Best Water Vapor Fireplaces of 2022 – Buyer’s Guide (2023)

FAQs

Are water vapor fireplaces good? ›

Water Vapor Fireplace is one of the best alternatives to traditional wood or gas fireplaces for several reasons: They have the most realistic flame imitation out of all other alternative fireplace types. They don't produce any harmful emissions, keeping your air clean.

When it comes to efficiency, gas fireplaces have wood-burning fireplaces and pellet fireplaces beat. The use of gas is just much more efficient than than having to burn wood or pellets, not to mention that a gas fireplace doesn't require electricity to run.

Among the dozens of Dimplex fireplaces, the Opti-Myst stood out the most, respectfully earningthe most realistic electric fireplace of 2023.

Ventless gas fireplaces emit the highest amount of heat with 100% efficiency and are eco-friendly. They have the look and feel of a traditional fireplace, but don't require a chimney. Instead, heated air is recirculated around the room and back into the fireplace keeping the space warm and cozy.

Ethanol fireplaces really give you the best of all the worlds without any repercussions. Not only do they have a real flame (unlike electric fireplaces), they require no flues or vents (unlike gas fireplaces) and have zero emissions of toxic compounds (unlike wood burning fireplaces)!

On average, the price of a water vapor electric fireplace insert is between 1200 Euro and 5000 Euro (USD 1250 to USD 5500). However, what makes it particularly economical and eco-friendly is that it only uses water as fuel.

Choosing a fireplace depends on several factors: position, style, finishing material and type of fuel used. It can be used to heat a room and, in some cases, to cook meals. Today, there are fireplaces for all indoor spaces adapted to different lifestyles and expectations.

In short, while fireplaces can be cozy and inviting during the cold winter months, they aren't a good bet when it comes to saving money on your electric bill. It's far more cost effective to use your fireplace as an enjoyable, but non-essential, supplemental heating source in your home.

A modern furnace is more efficient in turning gas into heat than a gas fireplace. This means that although a furnace costs more to run per hour than a gas fireplace, it turns more of that energy into heat and can warm a whole house rather than a single room.

So, typically when shopping for an electric fireplace, you'll want to look for lower wattage and a higher BTU rating. Because of their relatively low wattage, most electric fireplaces can run off of a standard 120 volt plug (about 1500 watts), making electric fireplaces much more efficient than wood burning fireplaces.

What are the disadvantages of an electric fireplace? ›

Electric Fireplace Cons

They lack the crackling and popping and smell of real burning wood and for some, the overall ambiance does not live up to a real fireplace. Electric fireplaces are not designed to be the main heat source in a home. In general, they provide as much heat as a small electric space heater.

Electric fireplaces typically come as either 750-watt or 1,500-watt models. For a smaller room, 750 watts should be adequate. To heat a larger room, you'll likely need a 1,500-watt fireplace.

Design Trend: Traditional Contemporary Fusion

The desire for a larger viewing area has evolved into a blend of wide and tall that isn't quite a traditional square and is taller than a standard linear shape. The typical 12-15” tall linear fireplace is now 18-20” high and often paired with logs instead of glass media.

Burning a fire with the doors closed dramatically reduces the draft and creates a more efficient air to fuel mix. You will find that your fires burn longer and you still get warmth from the fire since radiant heat goes right through the glass.

There are several different types of indoor fireplaces you can purchase, but they basically fall into the broad categories of wood burning, gas burning, ethanol burning or electric.

According to Stark, gel and ethanol fireplaces are also safer alternatives than a traditional wood-burning set-up. Smart Tip: In some places, it's no longer legal to install new wood-burning fireplaces or stove inserts. Check your local rules and building requirements before installing a new fireplace or wood stove.

Compared with some other fossil fuels, natural gas emits the least amount of carbon dioxide into the air when combusted -- making natural gas the cleanest burning fossil fuel of all.

Do Water Vapor Fireplaces Give Off Heat? The actual flames in a water vapor fireplace are not warm and do not produce heat. However, like most electric fireplaces, the units come equipped with a heater that does produce heat. These provide supplemental heat for a space up to 400 square feet.

How Much Does It Cost to Put in a Fireplace? According to HomeGuide, on average, a new metal prefabricated gas or wood-burning fireplace costs $2,900 installed, while an electric fireplace costs about $1,200. A masonry fireplace costs an average of $4,900 installed in an existing home with a 12-foot chimney.

What is the best color for a fireplace? ›

Calming White. A white or off-white often fosters a calm, neutral vibe on a fireplace. It pairs well with many furniture and decor styles, whether your tastes are more traditional or modern and minimalist. White also reflects more light than other colors and can brighten your space.

Go neutral

For those who wish to play it safe, choose neutral colors. The best thing about neutral colors such as white, ivory, gray, tan, and brown is that they match all color schemes. These shades offer a lively appearance. Some homeowners may also choose black for their fireplace for a contemporary look.

There are two types of fireplaces that result in different chimneys: masonry fireplaces and prefabricated fireplaces. Masonry fireplaces are the traditional fireplace that you may envision made up of bricks, blocks or stone.

Does a fireplace increase home insurance costs? Various factors determine whether a fireplace will increase your cost for homeowners insurance, including the type of fireplace. Built-in wood-burning fireplaces pose more of a risk than a gas fireplace and may cause an increase in your home insurance rate.

Return on Investment

A homeowner can often recover over 100 percent of the expenses associated with adding a fireplace upon selling their home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent.

The answer is yes, to a point, they do. Especially if it's a gas-lit fireplace versus a wood burning fireplace, they will definitely cause some heat loss because everything's vented through the chimney.

The answer is yes in almost all cases. A gas fireplace pilot light produces a flame from a small trickle of gas and does almost nothing else. This small flame is not enough to pose a threat, and the trickle of gas is immediately burned up, so it doesn't hurt anything either.

If you're a novice when it comes to fireplace installations – that is, you've NEVER installed a fireplace before, and you don't feel technically confident – then there is one main option to go for; a freestanding fireplace. Freestanding fireplaces are the easiest type of fireplace to install in a home.

1) On average, homes with fireplaces are listed for 13% more than the national median sale price. If you're getting ready to put your home on the market, a fireplace is one of the better return on investment features you should consider including in your home improvement projects before selling.

Save On Your Bills with an Electric Fireplace

At the average hydro cost, the total cost to operate the flame and heater is approximately 8¢ per hour (when the heater cycles at 50%). These amounts can fluctuate depending on the electricity rates in your specific area, however, it is still very low.

What is the lifespan of an electric fireplace? ›

WHAT'S THE LIFESPAN OF AN ELECTRIC FIREPLACE? Electric fireplaces can last up to 20 years. And the light bulbs will need replacing every two years or so Electric fireplaces tend to have longer lifespans than gas and wood-burning fireplaces.

We recommend you install a 15 to 20 amp breaker. A 15 amp breaker is standard in most homes. Use a 20 amp breaker if you will be sharing the line with other devices. The heater will draw 1500 watts.

An electric fireplace can be left on for an indefinite period of time. However, with the heating element on 24/7, you will notice a difference in your electric bill. That being said, many people leave their electric fireplace operating for extended periods of time, with the heat turned off.

The answer to that question is no. If the product is plugged into an outlet or uses an extension cord, leaving it on all night may present a fire danger. Fireplace safety tips can reduce the risk even further.

If left on throughout the night while you're sleeping, the electric fireplace could overheat and start a fire. This is also why you should never leave your electric fireplace unattended at any time while the heater is on.

Recommended for large rooms up to 1,600 square feet, this 1,500 Watt heater includes two heat settings and a fan-only setting.

Heating-wise, an average 1,500 W electric fireplace can provide more than 5,000 BTU/hr of heating output; that's enough to heat up rooms up to 170 sq ft on its own or provide supplemental heating to up to 500 sq ft rooms. Today, we use electric fireplaces for two main reasons: For interior design.

To achieve the electric fireplace's visual effect at eye level from a seated position, the floor's recommended distance should be about 40-42″ off the floor. This is a comfortable enough distance and precisely places the flames in your line of sight from a seated position.

Do Water Vapor Fireplaces Give Off Heat? The actual flames in a water vapor fireplace are not warm and do not produce heat. However, like most electric fireplaces, the units come equipped with a heater that does produce heat. These provide supplemental heat for a space up to 400 square feet.

Gel fuel fireplaces are an excellent alternative to gas and wood-burning fireplaces because they don't create smoke, soot, or ash. However, the burning fuel still produces a low level of carbon monoxide, so it's important that you only ever burn gel fuel in a properly ventilated area.

Is water vapor a good absorber of heat? ›

Because warmer air holds more moisture, its concentration of water vapor increases. Specifically, this happens because water vapor does not condense and precipitate out of the atmosphere as easily at higher temperatures. The water vapor then absorbs heat radiated from Earth and prevents it from escaping out to space.

How does a water vapor fireplace works? The Opti-Myst or water vapor fireplaces create a flame image by projecting light on ultra-fine water vapor. The water vapor is generated by an ultrasonic evaporation with an evaporator, after which the water vapor rises by means of the heat of halogen lamps or a heat coil.

By absorbing a very large amount of heat during vaporization, water draws energy from the fire site and thus cools it down until the fire goes out!

Once water vapor is in the atmosphere, low temperatures cause the vapor to either condense into a liquid or undergo deposition to form ice crystals. Water droplets and ice crystals in the atmosphere form clouds, which are moved around the planet by air currents.

At 100℃ it boils, thus rapidly evaporating. And at boiling point, the invisible gas of steam is created. The opposite of evaporation is condensation, which is when water vapor condenses back into tiny droplets of water.

Bioethanol fireplace disadvantages

Probably the main disadvantage of bioethanol fireplaces is that they don't produce as much heat as a wood- or coal burner. Bioethanol fireplaces produce roughly 3kWh of heat when the fuel slider is fully open.

One of the advantages of gel fireplaces is that they do not require a vent or chimney. This means they can be placed anywhere in the home and come in a range of different shapes and styles.

Lasting up to three hours, each can creates bright orange flames that crackle just like a real fire. Best of all, Real Flame Gel Fuel is an environmentally preferable, clean-burning gel that doesn't leave any messy soot, smoke or ash behind.

Known (sensibly enough) “sensible heat materials,” substances like stone, cast iron, and aluminum get noticeably hotter as they absorb heat. With a quick touch, our senses tell us so.

White and silver surface are poor absorbers/ emitters and good reflectors.

What liquid absorbs heat better than water? ›

Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol have higher vapor points and therefore can absorb heat at higher temperatures without boiling.

It is important to note that you should avoid using water as a method to put out a fire. Doing so can cause an outburst of smoke and it can also lead to steam burns. Water should only be used as a way to extinguish a fire in a fireplace in an emergency situation where there is nothing else available.

If left on throughout the night while you're sleeping, the electric fireplace could overheat and start a fire. This is also why you should never leave your electric fireplace unattended at any time while the heater is on.

Is an Electric Fireplace Heater Effective? Yes! Today's electric fireplaces not only come in a variety of sizes and designs, but they are also available in varying heating capabilities. Electric fireplaces can also heat a room faster and more efficiently than wood-burning fireplaces, and they're safe to use.