For many people who have decided an electric fireplace is their best choice, a major factor in their final product decision is realism. Electric fireplaces come with a huge variety of authentic features, from realistic flames to many others, but without the work that a wood-burning fire brings.

At Comfort Solutions, we have a wide variety of modern electric fireplace options for you to choose from. Here are some of the factors you should be considering as you browse our wide selection if you prioritize the realistic feel of your fireplace.

Flame Intensity

If possible, look for a model that lets you control the intensity of the flame using a remote control. These generally offer the ability to control everything from ember bed lighting to backlighting, meaning you’re completely in charge of how your fire looks. Some models even include multi-colored flame presentations.

Flame Progress

In addition, look for an option hat allows flame and ember progress, an automated feature. You can hit a button that engages 3-D flames, with log sets that complement them.

Logs

Options that contain logs are the best for simulating a true fire. They bring realistic flames, a glowing ember feel, and even a “smoke” effect in many models. In plenty of cases, guests to your home may not even realize you have an electric fireplace, instead confusing it for a natural wood-burning option.

LED Lights

To help increase the real effect of the flames, LED lights are used. These can be set to flicker or refract in a way that you enjoy, and as we noted above, you can often alter the color of the flames if you wish. LED lights are also extremely durable and require very little maintenance, plus are energy efficient.

Effects

Many of our options even come with special effects, such as surround lighting to create a dramatic feel. Backlight surround colors might be part of this as well.

For more on the various factors you should prioritize if you want a realistic electric fireplace, or to learn about any of our other fireplace options, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

For the modern fireplace owner, the summer is often the best time of year for various inspections or maintenance. Most fireplaces see less use at this time of year, making it ideal for any tune-ups or upgrades it requires.

At Comfort Solutions, we can help with any such maintenance areas you come upon. One big one that some homeowners forget about? Checking the chimney chase cover, which plays a vital role for those who have chimney-involved fireplace systems. Let’s look at the basic role of this cover, signs of issues, and one good solution we can offer.

What is It?

The chimney chase cover is a flat metal cover you’ll find on top of your chimney. As the name suggests, its job is to cover the chimney and provide a water-tight seal for any moisture that may be present. If it’s faulty or not working properly, not only will water be able to potentially seep into your fireplace, but other elements or even debris might as well.

Signs of Issues

The most common sign of a chimney chase cover that’s having issues is rust. You’ll be able to see this on the top or sides of the metal, which can be viewed during a basic roof inspection.

As those who are familiar with it will know, rust is a sign that water has been interacting with the metal. Because the job of this metal piece is to actively prevent water, rust is a sign that it’s not accomplishing this efficiently enough.

Possible Fix

In many cases, the cause of this rust is chase covers made of a low grade of steel. This is often galvanized steel, which can both stain and deteriorate due to rust.

As a solution, if you’re dealing with chimney chase cover rust issues, we recommend a stainless steel cover as a replacement. Stainless steel resists this kind of deterioration from rust, and even resists rust itself. Furthermore, stainless steel covers can be custom-made, ensuring they’re the perfect fit for your chimney.

For more on chimney covers, or to learn about any of our custom or gas fireplace options, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

At Comfort Solutions, we’re proud to be a leading company in the modern fireplace world. Our custom fireplace options offer a perfect combination of traditional elements and modern aesthetics, making them perfect for people in a wide variety of living situations.

One such group? Apartment dwellers, who are on the rise in recent years. In some apartment locations, fireplaces or inserts are hard to have due to space limitations – but this is where a smaller electric fireplace can be beneficial. Let’s look at three great reasons to invest in one of these smaller options.

Flexibility

A recent poll found that over half of all homeowners and apartment dwellers redecorate their space at least once a year. No matter how much space you have, a smaller electric fireplace option gives you tons of flexibility when it comes to this kind of redesign. It can go against the wall like a traditional option, or it can take a more modern spot on a coffee table or bookshelf. You also get more flexibility in your lifestyle, as this kind of fireplace doesn’t require you to run to the store for new logs every time you want to have some friends over and light a fire.

Trends

In addition, these smaller electric options are very trendy today. They’re perfect accents for various rooms, with a huge variety of styles and color schemes available. They can serve as focal points in certain rooms or background items in others.

Environmentally Friendly

Perhaps best of all, the smaller electric fireplace allows you the warmth and ambiance of a great fire with minimal effects on the environment. Electric fireplaces do not emit harmful substances like carbon monoxide, meaning they don’t require a chimney for ash and smoke to escape the space.

For more on why a smaller electric fireplace might be great for you, or to learn more about any of our modern fireplace options, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

At Comfort Solutions, we’re proud to provide a variety of modern fireplace options for you and your family. One such option, and one of our most popular, is the electric fireplace.
An electric fireplace offers many benefits, potentially including cost benefit. To find out whether this is the case for you, we recommend laying out the different costs associated with an electric fireplace, then combining them into one larger number. Let’s go over some important areas.

Initial Costs

Depending on the style and size of your electronic fireplace, your initial costs can vary widely. A small basic unit might cost $200 or so, while a more complex built-in unit could run up into the thousands and require professional installation. If your unit will require installation, be sure to factor in these costs during your calculations.

Energy Costs

All the energy that an electric fireplace uses is converted into heat, which means that electric fireplaces are 100 percent energy efficient – no extra heat is escaping. In many cases, owners of these fireplaces find they require less use of central heat in their homes, and this can lead to significant cost savings without reducing your comfort.

Maintenance Costs

Electric fireplaces don’t urn combustible fuel, meaning they don’t deal with the kind of corrosion that can shorten the lifespan of other types of fireplaces. With this in mind, the overall cost of an electric fireplace can be fairly evenly spread over a period of up to 10 years, often even more.

Calculating Totals

When you’re considering the purchase of an electric fireplace, assess the overall costs combined. Add the initial price to energy and maintenance costs, estimating how often you plan to have the unit running on average. Ten years is a reasonable expectation for the life of your fireplace, so multiply your energy costs by 10 to get a rough estimate of the lifetime operating costs. From there, subtract a rough estimate of 10 percent reduction in central heat usage.
For more on the costs involved with an electric fireplace, or to find out about any of our new fireplace choices, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

When it comes to a modern fireplace in the home, present-day homeowners have a few different choices. In many situations, this boils down to a decision between two major options: Electric or gas fireplace?

At Comfort Solutions, we have a wide variety of numerous custom fireplace options for your browsing. Let’s look at a few factors that separate gas and electric fireplaces.

Installation

If your home has a gas line already, you can likely install a gas fireplace without making any other modifications to the home. If not, you’ll have to also purchase a propane tank as part of your installation – this will increase your cost and can take up some extra space. For this reason, homes without an existing gas line might be best served to look at electric options.

Gas fireplaces also require proper ventilation to make sure all occupants of the home are safe. Electric fireplaces simply plug into wall outlets, however.

Safety and Heat

Because electric fireplaces are wired in the factory, their primary safety elements do not depend at all on installation. Fires are more likely to occur with a gas fireplace, which uses actual flames, but the rate of accidents and fires with both styles is very low in today’s day and age.

One common concern for homeowners with children or pets is the way gas fireplaces become hot to the touch. Electric ones do not do so. However, on the flip side, for those looking for actual heat generation from their fireplace, the gas option is far more effective here.

Home Value

This is one area where both gas and electric fireplace options provide similar value: Both can help raise your home’s resale price down the line. The presence of any type of fireplace in the home can increase home value by up to 12 percent in some cases.

For more on gas versus electric fireplaces, or to learn about any of our options, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

If you’re looking to install a new modern fireplace in your home, you have a number of options at your disposal. Even if you’ve already chosen an electric fireplace option, you’re still only partway to finalizing all the relevant design areas.

At Comfort Solutions, we have a number of custom fireplace options depending on the aesthetic you’re looking for in your home. Here are a few of your placement options when it comes to an electric fireplace, and which might be best for your preferences.

Built In

For those who aren’t looking for a renovation process but still want the look of a built-in fireplace, there are options available. There are fireplace choices that look build in but can actually sit on the floor or be installed in a corner. For traditionally styled homes, some built-in looking options even have elaborate mantels or come with sets of bookcases for either side. Other styles are made to look like furniture, and some can even hold items on top – these are perfect if you think you might want to move the fireplace around every now and then.

Standalone

Perfect for the middle of a given room, a standalone electric fireplace can disperse heat throughout the room. These often come with a cast-iron style exterior, which gives them a notably antique feel. On the other hand, some standalone options can be found in modern cubes that go very well with a more updated look.

Wall Mounted

Another option is a wall-mounted electric fireplace, and these are generally for the more modern homeowner. They generally have a basic glass border, and can usually fit into smaller spaces where a traditional fireplace might be just a bit too large in a normal situation.

For more on selecting the right style of electric fireplace, or to learn about any of our custom fireplace options, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

For the homeowner looking for the beauty of a fire without the time spent chopping wood and cleaning ash, an electric fireplace is the perfect outlet. At Comfort Solutions, we have a wide range of electric fireplaces to fit your needs.
An important part of your new electric fireplace is the electric logs, which create a feeling of a real fire without some of the downsides. Here are all the basics you need to know about electric fireplace logs.

How Electric Logs Work

Electric log inserts come with detailed logs and glowing ember beds, all of which are easy to install. They’re wired with an electrical cord that plugs into a standard outlet. Realistic flames are created by a regular light bulb, plus technology that allows this light to be refracted in a three-dimensional pattern.
In most cases, these logs will also supply heat – in fact, you’ll generally have the choice between heat and no heat. Log sets contain metal coils that heat up when the unit is plugged in, plus a fan that blows heat into the room. But because heat is only generated in coils, the logs themselves stay cool to the touch.

Advantages

Electric fireplace logs offer several specific advantages. They’re inexpensive to install and operate, and completely portable – they’re even lightweight and easy to move. They have zero emissions associated with their use and require no home ventilation during use. You don’t need a fireplace screen, plus you won’t spend all sorts of time chopping wood and removing ash from your hearth and chimney. Essentially, electric logs offer all the benefits you want from fireplace logs, with almost none of the downsides.

Styles

There are a variety of sizes and styles available for electric fireplace logs and inserts. You can get a sleek, modern look, or you can return to your roots with a homey, traditional style with antique brass. You can also choose design elements of the logs and the fire – traditional options are most popular here, but you can even choose pebbles that look like coal for an authentic look.
For more on electric fireplace logs, or to find out about any of our other custom fireplace services, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

Growing environmental awareness has impacted many fields, and fireplaces are among them. In particular, fireplace inserts have become not only a way to add style and aesthetics to your fireplace, but a great way to decrease your footprint.

At Comfort Solutions, we have a wide stock of various fireplace insert products. Let’s look at some of the benefits of these inserts, from their environmental positives to other cost-related areas.

Efficiency

Modern fireplace inserts are much more efficient than older fireplaces, which tend to have efficiency ratings hovering in the 5 to 10 percent range – very low. Open hearths cause heated room air to pull into the fire, which results in a fire that quickly burns heat and wastes energy.

Fireplace inserts, on the other hand, have a sealed, airtight system that allows more heat to be generated without any waste. Fireplace inserts can reach up to 80 percent efficiency, so nearly 10 times as efficient as many older systems.

Energy Bill

Due partially to what we just discussed, a fireplace insert can save you tons on your energy bill. It will use less gas, oil or electricity, and closed airtight doors will prevent heated air from escaping during hours when it’s not in use.

Emissions Reduction

EPA-certified fireplace inserts can reduce wood-burning emissions to practically zero. This means you’ll be leaving a far smaller footprint than you would with a traditional fireplace.

Remodeling Costs

Another key reason many homeowners have fireplace inserts installed is to save money on remodeling costs. A fireplace insert brings a whole new look without the traditional costs of a full remodel in a given room. Fireplace inserts are aesthetically pleasing and stylish, and give a room a very appealing focal point.

For more information on how fireplace inserts can benefit your home, or to find out about any of our new custom fireplace services, speak to the pros at Comfort Solutions today.

 

In general, gas fireplaces offer several advantages over other types. They allow easier use, with no need to chop firewood or find kindling, and they’re simpler to install. Best yet, they’re great for the environment compared to many other styles.

At Comfort Solutions, our gas fireplaces bring you all the benefits you’re looking for in an affordable, full-service package. One big decision you’ll have to make: Vented or vent free? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

Vented Fireplaces

A vented fireplace contains a flue or ventilation pipe to help keep combustion byproducts away from the home. The ductwork is traditionally routed out a chimney, but for homes without a chimney, there are direct-vent fireplaces available that route negative particles out of the home via ducts in the walls.

There are a few distinct advantages to vented fireplaces:

  • Safety: This is the largest advantage. There’s no concern with sparks, hazardous particles or any combustion byproducts. This is an especially large benefit for people who have allergies or asthma, or who have children with these conditions.
  • Look: Vented fireplaces tend to have flames that look extremely natural.
  • Heating: Certain direct-vent models can provide some of the best in-home heating benefits.

There are also a few drawbacks to vented fireplaces compared with vent free:

  • Cost: Vented models are generally more expensive to install, given the additional parts.
  • Location: There isn’t always a great place in the house to run new venting, which can make installation tough in some cases.

Vent Free Fireplaces

Vent free fireplaces use no vents, and in certain existing homes, they’re the only gas option if new ducting can’t be supported by the home’s infrastructure. Some of the benefits of vent free fireplaces include:

  • Price: Vent free models are less expensive than vented fireplaces, since there are fewer parts to install.
  • Heating: Because no heat is leaving the house through a duct or a chimney, this style of fireplace makes for excellent heating.

With no vent to release fire byproducts, some people are concerned about health and related issues due to chemicals and water vapor in the living area. A window will need to be kept open, or separate ductwork may need to be installed. In some cases, the price benefits listed above can disappear through this necessity.

Want to learn more about the differences between vented and vent free fireplaces, or interested in any of our custom fireplace services? Speak to the experts at Comfort Solutions today.

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You know us best for our custom fireplace services, but at Comfort Solutions, we provide numerous other heating and air services as well. One such service that’s particularly important in a warm, dry Utah summer like the one upcoming: Humidifier services.

A humidifier in the home is one of your first lines of defense against low humidity, and the accompanying dryness issues it brings with it. What are the causes and signs of low humidity in the home, and how does a whole-house humidifier help address these issues?

Low Humidity Causes

Humidity refers to water vapor suspended in the air, and in general, warmer air holds more moisture than cooler air – this is why dryness is so common during the winter. When there isn’t enough vapor in the air, the little moisture that is present will be quickly sucked into the air, including moisture that leaves your body through areas like the skin, nose and throat. In these situations, there will be limited techniques available for adding more moisture inside the home, which can become drier and drier.

Signs of Low Humidity

There are several possible signs that the humidity in your home could be too low:

  • Static shock: When you’ve been touching carper for a while, then touch a new surface and receive (or give) a shock
  • Dry or itchy skin
  • Nose bleeds, especially during winter
  • Chapped lips, often even despite chapstick or other combatants
  • Persistent coughs
  • Flare-ups or new symptoms in allergies or asthma cases
  • Gaps or warping in wood flooring
  • Cracks or molding in wood furniture

Whole-House Humidifier

The best solution to low humidity is a whole-house humidifier, which mounts directly to the furnace and requires almost no maintenance. Humidity levels can be set and adjusted based on need. Whole-house humidifiers have their own water supply, which limits any confusion. In cases where chronic low humidity is an issue, a whole-house humidifier makes much more economic and practical sense than several separate, individual humidifiers.

Want to learn more about humidifiers, or interested in a beautiful new fireplace or any of our other heating and cooling services? Speak to the experts at Comfort Solutions today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]