Question About an Electric Fireplace

Long story short, my fireplace is not currently useable. It will cost about $5000 to get it up and running to code (I'm in California). I found this electric insert for $200 that will fit in my fireplace hole perfectly. My worry is that it will look like a cheap fix. I've never really experienced and electric fireplace. Will it look like a cheap fix or will it look nice?
Originally a gas fireplace, the gas insert was removed and a wood burning insert was put in. Not up to code, it was removed when we bought the house.
This is what it looks like now.
  13 answers
  • Cindy Lair Cindy Lair on Dec 31, 2013
    i think it will look fine. My sister has an electric fireplace she bought and the flames reflect and roll in the background. You can always save up for the 5grand fix- but I bet by the time you decorate around it , it will be nice.
  • Bess W Bess W on Dec 31, 2013
    Any reason you don't want to take it back to gas? I inserted gas logs in my kitchen fireplace and it looks great.
  • Becky E Becky E on Dec 31, 2013
    I think it would be a great solution and I'd do it. As Cindy said, maybe you could convert it back later.
  • Building Moxie Building Moxie on Dec 31, 2013
    how about a pellet stove? pretty effective, pretty efficient, pretty clean and the ducting requirement is minimal, possibly very in line with a set up for gas (but I am not certain).
  • Bess W Bess W on Jan 01, 2014
    I understand. I have multiple lists of possible improvements but my wallet is smaller than my list. My house had only one working fireplace but every room has a mantle. For one in the living room I bought a device that actually hangs on the wall. You then use 1 to 3 cans of gel to make the fire. It puts out a little heat but I wouldn't rely on that...too expensive. What I do like about it is it crackles just like a fire and it looks great, especially at night. Also, it is ventless. This website has a few but they are all over the Internet. http://www.ventless-gel-fireplace.com/gel-fuel-fireplaces.html In another room, I bought a little electric franklin stove. it puts out a little heat and it also makes a decent looking "fire." I think I paid about $100 for that piece. The gel fireplace was about $200. Good luck with your fireplace. I am anxious to see what you come up with...so many options!
  • Mary kemple Mary kemple on Jan 01, 2014
    electric fireplaces are fine and you can have heat or just have the look of it burning and leave the heat turned off.....I prefer them to the real thing and they are clean...safe....and children and pets can not get burned....if careful with the purchase you can get electric elements that look like real wood burning...I own three and one even has the look of embers burning
  • Pam Pam on Jan 02, 2014
    I live in Florida where a conventional fireplace is not economical, but I really wanted the feel/ambiance of a fireplace to help my block home feel more homey. I just purchased one from Big Lots outlet store for $399. And we love it. Go for it,, just get a new one or the flame may not look as good. I think you will really like it. I'm glad I don't have the mess that comes with a traditional firplace. IT heat the living room but really just like having the flames on when the weather is just a little chilly. When it's cold we run it pretty much all day. I don't know about our electrical costs yet, since we never ran our whole house forced air heater but was told it will cost much much less.
  • Lisa Lisa on Jan 02, 2014
    I bought mine from Home Depot and LOVE it!!! It looks great and gives the room a much cozier feel.
  • Nanci Haskin Nanci Haskin on Jan 02, 2014
    @Bess W - so with the gel fireplace logs, you don't have to worry about chimney? I clicked on your link, and found this on that site: http://www.ventless-gel-fireplace.com/24-convert-to-gel-log-set-oak.html
  • Nanci Haskin Nanci Haskin on Jan 02, 2014
    @Bess W - so with the gel fireplace logs, you don't have to worry about chimney? I clicked on your link, and found this on that site: http://www.ventless-gel-fireplace.com/24-convert-to-gel-log-set-oak.html
  • Nanci Haskin Nanci Haskin on Jan 02, 2014
    Sorry comment posted twice AND I wasn't finished. If your fireplace is suitable for the gel logs, is an insert required? Or can you just get the log set?
  • Electric fireplaces are a great solution for an unused chimney, but in terms of realism, it really depends on the manufacturer as some look a lot more realistic than others. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. Dimplex Optimyst are the best on the market and the first ever 3D flame and smoke effect. Take a look at some of those or we'd be happy to help recommend some others: http://www.electricfireplacesdirect.com/Dimplex-Optimyst-Fireplaces?utm_source=hometalk&utm_medium=social&utm_term=20140129&utm_content=textlink&utm_campaign=lm
  • Liz Eades Liz Eades on Dec 15, 2014
    How about a ventless propane gas stove? Are they allowed in California?