If you have never considered installing an electric fireplace unit in your home because they are too faux, or too false looking -- it's time to take another look. Electric fireplaces today offer designer mantel and firebox combos that look very much like the real thing. Or you can get just the electric fireplace insert to install in your existing masonry fireplace.

Electric fireplace unit features

Electric fireplace unit design. There are a number of electric fireplace manufacturers that offer a range different styles of mantel-fireplace unit combos ranging from sleek white modern to warm wood-hued colonial designs, You can also get electric fire units that look like small wood stoves. Electric fireplace units are designed for corners or flat walls. You can have one installed as you are building a new house, or simply place one inside a room without having to install a chimney.

Fire realism. The the firelogs come in various styles of realism. The one I like comes with flames and glowing embers. The flames and embers look eerily realistic.

Electric fireplace heat. To make the ambiance complete, these units produce heat. With a simple flick of a switch on the unit you can turn it on and off. There's more -- you can operate them with heat and flames, or with flames only. One Dimplex unit produces 4,695 Btus per hour of heat on 1,375 watts. The heat you feel in the room is convection heat -- a small concealed fan blows heated air into the room through an innocuous grill. It is enough to warm an average room.

Electric fireplace unit power requirements. Most of the units can be plugged into an existing wall outlet. (Check the power rating of the electric fireplace power unit and make sure it is within that of your electric circuit.) If you prefer you can hard wire the unit to a wall switch, but that requires another level of effort. Hire a qualified electrician if you're not comfortable working with electricity and house wiring.

Electric fireplace unit remote control. You can control your electric fireplace unit remotely. Some come with a built-in remote sensor and a hand-held remote unit. You can turn them on and off from the comfort of your easy chair. There's even a thermostat control on some units -- they turn on and off to maintain your selected temperature setting.

Easy home automation. You can even set up electric fireplace control via Internet from your web-enabled iPhone or Android. You'll need to install an easy home automation Insteon network. Buy only the Insteon modules you need to control what you what, when you want -- and expand your setup to other tasks -- like remote lighting control -- when you want. You can also control your window air conditioner via Internet using a similar setup.

Maybe it's time to take another look at an electric fireplace unit.