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Have been seeing this advertised in national auto magazine and wonder if anyone has bought this fireplace? It is advertised for $290. It advertises as being a good heat source, no smoke, chimney. Just plug into regular 110 outlet. Oak cabinet with heat surge fireless flame...Says only 9 cents per hour to run... It advertises having an authentic flame and easily moves from room to room on wheels. If you have this one or any other units like these, how are they? Worth the money? What brand and where do you buy them? How much? Thanks for your input.
I laugh every time I see the infomercial for these things. I find it ironic that the Amish, who are against electricity and modern conveniences are manufacturing a product that runs on .... electricity! Furthermore, when they show the factory where the Amish are allegedly creating these works of art, they are in a modern factory with electric lighting and operating tools that run on electricity! I guess the Amish are getting out of the puppy mill business and into the electric fireplace business, but why??? Sorry, but I just find the whole thing to be completely ludicrous!
Have been seeing this advertised in national auto magazine and wonder if anyone has bought this fireplace? It is advertised for $290. It advertises as being a good heat source, no smoke, chimney. Just plug into regular 110 outlet. Oak cabinet with heat surge fireless flame...Says only 9 cents per hour to run... It advertises having an authentic flame and easily moves from room to room on wheels. If you have this one or any other units like these, how are they? Worth the money? What brand and where do you buy them? How much? Thanks for your input.
Well, I was going to buy several of them (Heat Surge brand) through a major home shopping channel (HSN.com), but changed my mind after I read many reviews online from other sources, not just reviews on the home shopping channel (which are mixed as well).
From my understanding, the actual heater component is made in China (nothing new there, that's not my gripe) and puts out as much heat as a standard heater that you can buy at the store or online for $30-$50. The Amish workers (I would say that they're Mennonite NOT Amish - which is no difference as it pertains to workmanship, just pointing that out) assemble the wood casing, which I read is nice.
There were some good reviews, but I think that the negative reviews overshadowed the positive ones. A problem is that heaters, in general, go bad after a few years depending on how much you use them and once that part is gone, the most beautiful outside wood casing doesn't mean a thing, and that to me was the deciding factor.
Also, the amount of heat it puts out is the same as a small heater, again $30-$50 at any store.
However, if you like the look of a fireplace vs. a small stand-alone heater, and you do get "flames" with it (as you mentioned), then I guess it's worth a looksie. If I didn't already have a fireplace, then I would look at it a bit closer. I noticed that there's also a hearth and mirror that can be purchased for the unit as well as corner bookcase type frame that can hold the Heat Surge unit.
You know, life is short, everyone puts different value on things. Someone can look at an item and say it's "junk" and someone else might love the same item. For me, I don't think the product is "bad", but I'm looking more for function (heat), than looks (plus, we already have a fireplace).
The home shopping channel that I was watching offered the Heat Surge brand for $399 with free shipping and handling.
Yes, it looked nice, but I noticed that the whole presentation was built around the "Amish imagery" and the craftsmanship of the cabinet, etc. and VERY LITTLE was said about the actual heating. Perhaps "heat" is not the most important element, and that's okay too. For me, paying $399 to have an electric fireplace (which is really a glorified $30-$50 heater unit) that was going to go bad in one to two years was not worth it. But seriously, to each his/her own. Have a good day.
Costco has fine heaters that look like woodstoves, have fake flame, and put out heat with a fan also. They work great, even in snow country, and are less than $200.00
Well, yes, any heater you plug into the wall is a space heater, you won't heat your house, the fake fireplace heater goes great in a bedroom, very romantic.
I find that the "Hot Hands" products actually work really well. I got them at Walmart for like 50 cents a package.
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Furthermore, when they show the factory where the Amish are allegedly creating these works of art, they are in a modern factory with electric lighting and operating tools that run on electricity! 
I guess the Amish are getting out of the puppy mill business and into the electric fireplace business, but why??? 
Sorry, but I just find the whole thing to be completely ludicrous! 
