Building electrification is a growing movement in homebuilding. From ZNE to electrification building codes the world is looking to reduce its carbon footprint. In the U.S. buildings account for 40% of the country’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and represent one of the most important pieces in the decarbonization puzzle.
At the same time, increased lot, labor, and material expense are squeezing margins at a time when entry-level homes are in demand. This has driven a shift towards attached living and de-selection of standard options which can lead to dissatisfied homebuyers.
This landscape is the perfect use scenario for electric fireplaces. Once seen as undesirable, electric fireplace technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the last half dozen years. Today’s electric fireplaces offer clean aesthetics and diverse configurations and features.
Electric fireplaces bring several benefits with them.
- Cost
Electric fireplaces are relatively inexpensive, are a cost-effective direct heat source, and require no venting, so installation is a snap. All this means a profit-driving value-added solution for homebuilders and homebuyers alike.
- Flexibility
Electric fireplaces are the go-anywhere do-anything solution for homebuilders. No gas, no problem. Space issues, no problem. Venting challenges, no problem. TV or décor concerns, no problem. Give your homebuyers what they want in all your home plans and give them an electric fireplace.
- Realism
The impressive visual magic of today's electric fireplaces owes their realism to LED lighting technology. A bank of lights in the back of electric fireplace models coupled with a rotisserie-like rod that turns and refracts light on reflective materials. The movement fools the eye, drawing viewers in with dancing light and shadows that mimic "real" flames. Plus, electric fireplaces’ sleek and modern design with ember-bed lighting, no mesh screen, and the ability to bring finishing materials tight to the edge of the fireplace deliver a flush look and elegant simplicity that today’s homebuyers love.
- Environmental
Electricity is a green alternative to fossil fuels or wood because they have no emissions, fumes, or pollutants of any kind, so electric fireplaces won’t compromise the indoor or outdoor air quality of your communities.
Homebuyer desire for fireplaces remains high with over 90% of homebuyers being open to fireplaces in their new home. That paired with the recent focus on the home as a bastion of safety and the fireplace’s role as a calming and comforting influence make electric fireplaces the perfect solution for your more challenging projects.
