When it comes to creating a cozy and warm atmosphere in your home, two of the most popular options are log burners and electric fireplaces. Both have their unique advantages and drawbacks. We’re here to break them down across several important factors to help you decide which is the best fit for your needs.
1. Cost
Log Burners
- Initial Cost: Log burners can be expensive to install, with costs varying depending on the model and installation complexity. On average, the cost of a log burner with installation in the UK can range from £2,500 to £5,000.
- Running Costs: Log burners require firewood, which can quickly add up in cost depending on how often you use the burner. If you use seasoned hardwood, it’s generally cheaper than softwood, but prices can vary depending on your location and season. The average cost of logs in the UK can range between £130 - £160 for a cubic metre of seasoned hardwood. As a guide, if you were to use your log burner 5 times a week for 5 hours each time, the average cost would be £25 per week or £100 per month.
- Maintenance Costs: Log burners require extra maintenance, with the recommendation for chimneys to be swept by a professional at least once a year to ensure the chimney breast is kept clean and to prevent fire hazards from build-up. The average cost in the UK is roughly £90.
Rating: 6/10
Electric Fireplaces
- Initial Cost: Electric log burners have a lower initial cost, with prices ranging between the £100's for cheap models and in the £1,000's for high-end models and large sizes. They are much cheaper to install compared to log burners and may DIY enthusiasts choose to do this themselves as it requires few tools and is pretty easy to complete. Having your fire installed by a qualified electrician or builder could cost as little as £100-£200. Obviously more complex designs such as full media walls will cost more and depend on the size, materials, storage requirements etc.
- Running Costs: Electric fireplaces are powered by electricity (talk about stating the obvious, right?), and don’t require purchasing fuel like firewood. They can be much more energy-efficient, and running costs depend on how frequently you use the fire and what your electricity rates are. On average electric fires are cheaper to run than log burners. If your home has solar panels its an extra bonus and means running costs are even cheaper.
Rating: 9/10
Winner: Electric Fireplace
2. Eco-Friendliness
Log Burners
- Carbon Emissions: Log burners produce carbon emissions when burning wood, which contributes to air pollution. Modern wood stoves are more efficient and can burn cleaner, but they still release CO2 into the atmosphere.
- Sustainability: The sustainability of a log burner depends on the type of wood you burn. Using sustainable, locally-sourced firewood can make log burners more eco-friendly, but the overall environmental impact is still relatively high compared to electric alternatives.
Rating: 4/10
Electric Fireplaces
- Carbon Emissions: Electric fireplaces don’t produce carbon emissions during operation, making them much more eco-friendly compared to log burners.
- Energy Source: The environmental impact of an electric fireplace depends on how the electricity is generated. If the electricity from your energy provider comes from renewable sources, an electric fireplace is exceptionally eco-friendly.
Rating: 8/10
Winner: Electric Fireplace
3. Heat Output
Log Burners
- Heat Efficiency: Log burners provide strong, radiant heat that can warm a room quickly. However, they can be less efficient in larger rooms unless you install a larger, more powerful model. They also require ventilation and can create hot spots in the room.
- Heating Area: A log burner can heat spaces very effectively. For larger and open plan spaces, you’ll need a to invest in a larger, more expensive stove and pair with a fan that sits on top of the stove to circulate the heat effectively.
Rating: 8/10
Electric Fireplaces
- Heat Efficiency: Electric fireplaces are less powerful than log burners, but they are designed to provide enough heat to warm a room comfortably. They generally offer a more consistent and even heat distribution.
- Heating Area: Electric fireplaces work best in smaller to medium-sized rooms. While they may not heat an entire home, they can easily warm up a living room or bedroom.
Rating: 6/10
Winner: Log Burner
4. Ease of Use
Log Burners
- Ease of Operation: Log burners require a bit more effort to operate. You need to manually load the wood, light the fire, and maintain it by adding logs, tending to the flame and adjusting vents for proper airflow.
- Cleaning & Maintenance: Log burners require regular cleaning and maintenance. You need to remove ash, check for soot build-up in the chimney, and ensure proper ventilation. It’s recommended to get your chimney swept at least once a year by a professional to remove soot from the chimney breast and prevent anything that could become a fire risk.
Rating: 5/10
Electric Fireplaces
- Ease of Operation: Electric fireplaces are incredibly easy to use. Simply turn them on with a remote or a button, and you can enjoy instant heat without any mess. Remote control electric fires and those with smart home app integration like Google Home or Amazon Alexa (almost all our models offer this) are the ultimate in convenience. You can change the flame colours, heat output, crackle sounds, downlighters and firebed colours with a simple tap of a button.
- Cleaning & Maintenance: Electric fireplaces require very low maintenance. They don’t produce ash or soot, so you just need to wipe the glass down occasionally to keep them looking nice.
Rating: 10/10
Winner: Electric Fireplace
5. Aesthetic Appeal
Log Burners
Aesthetics naturally come down to personal preference and the style of your home’s interior.
- Visual Appeal: Log burners provide a traditional, rustic charm that many people love. The real flames create a cozy, natural ambiance that can be a central focal point in a room. It’s ideal for creating an authentic, classic home atmosphere.
Rating: 8/10
Electric Fireplaces
- Visual Appeal: Electric fireplaces have evolved to offer realistic flame effects, and modern fireplace designs mimic the look of a real fire. They are suited to modern and rustic homes alike, though many choose them for their sleek and contemporary appeal.
- 3 Sided Panoramic Views: One thing contemporary electric fires can offer that traditional log burners don’t is there flexibility of installation. For example, all Fire and Frost’s Econovex fires can be installed as one-sided, two sided (corner), or three sided. The 3 sided fireplace option offers stunning panoramic views from every angle. All can be built in to a wall or media wall so they are flush, or wall mounted.
Rating: 8/10
Winner: It’s a draw – both look great, it’s simply a matter of preference and your home’s interior style.
Final Verdict: Which is Better?
It really depends on your preferences and needs:
- If you're looking for eco-friendliness, ease of use, and lower installation and running costs, an electric fireplace is the clear winner.
- If you’re after authentic ambiance, strong heat output, and a more traditional style, a log burner may be more suited to your home.
Each option has its strengths and is ideal for different types of homes and lifestyles, so choose the one that best fits your needs.
