We have a very nice fireplace in our living room, but we found we were not using it, mainly because chopping wood was not high on our agendas. This unit gives the cozy look of a real fireplace, it has fooled a few people who have stood in front of it to warm their hands when the heat was not turned on, so it fooled them. It is an easy way to provide supplementary heat without installing a gas fireplace. Love it! Thank you, Sheila, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada