There are thousands of different electric fireplaces on the market. Like with all products some are better than others and all offer different features to suit different tastes and requirements. Since there are so many different options available quality is of key importance. Like with most items – you get what you pay for. You can go online and order a $200 electric fireplace on Amazon; however it will never match the quality craftsmanship, warmth, and beauty of a Regency Skope.
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Aside from quality, there are many other things to consider when shopping for an electric fireplace. The most important thing is to understand what you are looking for. Do you want a built-in electric fireplace? Are you looking for the most realistic electric fireplace? Or do you want the warmest electric fireplace? What you are most interested in will help you choose which fireplace is best for you!
We have identified 6 key factors to consider when researching which electric fireplace to purchase.
- Internal Heater (Heat Output)
- Styling
- Glass Viewing Size
- Firebox Depth
- Number of Lighting Variations
- Estimated Yearly Cost
Internal Heater (Heat Output)
Heat output is measured in BTU’s or British Thermal Units. The higher the BTU output the more heat a fireplace will produce. Typically electric fireplaces will produce anywhere From 1,000 to 7,000 BTU’s. In comparison a gas fireplace may produce anywhere from 19,000 to 48,000 BTU’s.
With electric fireplaces the heat is generated from an internal heater. The BTU output can be measured by the kW consumption of the heater. The higher the kW consumption for the fireplace, the more heat (BTU’s) will be produced by the internal heater. 1 kW is approximately 3,400 BTU’s.
A nice feature of electric fireplaces is they can be used with or without heat. If you choose to run without heat you will dramatically reduce the total energy consumption of the fireplace while still maintaining its beautiful ambience.
Typically a manufacturer’s line of electric fireplaces will produce the same level of BTU’s across its various sizes. For example, the Regency Skope E110, E135 and E195 all contain the same 2 kW internal heater.
Styling
The majority of people purchase an electric fireplace for its appealing visual appearance. Since electric fireplaces cannot compete with traditional Gas or Wood fireplaces in terms of heat output, they compete when it comes to innovative styling, lighting, and aesthetics. When it comes to style, the Regency Skope Series of electric fireplaces is not to be outdone. With its modern, clean aesthetic the Regency Skope is perfectly suited to a sleek modern penthouse, or a traditionally styled rancher.
Glass Viewing Size
Get more of what you paid for, the view! A larger glass viewing area means you can see more of the flame effects and better experience the warmth, comfort and ambience of your fireplace. Many fireplace manufacturers boast large firebox frame sizes but have bulky frames and surrounds that actually reduce the viewing area, so you are paying for more but getting less!
Firebox Depth
Depth in an electric fireplace is one of the most important aspects for helping to create the allusion of real flames. The first electric fireplaces that were released were very thin with TV-like profiles. These thin electric fireplaces produced poor, obviously fake flame effects. Modern electric fireplaces instead rely on depth and advanced LED technology to create flames that are almost indiscernible from the real thing!
The Regency Skope utilizes its deep firebox to create a realistic fire display. Couple that with a completely customizable Media Kit of fuel bed options including crystals, logs, and pebbles to create the appearance and feeling of a real fireplace!
Number of Lighting Variations
One of the benefits of electric is the ability to customize the lighting display. You are no longer restricted to the traditional yellow/orange flames. Now you can choose ice-blue, green, purple, orange, yellow, or any combination of the above. Couple that with complementary/contrasting colors for your uplighting and downlighting for a truly one-of-a-kind visual experience. Choosing the fireplace with the most available lighting combinations will help add versatility to your home with a new/different color for any time of day or mood. Create the perfect ambience no matter the situation.
Estimated Yearly Cost
The yearly cost is something that you will want to consider when making your purchase decision. Estimated Yearly Cost will vary dramatically based on your location, installation, usage behavior, and the cost of electricity.
In order to accurately compare, we had to calculate the estimated cost using the same conditions – max kW output with the same installation and usage settings. As a result of this method, the units that are able to produce the most heat (Max kW & BTU’s) tend to cost more throughout the year, whereas the ones who produce the least, typically cost the least per year.
Small Electric Fireplaces (Skope E110)
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The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular small linear electric fireplaces for sale in Canada and the United states.
- Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 2 kW
- Styling: Built-In & 3-Sided Bay
- Glass Viewing Size: 34” – 45”
- Firebox Depth: 5” – 14”
- Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
- Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 - $131*
How the Skope Stacks Up!
There are three comparable electric fireplaces to the Regency Skope E110 multi-sided fireplace. These include the Amanti 40 Tru View, Napoleon Allure 42, and Dimplex 34.
Only Regency and Amanti offer a bay-style or multi-sided glass fireplace, the other manufacturers only offer a built-in version at this size. The Regency Skope provides the most heat with its built-in 2kW heater and also leads the way in terms of different lighting combinations. With over 39 different lighting combinations, compared to 9 with some of the others, you can set your fireplace to match your mood – anytime. The Amanti 40 Tru View and Regency Skope both offer the largest glass size in the small linear electric fireplace category and Amanti offers the deepest firebox at just over 14”.
Small Built-in Electric Fireplaces (Skope E105)
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The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular small linear electric fireplaces for sale in Canada and the United states.
- Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 2 kW
- Styling: Wall Mount & Built-In
- Glass Viewing Size: 34” – 45”
- Firebox Depth: 5” – 14”
- Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
- Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 - $131*
How the Skope Stacks Up!
Like the Skope E110 there are three comparable electric fireplaces to the Regency Skope E110 multi-sided fireplace. These include the Amanti 40 Tru View, Napoleon Allure 42, and Dimplex 34.
Unlike the E110, the Regency Skope E105 is a one-sided built in electric fireplace, aside from this the size of the units is comparable and therefore stack up the same way as described above. This is because both the Skope E105 and E110 are both “small” linear electric fireplaces.
Medium Electric Fireplaces (Skope E135)
The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular mid-sized linear electric fireplaces for sale in the United States and Canada.
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- Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 2 kW
- Styling: Wall Mount & Built-In
- Glass Viewing Size: 49” – 60”
- Firebox Depth: 4” – 8”
- Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
- Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 - $131*
How the Skope Stacks Up!
The mid-sized electric fireplace category is quite crowded with 7 comparable fireplaces to the Regency Skope E135 in terms of heat capacity, glass size, and firebox depth. These include the Amantia BI-50 Extra Slim, Napoleon Allure Phantom 50 & 60 Models, Napoleon Allure 60, Dimplex Ignite XL 50 & 60, and the Dimplex Prism 50.
Once again the Regency Skope leads all in the mid-sized electric for heat output and number of lighting combinations. The Regency Skope E135 also offers the deepest firebox of any of the mid-sized electric fireplaces. The Napoleon 60 and Dimplex 60 models take the crown for largest glass size.
Large Electric Fireplaces (Skope E195)
The following is a quick overview of the key considerations for the most popular large linear electric fireplaces for sale in North America.
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- Internal Heater: 1.23 kW – 3 kW
- Styling: Wall Mount & Built-In
- Glass Viewing Size: 50” – 80”
- Firebox Depth: 5” – 12”
- Number of Lighting Variations: 9 - 39
- Estimated Yearly Cost: $80 – 197*
How the Skope Stacks Up!
Similar to the medium electric fireplace category, the large electric fireplace category offers many choices. There are 6 directly-comparable models to the Regency Skope E195. These include the Amanti BI-60-Deep, Napoleon Clearion, Napoleon Allure 72, Dimplex Galveston 74, Dimplex Ignite XL 74 and the Dimplex Prism 74.
The Regency Skope offers the largest viewing area with the largest glass size of all models and wins once again with its class leading 39 lighting combinations. The Amanti BI-60 narrowly edges out the Skope E195 and has the deepest firebox in the category. Napoleon Clearion series produces the most heat in the category with a built-in 3 kW heater.
Related Resources About Electric Fireplaces:
Top 11 Fireplace Questions – Get the answers to the top most searched questions regarding electric fireplaces including “How do electric fireplaces make flames?” and “Are electric fireplaces hot to the touch?”
Top 5 Reasons to Buy An Electric Fireplace - Electric fireplaces are ideal for people who live in areas where gas or wood fireplaces may be restricted, or for someone who wants something truly unique. See our top 5 reasons to buy an electric fireplace here.
Introducing Skope Premium Electric Fireplaces – Learn more about the features of Regency’s line of premium realistic built-in electric fireplaces, or visit the electric fireplace section of our website to start browsing our models!
Notes:
*Please Note: Estimated Yearly Cost will vary dramatically based on your location, installation, use, and the cost of electricity. For comparative purposes all electric fireplaces estimated yearly cost was calculated using max kW output at $0.10 per kWh under the same installation conditions (Voltage and Amperage) for one hour every single day of the year. A result of this method is the units that are able to produce the most heat (Max kW & BTU’s) cost more throughout the year, whereas the ones who produce the least, cost the least per year.
**Please Note: Manufacturers listed may produce other similar models in varying sizes and configurations, however, any model listed for comparison was chosen as it closely resembles the Regency Skope series of electric fireplaces and therefore would offer the closest comparison.