As with anything in this world, ethanol fireplaces come with both pros and cons, but one thing is clear, you can live with the cons that they come with. Once you are over the downsides, you get to appreciate the benefits that these fireplaces have to offer. If you on the search for an efficient, safe, and better source of heat for your home, then your search is over. Ethnanol Fireplace Pros share some of the best upsides of ethanol fireplaces:
Table of Contents
No Need For a Chimney
Ethanol fireplaces do not require a chimney to get rid of smoke and soot, as compared to conventional fireplaces. That’s because ethanol is denatured and burns completely and thus no production of carbon monoxide or smoke. Most people opt for these fireplaces as there is no risk of soot or smoke in their residences. Additionally, you do not have to fret over the installation and maintenance costs of a chimney.
Apart from the floor models, most ethanol fireplaces are portable, meaning you can move them to any room you wish, including the balcony.
No Toxic Fumes
Traditional fireplaces tend to emit carbon monoxide, which is dangerous, especially in a room without proper ventilation. As mentioned above, ethanol does not produce such fumes as it burns completely, producing just a bit of vapor and carbon dioxide. If you live in a properly ventilated room, the percentage of carbon dioxide is reduced even further. All you have to do is make sure that your room has proper oxygen access or circulation.
No Residue or Ashes
No production of ashes and soot, especially in this day and age, is one of the most appealing features of ethanol fireplaces. Ethanol burns so cleanly that you do not have to worry about the unappealing, tears inducing smoke and soot. This is not only comforting but a welcome feature for people with allergies. People with asthma and suffering from COPD can enjoy the appeal and comfort that fireplaces have to offer without too much concern.
Ease of Use
Perhaps the best thing about getting an ethanol fireplace is that it is pretty easy to set up and use. A burner, long lighter and ethanol is all you need to get the fireplace running. On the contrary, conventional fireplaces are not the easiest to set up and need coal or wood to function. You can even place some of the ethanol fireplaces models on a table.
Ethanol Fireplaces Cons
As implied earlier, nothing comes without downsides and ethanol fireplaces are no different. As such, it is important to know the cons to ensure you make an informed decision.
Low Heat Generation
Ethanol fireplaces produce adequate heat to keep you warm comfortable, but their efficacy is reduced to a single room. According to tests, ethanol fireplaces only give out 3kW of heat, which is almost the same as a radiator. Of course, this does not come close to the amount of heat that a traditional stove has to offer.
Burns
Given that ethanol fireplaces have little emission, most people do not pay attention to the fact that they burn. Any flame, regardless of the fuel, has a potential risk that can be dire when taken lightly. As with any other fireplace, it’s imperative to take caution when using an ethanol fireplace.
Oxygen Use
You may come across advertisements that claim ethanol fireplaces to be safe for use in closed rooms, but this is not entirely true. Ethanol needs oxygen to continue burning. Using these fireplaces in an enclosed room is risky, especially in a bedroom. So, ensure you have a way of allowing fresh air in when utilizing a fireplace, regardless of its nature.
And there you have it, the upsides and downsides of ethanol fireplaces. As you can see, they have a lot of benefits to offer, if you can be careful enough to avoid the last two cons.
