Tips For Using An Ethanol Fireplace In A Small Home

There are many advantages of having a cozy fireplace when the winter months become too cold and dark. That’s where a ceiling mounted ethanol fireplace comes in handy. It’s contemporary and stylish enough to suit your home. 

Here is what you need to know about the pros and cons associated with ethanol fireplaces and modern fireplace designs so you can decide if they are good enough for your home. 

The Pros 

1. You can enjoy the real flame ambiance that comes with traditional fireplaces without worrying about the odor, soot or smoke often associated with burning wood. 

2. Ethanol fireplaces are very simple to operate and usually much cleaner. Refuel the burner with the liquid fuel and you are good to go. 

3. They don’t have a vent so there is no need to install them into your home’s structure. 

4. They are very portable so you can place them anywhere in your home without any hassles. Therefore, if you don’t have enough floor space, you can mount them on the wall or use a tabletop fireplace without using up a lot of the square footage in your home. 

The Cons 

1. One disadvantage is that ethanol fireplaces don’t generate a lot of heat. Therefore, they can’t be used in place of your home’s heating system.

2. A lot of manufacturers have claimed that ethanol fireplaces are eco-friendly and safe to use indoors. However, further research has identified that they actually pollute the indoor air and are very combustible. 

3. Since they are ventless, most ethanol fireplaces use the room they are placed as the flue. 

4. When fire uses oxygen it emits carbon dioxide with some combustible particles. If these pollutants are inhaled, they are likely to penetrate deep into your lungs causing serious health problems. Repeated exposure can cause serious fatalities if not checked. 

5. Finally, the ethanol fireplaces have real fire which if not checked might cause an accident that will burn down your entire home. 

How To Use A Ethanol Fireplace Safely 

To avoid the cons mentioned above, here are some of the tips to consider when using ethanol fireplaces. 

• Never use them in a tightly sealed home or if there isn’t enough space indoors. 

• If you must use the fireplace in a house with small spaces or tightly sealed, there should be a carbon monoxide detector. Try to open up a few windows as well. 

• There’s no specific regulation on the manufacturing of ethanol fireplaces. However, when purchasing one, make sure it is UL certified. 

• Use the ethanol fuel created specifically for your fireplace. Don’t use any substitutes. 

• Don’t touch the fireplace when it’s turned on. Rather, wait for it to cool down before moving it.

• Never place the fireplace near sofas, clutter, blankets, curtains or beds or anything that is combustible. 
• Never leave the fireplace unattended. Always switch it off before going out.