Recreational vehicle owners have always been able to find new, innovative ways to bring the comforts of home on the road with them. One of today's newest additions to recreational vehicles is the small electric fireplace.
Electric fireplaces first appeared in homes both for economical supplemental heating and to create fireplace facades that were child and pet friendly. These units are set up in high traffic rooms to provide zone heating when rooms were occupied, allowing the home's thermostat to be set lower and save on heating costs. They are also used in homes where normal fireplaces may present a safety hazard for children or pets or a fire hazard in small apartments or homes without a chimney or flue.
Recreational vehicles owners soon saw the potential in these small electric fireplaces and started using them in their RV's. Their variety of styles including built-in models, easy installation and effective supplemental heating combined with the aesthetic feel of a fireplace made them an instant hit on the road in addition to the home.
Using A Small Electric Fireplace In An RV
Typically, RV owners will choose either a freestanding electric fireplace stove or a built-in electric firebox insert. Each choice provides a fireplace experience including supplemental heating.
Freestanding electric units make excellent choices for RV supplemental heating. Originally used in smaller rooms, apartments, and condos, their portability made them excellent for zone heating in different rooms during each part of the day. This same convenience makes them popular for use in recreational vehicles. A small electric fireplace can be set up anywhere in a vehicle that its owner's want to use it, including outside at a campsite or parking lot. Their compact design allows them to fit in tight spaces and cubbyholes without the need for a fire grate or the clearance that a wood or gas burning stove requires.
RV owners may also select an electric firebox to build in a cabinet or below a television. These fireboxes do not require any clearance, so they are safe to simply plug in and fit inside a wood cavity. Making efficient use of limited space, RV owners are able to enjoy the comfort of heating and the ambiance of a fireplace even within a recreational vehicle.
Ease Of Installation
Traditional fireplaces in the home require a lot of work to install, whether it is a new construction or a remodeling. Every gas or wood burning appliance needs a vent to the outside, fire safety barriers and coverings, and heat proof materials. Obviously, this type of set up does not work in an RV.
Freestanding units are portable and obviously do not require installation. Simply plug your electric fireplace stove into a 110v outlet and enjoy. No venting or heat barriers are required.
For those who want a custom look, electric fireboxes can be easily built into even the most cramped RV. These electric fireplaces are self contained and instantly create the ambiance and warmth of a traditional fireplace. With a little effort, the firebox can be installed within a cabinet or any wall recess.
Whether you choose a portable electric fireplace or a built-in firebox application, there are no venting or clearance issues to be concerned with. There are no carbon monoxide hazards or flame hazards, so there is almost no limit to where they can be used. Their facades are cool to the touch, meaning children and pets will be safe around the units.
Efficient Supplemental Heating While Creating Ambiance
In addition to all of these practical benefits that RV owners have discovered from electric heating, small electric fireplaces also add comfort and ambiance to any vehicle. Simulated flames and facades put off that same feeling as if one were at home sitting in front of a wood fire. Due to their safety features, families can gather around them either inside the RV or outside without fear of any fire hazards. The elegant facades will also blend seamlessly into an RV's decor.
In the end, a small electric fireplace fills many roles in the home while RV owners have found even more applications for use in their vehicles. Safe and comforting warmth is available even on the longest road trip.
Rick Morse is CEO and author for Electric Fireplaces Direct, the premiere website for today's advanced electric fireplaces and small electric fireplace heaters that are ideal for RV's.
