Amish Fireplaces, Or The Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Electric Fireplace
For those who prefer the atmosphere that a wood burning stove provides, yet lack the space in their home for one, an electric space heater designed to look like a real hearth is an option. While nothing can replace the actual experience of heating your home with a wood stove, Amish fireplaces come a close second. The Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Electric Fireplace sells for between $350 and $400, and is available in oak and cherry, as well as black and white. The electric heating insert is manufactured in China, while the wood cabinets they are set in are built by an Amish colony in Ohio. They are designed to look like real hearths, down to the faux fire display, and have optional add-ons including a mirror and bookshelf. The Heat Surge provides two different heat setting, 750-watt and 1,500-watt, and can heat a 325 square foot room for "about 16 cents an hours", assuming that the owner is using zone heating. Which means that these Amish fireplaces are economic for heating the main living areas in a home, provided that other areas of the home are kept cooler, in order to reduce heating costs. Of course, natural gas is cheaper to heat a home with, but if you don't have that option or prefer space heaters, then electric heaters like the Heat Surge do an efficient job as well. Consumer reports state that the Heat Surge is convenient, quiet and safe to use. Reports also state that the unit remains cool to the touch, even after hours of continuous use. They come with a remote control, which allows the user to turn the unit on and off, as well as to switch the heat between low and high. There are also multiple brightness settings for the faux flames. Some versions of the Amish fireplaces tend to be a bit front heavy, but are equipped with tipover protection switch, which turns the unit off when if it falls over. There are plenty of radiant space heaters that heat as efficientlyas the Heat Surge for a lot less money. The advantage that the Amish fireplaces have over these other space heaters is the atmosphere they offer. While both versions do the same amount of heating for very different prices, the Heat Surge is meant to do it with more style. |