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.

•    There is a wide range of Victorian electric fires to suit every taste and budget, and these can be matched with any traditional Victorian fireplace insert and mantel – either original or reproduction. Complete electric Victorian suites are also available.

•    All electric Victorian fires are powered by an efficient 2Kw heater; enough to provide heating throughout the spring and autumn months without the need for central heating. Most come with handy variable heat settings.

•    Many electric Victorian fires sit behind a traditional fret and are covered with real coal, giving a realistic natural look and warmth. Technology has ensured that electric fires now look as realistic as coal fires: sometimes, people cannot tell the difference! A distinct advantage of having an electric fire is that, because the warmth is generated by heater, you can enjoy the cosy, soothing glow of a ‘real’ fire at any time without the heat, simply by the flick of a switch!

•   Electric fires are extremely simple to install – they simply plug into a standard plug socket. They are also relatively cheap to use, especially if the fire is mainly used on ‘flame only’.

•    In our environmentally conscious world, electric heating is the ideal solution. Electric heating produces no smoke, fumes or odours, is economical and 100% efficient.

•    Best of all, an electric Victorian fireplace allows those who only have electric power to their homes to experience the traditional ambience, comfort and warmth of a coal fire.