplace, more specifically an electric fireplace. Choosing a product such as an electric fireplace is a great way to evenly distribute warmth throughout your home and a great way to save money in the process. Many people turn to electric fireplaces because they are safer, cheaper, and easier to operate than similar products on the market.
Many people turn to electric fireplaces for the simple fact that they are safer than other products out on the market today. Electric fireplaces are safer than alternative means of heating because they do not involve any hazards that would endanger you, your family, or your home. Unlike regular wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces either operate on gas or electricity, keeping the warmth localized around a small area, while emitting enough heat to keep you warm. There is a very small potential of being burned, and like with all household appliances, safety is of the utmost importance when operating this product.
Electric fireplaces are among the cheapest heating appliances on the market. This helps the customer because it allows for very affordable heating at a very low cost. Also, most electric fireplaces contain technology that is designed to put out a great deal of heat while using very little electricity or gas. This will benefit the customer in the long run because you will get more heat for your money. Many people turn to electric fireplaces for the fact that they are cheap and easy to install, qualities that are not often found in the competition’s services and products.
Electric fireplaces are extremely easy to operate. Usually all that is needed to turn the fireplace on and create heat is a flip of a switch or push of a button. This will immediately start the product working and will immediately provide heat to those who are operating this product.
The ease of use, coupled with the easy installation are two of the largest reason why people turn to this product. Electric fireplaces can also be moved easier than wood burning fireplaces, this adds a great deal of mobility to the product and creates another facet that is not found in other products on the market today.
Popularity: 6% [?]