The flames of an Opti-Myst fire do not crackle and burn like an authentic fire, but nevertheless, the fire still looks surprisingly authentic and thus produces the same feelings of comfort and warmth associated with a solid fuel fire. Dimplex have been producing opti-flame fires since 1988, but, as they say themselves, the Opti-Myst is ‘the most realistic flame and smoke effect ever seen in an electric fire’.

A flame effect electric fire comes with all the usual benefits of any other electric fire – the convenience, the easy installation, the affordable running costs. With many people today leading busy lives, the convenience factor is a big plus of the electric fire. The safety aspect is another big selling point – no more noxious fumes or smoke and ash to deal with.

So, the flame effect electric fire produces a stunning visual effect, but lacks the sounds and smells associated with a real fire. For the reasons above, most people would rather experience the comfort and warmth associated with a real fire without the associated sounds and smells, than have to make a fire every day, with all the time and budget constraints – for this reason, the flame effect electric fire will always be a big seller.

Well, of course, you know where we’re going here!  Today’s electric fireplaces give you many of the benefits of an open fire with none of the usual mess.  Within minutes of getting your new fire home you can have it fitted, switched on, and providing a cosy glow for the family.

Great for control freaks –  you can adjust heat level and brightness by having the flames without the heat or the heat without the flames.  At the end of a long summer day when you want to snuggle up in front of the television, switch on the flames and you have all the cosiness without the heat.  Although, if the British summers of the last couple of years are anything to go buy, you might want to switch the heat on too.

Lots of people think that because they don’t have a chimney they can’t have the cosy look of a fireplace.  Well, perhaps the best thing about electric fireplace inserts is that they don’t require venting, which means they can be placed against any wall, whether its an outside wall or not.   Its up to you whether you choose to inset the fire into a fire surround or just have it against the wall, perhaps as part of an entertainment centre.

Electric fires do not require any ventilation and there are no carbon monoxide threats as no fuel is burnt.  This is also better for the environment than traditional fires, of course.  As with any electrical installation, care should be taken to prevent ingress of water and little fingers.

You should, perhaps, bear in mind that no matter how our technological and manufacturing processes improve, an electric fire is never going to fool the eye into believing it is a real fire; having said that, today’s electric fires and electric fire inserts are a world away from the electric fires of old.  And, most importantly, they give anybody the opportunity of having a warming, cosy focal point in their home.

Many contemporary electric fires come with glowing coals, pebbles or logs as well as flames and, of course, the pervading warmth of the traditional fire. Electric fires typically provide as much as 10,000 BTUs of heat – it would take just under 2lbs of pine logs to create this much heat with a solid fuel fire!

Of course, the electric fire suite does not require a chimney or a gas supply, and thus is extra convenient – simply plug the fire in anywhere you wish and the job is done! Common materials for the surround of an electric fire suite are wood, brick, stone, marble or cast-iron, and there is usually plenty of choice regarding finish and colour – this means there is an electric suite to suit any home, regardless of décor.

For a superb selection of electric fires and suites, check out firestyle.co.uk. Firestyle describe themselves as ‘a one-stop shop for the latest in fires and suites at fantastic discount prices’, and they speak the truth – their electric suites are stunning and represent excellent value for money. The Flamerite Austen traditional suite incorporates a cast iron arched multifunction remote-controlled fire (choice of coal or logs), a chunky warm oak surround and black marble hearth, all for under £800.

For the contemporary home, see the amazing Lucca suite. This comprises the latest landscape hang-on-the-wall fire, with a stone effect frame. The fire is remote-controlled and comes in a choice of fuels, and in various colours, and is available for under £700. Whatever you are looking for in an electric fire suite, Fire Style can deliver – a traditional or modern freestanding fire, a hang on the wall fire – the choice is yours. Best of all, little or no construction work is needed.

The biggest convenience of an electric fire is that you simply plug in to use – avoiding all the hassles associated with the solid fuel or gas fire. Ash and embers from a real fire literally get everywhere, and this can be very annoying. Also, electric fires do seem to require less maintenance than gas and solid fuel fires – no more having to pay someone to clean the chimney or regularly service the fire. Perhaps the greatest thing is that, although electric fires were traditionally convenient but did not ‘look the part’, this has completely changed today. Modern technology has ensured that those electric fires with flame effects look as realistic and inviting as a real fire.

Regarding the impact on the environment, fires powered by electricity are very energy efficient, thus wasting little heat. As already ascertained, electric fires cost, in general, around 14p per hour on maximum settings, and this means it only costs around £20 per month to use it for four hours every night. Compared with the cost of maintaining and running a solid fuel or gas fire, this is the cheaper option by far.

Electric fires really are easy to install and simple to run, and also very good value – if you want the warm glow associated with a real fire in your room, just turn on the glowing coals on your fire. These can be used with or without the electric heating element or heater, thus meaning that you can have the cosy look without having to use fuel. There is little risk with the electric fire – for example, there is no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. All in all, electric fires require no regular servicing for their operation, reduce costs and increase convenience.

Recently, Dimplex unveiled their new ‘Opti-Myst’ range of fires, and these produce an amazingly realistic flame and smoke effect, never seen before. This is achieved through the use of holographics projected onto atomised water (steam), in order to realistically simulate authentic flames. ‘Smoke’ and glowing coals, logs, or pebbles complete the look.

One of the positive aspects of using a Dimplex electric fire is that they are environmentally friendly. All Dimplex fires are 100% efficient at point of use, meaning that there is no wastage of heat or energy (and money!). Many models also come with a room-sensing thermostat that saves electricity by switching itself off when a room reaches its ideal temperature. In addition, there are no harmful CO2 emissions and big gas bills with an electric fire!

Also, the flame effect on an electric fire is extremely cheap to operate – Dimplex estimate the energy cost at around £2 per annum, and the lifespan of the LED bulbs that operate the effect at almost 55 years. Compare this with the cost of running a gas fire – there is no real comparison. This is a distinct advantage of the electric fire: a cosy, real flame effect for little cost, and the fire does not even need to be activated!

There are many designs of Dimplex electric fire, and these can be bought alone, or as part of a fireplace suite that includes a surround, back panel and hearth. Wall mounted fires; inset and freestanding fires; stoves; traditional radiant bar fires; complete suites – all are available at Dimplex, with models to suit all tastes. Better still, all that is needed to install a Dimplex electric fire is a plug socket! Visit Dimplex today for your electric fire needs.

One of the biggest selling points of an electric fire over a traditional solid fuel fire is the absence of ash. Ash can settle everywhere and thus the need for constant cleaning and dusting arises. Also, there is a risk of downdraught with a solid fuel fire, where smoke is forced back down the chimney – this can damage furniture and other materials that are sensitive to dirt. A real fire requires regular maintenance and the chimney sweeping at least once a year, and this costs money. In contrast, an electric fire is not only more convenient, but more economical too.

Electric fires are very energy efficient and waste very little heat. Electric fires and fireplaces cost a maximum of 14 pence an hour if all of the heating elements are in use – that means if you were to use it for four hours a night, seven days a week, it would still amount to only around £20 a month. This is very reasonable, when compared with the cost of maintaining a traditional or gas fire.

Electric fires are also environmentally friendly, as, unlike the gas fire, they have no carbon emissions. Many popular electric fireplace models also incorporate several energy saving devices, such as room sensors to adjust the heat of the fire when the room reaches its ideal temperature. All electric fires are 100% efficient at point of use -as opposed to the 80% of most other types of fire – meaning more energy is conserved.

To conclude, electric fires are the easiest and most flexible to install, and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning associated with the gas fire is removed. Electric fires do not require regular servicing like the gas fire, therefore reducing costs considerably. Electric fires and fireplaces are safe, economical to run, convenient, and kind to the environment.