It is spring and the long cold winter is approaching. Have you been thinking of installing an electric fireplace in your house? You could have read a lot of magazines on the best electric magazines to install. One concern could be about your health. Does the electric fireplace have any effect on your health? Does it cause cancer? Let us find out in the article below.
For an electric fireplace, no smoke is produced. On the other hand, wood-burning fireplaces produce cancer-causing agents like smoke. Such is detrimental to your health and the general being of the house. With an electric fireplace, you are sure of the best health for your pets and family members. The LED technology in electric fireplaces reduces the emission of greenhouse gases.
So, you never have to worry about an electric fireplace causing cancer. It would be a great source of keeping you warm without necessarily worrying about your health.
Can You Sleep While the Electric Fireplace is Still On?
The best thing is to always turn off the electric fireplace when you leave the room or go to sleep. Yes, an electric fireplace will not produce carbon monoxide. However, there are risks of overheating or fire occurring. So, do not touch the coils of the electric fireplace. You should also never sleep near an electric fireplace.
On the best part, you can leave the electric fireplace to run overnight. Turning it off will help you avoid risks related to fire. You will also save on a lot of electricity costs. They will typically use 1500 watts of electricity to run. You will use approximately 3 cents per hour if you put it on for decorative purposes only.
Can Indoor Fireplaces Affect Your Health?
Yes, you would like to spend your day indoors because it is winter. However, do not get too comfortable with the fireplace in your house. You have to practice safety measures so that you do not risk your life and your family’s. Here are hazardous health concerns of indoor fireplaces and how to deal with them.
- Dangerous Chemicals Are Released by Indoor Fireplaces
The four most common types of fireplaces in homes include; gas, wood-burning, ethanol, and electricity. A wood-burning fireplace is the most notorious for releasing toxins. The other types pose their risks too. So, you have to be careful with them too.
Wood burns to release a mixture of fine particles and harmful gases. Smoke is the major pollutant and includes; formaldehyde, acrolein, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and benzene. This is stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. The smoke can trigger lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Synthetic log burning has been associated with breast cancer.
- High Chances of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Gas and wood-burning fireplaces can release large amounts of carbon monoxide into your house. The gas is produced when the following fuels are burnt; gasoline, oil, natural gas, wood, kerosene, or charcoal. This is according to the American Lung Association. Carbon monoxide can accumulate to high levels without being noticed. This is because it is odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
The effects of carbon monoxide include limiting the amount of oxygen in your body. Small amounts of carbon monoxide can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion. Larger amounts of carbon monoxide can make you lose consciousness and even die. So, you must often check the fireplace and vent it properly.
- Triggering of Respiratory Conditions
Health problems can be triggered because of the particles emitted from the fireplace. This is common with wood-burning fireplaces. The smoke from the fireplace contains small particles that can easily get into your respiratory system or the eye. You may experience a runny nose, burning eyes, or bronchitis as a result.
If the tiny particles get to your lungs or bloodstream, they can activate existing conditions like asthma. Even the healthiest of people can get temporarily ill. Other health concerns that can be triggered include; stroke, heart attacks, and irregular heart rhythms. The most vulnerable are the old and those with lung and heart issues.
Conclusion
Electric fireplaces are safer compared to other types of fireplaces available. This is why they are very popular thus you can enjoy a warm house during winter. The toxic gases produced by the other types of fireplaces can cause a lot of harm to your health. However, you should note that electric fireplaces are not 100% safe. You should therefore take the necessary precautions when using them.
