Electric Fireplace Basics

More than a century after the first electric fireplace was built in 1912, these economical, low-maintenance hearth solutions are as popular as ever. As of January 2020, the North American electric fireplace market was about $900 million, with approximately 2 million electric fireplaces shipped. Sales of electric fireplaces are the single largest hearth product, more than double the total number of all wood, gas, pellet stoves and other fireplace sales in the continent.

Why Electric Fireplaces Are a Great Option

So, why are electric fireplaces so sought after?

A large part of the appeal, says Joe Kuefler, brand director for SimpliFire electric fireplaces, is that they are extremely simple to install and easy to use.

“Ultimately, electric fireplaces are an attractive solution for folks because you don't have to have gas lines, you don't have to have venting and they don't take up as big a footprint from a construction standpoint,” Kuefler says.

Like a gas fireplace, an electric model is turned on and off with the touch of a button. “The whole idea behind it is that I can sit down in my chair and turn this thing on with a remote control—it’s like a TV— and begin enjoying it without any fuss or muss around the electric fireplace,” explains Tony Leggett, vice president of Fireplace Professionals, Inc. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “And the same when it’s time to finish your fire—it’s just a matter of shutting it off with the remote control.”

Another factor, Kuefler notes, is that the look of electric fireplaces became more authentic beginning in the mid-1990s, and improved significantly in the late 2000s. One reason for that was the switch from halogen-type bulbs to brighter LED versions. “There’s just a much better experience with [LED] and the flexibility of what you can do with them,” says Kuefler.

Does an Electric Fireplace Look Authentic?

For those looking for the standard old-school masonry fireplace style, most electric fireplace, won’t fit the bill. (However, a built-in electric fireplace can feature a masonry-style interior.) By nature of the way they function—hidden coils create warmth while LED lights create the illusion of a flame—they are not very “real” in a traditional sense.

Right around the same time LED bulbs became more popular, says Kuefler, aesthetic trends began to shift. As homeowners sought out more streamlined linear fireplace models, electric hearths were better able to reflect the more contemporary look that was becoming popular, more so than they were able to reflect a traditional aesthetic.

“When linear became more popular, then linear electric fireplaces started showing up,” Kuefler explains. “And when you get to that linear format, people care less that it looks like a real wood fire. They want it to look nice.”

Kuefler hypothesizes that while people who were set on having a traditional-looking masonry fireplace in their home were limited to wood-burning (or potentially gas) hearths because of that preference, those seeking a sleeker look could open up their search to a variety of nontraditional aesthetics, including gas and electric models.

“Around 2009 or 2010, linear fireplaces became more of a trend,” Kuefler explains. “When you have a traditional-looking fireplace and your normal aspect ratio in your mantle around it, you would want it to look real, and you're always comparing it to the ‘real thing.’ That's your benchmark. With a linear fireplace—even gas, even when it's the real flame—it doesn't look like [a fire] that you could actually build yourself. It's a little more abstract. It's all about the ambiance.”

Like wood-burning and gas fireplaces, electric hearths often feature appearance-enhancing options and decorative items such as trim and upgrade kits for the fireside experience you want.

How Do Electric Fireplaces Work?

Electric fireplaces supply light and heat just like a gas- or wood-fueled fireplace, however, they are unique in that that glow and warmth is created without an actual flame.

How Electric Fireplaces Are Lit

Almost all electric fireplaces on the market essentially do the same thing, according to Kuefler: “There are LED lights in the back of the unit that are shining through. Then there's a rotisserie-like rod with spindles that spins and has all these reflective [materials]. As it spins, then those spindles reflect the light a bunch of different ways.”

That light then passes through either a plastic or metal piece that has flame-shaped cutouts to create the illusion of a fire. “So the light is shining through, getting reflected different ways from those spindles going through this template, and then is projecting on a flame screen,” Kuefler explains.

“Generally speaking, an electric fireplace is a light show. It’s usually rear-projected onto a see-through screen,” says Tony Leggett, VP of Fireplace Professionals, Inc. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “Done properly, [it can look so realistic that] it can actually cause customers to wonder whether or not they can be burned by the lights—but they are just lights.”

Do Electric Fireplaces Generate Heat?

Leggett explains that the heat in an electric fireplace—about 5,000 BTU per hour, on par with a standard space heater—is generated from an auxiliary heater that is built into a separate area in the appliance that isn’t accessible to touch.

Since an electric fireplace relies on electrical outlets, “There’s only so much energy you can get from a 120-volt outlet,” Kuefler says. Some electric models can be hardwired for 240 volts. “You have to hardwire it to do so, but you're getting twice as much energy and twice as much heat out of it,” Kuefler explains. “So you can actually get 10,000 BTU out of a unit on 240 volt power versus 5,000 BTU from units running on 120 volt..

While they do generate heat, electric fireplaces are better suited to supplemental heat, not a main heat source, and are great for zone heating in your home.

Types of Electric Hearth Products

It can be confusing to navigate all the styles and types of electric hearth products, and differing terminology among manufacturers and retailers can add to the confusion. Further complicating matters is that fireplace models, such as the Allusion, can be mounted several different ways, while others may only have one installation option.

With the exception of electric log sets (which are standalone units) most electric hearth products—much like gas fireplaces—include customizable options such as a hand-painted ceramic log set, ember bed media and colored flame.

Generally speaking, electric hearth products fit into these categories:

• Built-in electric fireplace: A fireplace that is completely finished into a wall. While some in the hearth industry refer to any recessed fireplace as a “built-in,” a true built-in fireplace cannot be removed without taking some of the wall down. Homeowners can choose to finish the hearth with surrounds and/or a mantel to make it look even more built-in. It will be hardwired to electric through the back of the unit.
• Recessed electric fireplace: A fireplace that is slid into a wall, either fully or partially recessed, after the wall is finished. It can be removed and relocated if desired by detaching it from the studs (but will require some patching on the wall that it is removed from). Either type will typically be hardwired through the back of the unit.
• Partially recessed: This type of fireplace is typically mounted into a 2 x 4 framed wall. Since the fireplace is slightly deeper than 4 inches, it will protrude a couple inches into the room.
• Fully recessed: A fireplace that is recessed flush in the wall for the cleanest possible appearance with no protrusion.
• Wall-mounted electric fireplace: A fireplace that is mounted to a fully finished wall much like a television would be, rather than slid into the wall. The wall behind the unit is left intact and the fireplace is plugged into a nearby outlet.
• Electric fireplace insert: These removable units are designed to convert existing wood-burning fireplaces into electric hearths. The electric insert slides right into the existing fireplace; a low-profile surround is used to cover any gaps between the fireplace insert and the existing fireplace. An insert often includes the components described above, such as a log set or ember bed media. It also can be hardwired through the back of the unit or plugged into a nearby outlet in the front.
• Electric log set: An arrangement of pre-fabricated "logs" that simply set inside an existing wood-burning fireplace, plug into an outlet and provide glow and a flame effect.

Key Benefits of Electric Fireplaces

Some of the most appealing benefits of electric fireplaces are what’s not required to have one. Since there is no need for a chimney, gas line, venting, costly maintenance or remodeling, they are quite versatile and can go just about anywhere in a home where there’s electricity available.

Another advantage, says Kuefler, is that an electric fireplace won’t take up a lot of floor space. Whereas a gas hearth can protrude about two feet into a room, an electric model will protrude a few inches at most, even if it’s mounted on the wall.

They’re also affordable. Even a high-end electric fireplace model such as the Scion starts at just over $1,600, with LED multicolored firebed lighting and other add-on options to update your living room, bedroom, home office or gathering space. Budget-friendly electric fireplaces such as a wall-mount style start closer to $500, making an electric fireplace a cost-effective way to upgrade just about any room in your home with little effort and virtually no maintenance. There are electric fireplace options for just about any budget, décor style, or home style, size or layout.

Are Electric Fireplaces Safe?

Electric fireplaces are, simply put, just as safe as any other large electric appliance. As long as it is installed and used correctly, risk of damage or injury is low.

From a safety perspective, “The ‘fire’ itself—the heat coming out of the unit—would be the only thing I've ever had anybody concerned about,” Leggett notes. But since there is no actual flame to worry about, those concerns are typically very quickly eased.

He adds that public buildings or community spaces (for example, assisted living centers) may have concerns over the surface temperature and accessibility of the heater coils. However, in most units, “the coils are situated so far back inside the fireplace that they are virtually inaccessible. No one could put their fingers back in there, not even a baby.”

Electric fireplaces have a safety advantage in that there is no actual flame, which makes them a safety-conscious choice for multifamily homes, homes with kids and commercial spaces alike. “For hospitality areas, hospitals, nursing homes or places where safety is a major concern, they want that gathering space but they don't want the safety risk that comes with a real flame,” Kuefler explains.

With electric fireplaces, “You don't have to worry about people getting burned,” he adds. Of course the unit does get hot so, as a precaution, no one should touch the unit when the heater is on. But it likely won’t ever get hot enough to cause injury.

Kuefler adds that, unlike gas hearths, which require venting and often heat management solutions to ensure proper heat dispersal in contemporary mantel-less linear models, electric fireplaces won’t heat walls significantly.

“You don’t have to worry about wall temperatures from a safety standpoint,” he says. “You can put a TV above an electric fireplace, no problem.” And without the need for a chimney, the maintenance and safety issues that come with it aren’t a problem, either.

What Types of Homes Are Right for An Electric Fireplace?

Electric fireplaces are incredibly versatile and can be installed in any home that has electricity—in fact, they can be installed in or on nearly any wall. Some home types lend themselves especially well to this technology.

• Townhomes, apartments, condos or other multifamily dwellings where there may be restrictions on fireplaces (or limited access to venting for a gas hearth)
• Anywhere where gas hookups are unavailable
• Areas that do not allow for venting, and where ventless gas fireplaces are not allowed
• Areas where gas or wood-burning fireplaces are heavily restricted or not preferred
• Smaller homes or rooms that only need supplemental heat
• Homes where the fireplace will mostly be used for ambiance, or will be used infrequently
• Homes that have a dated, drafty or unusable wood-burning fireplace that could be converted to electric with an insert
• Homes with existing wood-burning fireplace where the chimney is unsafe or unusable
• Home or public and community gathering spaces where a real flame is not desired

Installation and Efficiency

In addition to lower product price points, electric fireplaces are some of the easiest and most cost-effective to install, due to the fact that they don’t require venting, chimneys or heat management solutions. When used in combination with zone heating, they can also help save on heating costs.

Many people choose to DIY their electric fireplace installation, as it is a much simpler process than other types of fireplace installations. However, if you choose to hardwire an electric fireplace or insert, an electrician may be needed, which will add approximately $30 to $100 per hour, according to Costhelper.com. If you need an extra electrical outlet installed closer to where you want to place a wall-plugged fireplace, that will run somewhere in the $75 to $200 range.

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Electric Fireplace?

“Electric is a solution that is way more cost effective, because you don’t have to run a gas line to it and you don’t have to vent to exhaust it,” says Kuefler. “The cost and ease of doing electric is a lot lower than doing gas.”

A big factor in determining the cost to run an electric hearth is how you’ll use it: for lighting and ambiance, or for lighting and ambiance plus heat.

“If you're using the heat, that's where you're really using electricity,” Kuefler says. “The LED lights are so efficient that the electrical draw to just run it without the heat is negligible. You can run it 24/7 and you wouldn't notice a difference in your bill. But with the heater on, that definitely increases energy usage.”

According to energy innovation company Direct Energy, a 1,500-watt electric fireplace costs around 18 cents per hour with all settings at maximum. By using a lower heat setting, you can drop the cost per hour by several cents and by using only the LED display with no heat, the cost can drop to one cent per hour.

Typically, when using an electric fireplace as a heat source, homeowners tend to do so as supplemental heat. These units don’t output nearly as much heat as other types of hearth: 5,000 BTUs per hour (on par with a standard space heater), versus anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 for a gas or wood-burning fireplace.

Fireplaces can be used even more efficiently when zone heating is implemented. Another efficiency tool is a remote control, an accessory that comes with many electric fireplaces (and all SimpliFire fireplaces). Some remotes allow the user to adjust the fireplace's thermostat, lighting and have on/off control at the touch of a button.

How to Install an Electric Fireplace

Since they don’t require any venting, gas lines or screens, built-in, recessed and wall-mounted electric fireplaces are much simpler to install than gas or wood-burning fireplaces. Often a homeowner can do it themselves over a weekend, although some installations may require an electrician to complete the electric hookup.

“Any existing room where you'd want to add an electric fireplace, it's very easy to add one. It’s a lot easier to install [than gas]. You don't need the expert installation outside of an electrician,” Kuefler explains. “From an existing home remodel standpoint, it's just very easy to do, and you can almost put it anywhere where you want it.”

Thinking about how the product will be installed can help determine which type of electric fireplace is right for your room, says Kuefler. “When you’re trying to figure out what type of electric fireplace you want, it's maybe more about looking at how it installs,” he notes. “Is it recessed all the way in the wall? Is it going to hang on the wall? If it recesses in the wall, do you have a finished wall and [can] you just slide it in an opening, or are you putting it in rough framing and then finishing it into your wall, that sort of thing.”

Installing a Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace

Installing a wall-mounted electric fireplace doesn’t require any structural modifications. In fact, it’s similar to hanging a wall-mounted TV, shelving or large piece of artwork. You’ll need common household tools such as a level, stud finder and drill, and the fireplace will come with a wall mounting kit (including brackets and hardware) and detailed instructions.

Some things to keep in mind while installing a wall-mounted electric fireplace:

• Note which direction the heat will blow and make appropriate clearances for any flammable materials in the way such as wall decor, flooring and the fireplace’s own electrical cord.
• Wall-mounted electric fireplaces are heavy, so find studs or use wall anchors to ensure safe and sturdy hanging. (Consult your model’s directions or a dealer to confirm the best option for your fireplace).
• Check before installation that you have a three-spot (grounded) outlet well within reach of the fireplace’s cord. If only a two-spot outlet is available, you’ll need an adapter.
• While wall-mounted fireplaces can be relocated, put thought into where you’d like to place it to avoid unnecessary re-installation and patching.

Installing a Recessed Fireplace

Installing a recessed electric fireplace is somewhat more complex as it involves some basic framing and more in-depth electrical hookup, but it’s still simple enough to DIY with the help of some power tools. You may also need an electrician consult, depending on your comfort level with electrical work and whether you choose to hardwire the unit at the back.

“You basically just have to make sure that you have an opening that is the right size for the unit. And then it's really no different than installing an insert,” Kuefler explains. “You're sliding it in, you're making the electrical connection—whether it's a plugin or hardwiring.”

Kuefler says that one person can probably tackle the job, however it’s best to have another person on hand, especially for safety’s sake when lifting the unit into the opening.

“There are [fully recessed] linear options that you only need to frame 2x6—the studs basically. So you would do a bump-out into your room using 2x6 framing,” Kuefler explains. “You’re only coming six inches into your room. You’d finish it with whatever finish trims you want, whether that’s drywall or shiplap or stone or whatever. And then you can stick your fireplace in and all you need is electricity. It’s pretty easy to do in any space and you can get a flush, built-in look.”

“You're not taking up a lot of floor space, which, with a gas fireplace, you’re probably going two feet into your room if you're doing that,” he adds.

Some things to keep in mind while installing a recessed electric fireplace:

• Do you prefer your hearth be partially recessed or fully recessed? Some models, such as the Allusion Platinum, can be installed either way (or hung on the wall).
• How comfortable are you cutting 2x6s, framing and finishing the bump-out? If these tasks are outside your DIY comfort zone, call a professional installer or a handy friend to help you.
• How comfortable are you hardwiring the fireplace? You may need to hire an electrician to consult on this part of the installation.
• Do you plan to move the fireplace? While recessed fireplaces can be removed and relocated, this is a more involved process than removing and relocating a wall-mounted unit.

Installing a Built-In Electric Fireplace

Installing a built-in electric fireplace is similar in principle to installing a recessed unit, however in this case the unit is being finished into the wall. Whereas a recessed fireplace could be detached and removed with a few wall repairs involved, a built-in cannot be removed without removing some of the wall.

“These are going in rough framing, meaning you've framed an opening. It's just your studs—you're sticking it in and attaching it to your studs there. Then you're finishing the wall and it's actually getting finished into the wall. So you can't then pull it out unless you cut away part of your wall finishing.”

The benefit of this more permanent installation, Kuefler explains, is that it lends the room a cleaner look. “If it's a recess, you have some sort of trim ring—a big glass front that covers up the edges of your wall finishing or some other type of trim ring in there. So if you want no frame and the cleanest possible look, you're probably going more to a built-in type situation.”

While installing any kind of electric fireplace is a straightforward process, if you would feel better having the experts do it, contact a hearth expert to learn more about installation options.

Leggett says that most of his customers opt to do electric fireplace installation themselves, or have a trusted contractor complete it for them. The process is “pretty cut and dry,” he explains. “Many models that people choose are hung on the wall and can be plugged in…. But some people come to us [for installation] because they feel that we'll know the ins and outs of that part of it and make sure that the way that it's installed is safe. [They’ll] know that it’s done properly and that it will be safe to operate.”

Converting a Wood-Burning or Gas Fireplace to Electric

In addition to installing a standalone electric fireplace almost anywhere in a home, you can also convert an existing fireplace to electric. This is an especially convenient option for anyone who has a drafty, outdated wood-burning fireplace that they don’t want to repair, remove, replace or convert to gas. Or those who want a temporary fix to get a working fireplace while they explore options for replacing or repairing their wood-burning model.

The easiest way to complete this conversion is to install either an electric log set or an electric fireplace insert. Both are super-simple solutions with not much labor involved, and the only requirement is that you have an electric outlet nearby. In fact, you’ll likely be able to begin using an insert or log set immediately after plugging it in.

Electric Fireplace Inserts vs. Electric Fireplace Log Sets

Electric fireplace inserts and log sets have a lot in common, but there are some considerations to take into account before you decide which one to use.

Both options function similarly to an electric fireplace: An in-unit heater creates about 5,000 BTUs of warmth. A fan pushes the warm air out into your space. The “flame” comes from an ambient LED light that projects onto the back wall of your fireplace or an included back panel.

The difference is that a log set consists of a bundle of hand-painted ceramic “logs” (often attached to a metal grate) that is simply set into the empty wood-burning fireplace and plugged into the nearest outlet. An insert, however, is a self-contained unit: A steel box with a matching surround that is measured to slide into the hearth and designed to give the illusion of a new fireplace. An insert is either plugged into an outlet like a log set, or hardwired to electric through the back of the unit.

Big-box retailers tend to sell electric fireplace log sets for under $200, while the price point for an electric fireplace insert can be closer to $1,000. While both styles are low-maintenance, easy-to-use ways to convert an old or nonfunctioning hearth, an insert gives more options, a modern-looking surround and comes much closer to looking like a “real” fireplace.

“There have been plenty of successful electric log installations [where] people with old wood-burning fireplaces that were black on the inside, we were able to make the fireplace a more usable feature of the room by setting an electric log inside there,” says Leggett.

However, an insert allows you to update the look of your hearth in addition to the functionality. “An electric insert might lend itself well for a new finish work to be put around it, whether that be wood, stone or something or wherever they might want to do, an insert would work really well.”

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