Electric Fireplaces — The Ultimate Guide

All you need to know about electric fireplaces in one place.

11 min readApr 19, 2017

Electric fireplaces are a great alternative to traditional wood or gas fireplaces. They don’t require any maintenance, wood chopping, chimney cleaning or expensive installation. Electric fireplaces are affordable, clean, safe and easy to install without any special permits. These fireplaces are the future!

What is an Electric Fireplace?

An electric fireplace is an electric heater that mimics a fireplace burning coal, wood, or natural gas. Electric fireplaces are often placed in conventional fireplaces, which can then no longer be used for conventional fires. They plug into the wall, and can run on a “flame only” setting, or can be used as a heater, typically consuming 1.4–1.6 kW, that can heat a 400 sq ft (37 m2) room. (Wikipedia)

Do you need to Vent an Electric Fireplace?

No, electric fireplaces don’t need any vent, chimney or flue.

Since electric fireplaces don’t create any real fire or smoke there is no need for venting. This reduces the cost of installation dramatically.

If you care about the air quality in your home, an electric fireplace should be your choice over any other type of fireplace.

Low cost of installation and lack of pollution are the two main reasons electric fireplaces are gaining popularity.

Is the Flame real?

No, the flame is not real, it is created by LED lights, but it looks incredibly realistic.

The flame in electric fireplaces is created by LED lights and a mirror element that rolls and reflects the light. With modern technology, the flame looks very realistic. Long-lasting LED lights consume little energy and don’t need to be replaced with a serving time of 50,000 hours.

Watch This Video of Realistic Electric Fireplace Flames:

For those who are looking for a more contemporary look, there are fireplaces that can change the flame color to match your decor, mood or season.

Click here to see our collection of Multicolor Flame Electric Fireplaces

Watch This Video of Electric Fireplace With Changing Flame Color:

Multicolor flame fireplaces have a very modern look and definitely become a centerpiece in any contemporary decor. Changing flame color is one of the newest features introduced by the leading manufacturers of electric fireplaces. The color of flames can be changed with a click of a button on the remote control or the fireplace itself. The colors range from traditional orange to a modern blue, purple or pink.

Do Electric Fireplaces produce Heat?

The short answer is yes, electric fireplaces produce heat. However, there are variations.

The majority of the electric fireplaces have on demand heat, meaning that the flames can be operated with or without the heat. The option of having flames without the heat makes electric fireplaces a perfect alternative to traditional fireplaces during warmer seasons or in warmer climates. You can enjoy the ambiance of a fireplace year around without feeling uncomfortably warm.

Most of the electric fireplaces with on-demand heat have several heat settings, such as high, medium or low. Some electric fireplaces have built-in thermostats that will maintain a set temperature in the room.

There are a few electric fireplaces that don’t have heaters at all. If you are only looking for an ambiance of a fire and don’t care about heat, you can save a few bucks by choosing an electric fireplace without a heater.

Click here to see our collection of No Heat Electric Fireplaces

How much Space do Electric Fireplaces heat?

Depending on the type of the heater, electric fireplaces can heat from 400 sq.ft to 1000 sq.ft.

Regardless of the type of the heater, electric fireplaces are great for zone heating and can help you save on your heating bill. For example, with an electric fireplace, your can raise the temperature just in your living room or your bedroom without increasing the temperature in the entire house.

Strategically placed, an electric fireplace will keep you warm and cozy while keeping your heating bill low.

Types of Electric Fireplace Heaters

There are 2 main types of electric heaters used in electric fireplace manufacturing. The most popular one is the fan-forced coil heater. And a more energy efficient but least popular Quartz Infrared heater. There are also new heating technologies developed and patented by individual brands that always keep coming up, for example, Comfort$aver™ Heating System by Dimplex.

1. Fan-forced Coil Heaters

Electric fireplaces with fan-forced coil heaters can provide supplemental heat for a 400–500 sq.ft. room. This is the majority of electric fireplaces. Here is how these heaters work — a silent fan blows air over the heated coils and the heated air comes out of a vent that can be located at the top, bottom, or front of the fireplace.

Click here to see our collection of Electric Fireplaces with Forced Fan Coil Heaters

Depending on where you want to install your fireplace, the location of the vent might make a difference because it needs to be at least 3 feet away from the combustible materials, like curtains, carpet, or furniture.

Can You Install an Electric Fireplace Under a TV?
Generally, all electric fireplaces are safe to install under TV if the distance is at least 12 inches between the top of the fireplace and the bottom of TV.
However, it is best to select a fireplace with a bottom or front heat if you are planning on installing it under a TV or electronics.
To simplify your search, we created a collection of fireplaces that are safe to install under a TV.
Click here to see our collection of Fireplaces to Install Under a TV

2. Quartz Infrared Heaters

Electric fireplaces with Quartz Infrared heaters can provide supplemental heat up to a 1,000 square foot room which is double the coverage compared to electric fireplaces with fan-forced coil heaters which are able to heat 400–500 sq.ft. rooms.

Infrared heat is delivered through invisible rays that warm the objects they touch rather than surrounding air. Infrared heat is a warmer, more natural feeling heat than the one produced by a fan-forced heater.

Plus, Infrared heaters are more energy efficient with a cost of operation at just 12¢ to 14¢ per hour.

Click here to see our collection of Electric Fireplaces With Infrared Heaters

Are Electric Fireplaces Safe?

Electric fireplaces don’t actually produce any heat and stay cool to the touch even when the heater is in use. Only the area around the heating vent gets a little warmer. This makes them the safest fireplaces on the market.

An electric fireplace is your perfect solution if you have pets or small children!

Features of Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces have many additional features besides flames and heat. Every year there is something new coming out. Here are the basic ones:

Remote control for easy flame operation and heat control
Touch screen panel on the fireplace for all the control functions that lights up when touched and disappears after a few seconds
Sleep timer for heat and flames
Multicolor backlights — mostly on wall mounted fireplaces — that create additional ambiance in the room (Click here to see all Electric Fireplaces With Backlight)
NIGHT LIGHT™ settings in multiple colors (white, blue, orange and circulating)
One of the newest features is Bluetooth Audio Speaker!

What Types of Electric Fireplaces are Available?

There are 5 types of electric fireplaces based on the installation type:

1. Wall Mounted Electric Fireplaces

Wall mounted electric fireplaces are great for apartments because they don’t require any permanent installation and you can take them with you when you move.

Wall mounted electric fireplaces can be hung directly on a wall, just lie a picture or a flat screen TV. Mounting brackets and all the hardware comes with the fireplace. All you need is a level, a screwdriver and a second pair of hands if the fireplace is on the bigger side.

Click here to learn How to Install a Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace

The installation can be done yourself, no special skills needed — simply follow instructions in the manual, hang your fireplace on the wall, plug it into a standard outlet and you are done!

Click here to see our collection of Wall Mounted Electric Fireplaces

2. Built-in Electric Fireplaces

Built-in electric fireplaces have a more finished look because they don’t stick out of the wall. There are lots of frameless linear options — this is a very popular look. Frameless linear electric fireplaces are a beautiful alternative to linear gas fireplaces.

Click here to see our collection of Frameless Built-in Electric Fireplace

Installing a built-in fireplace is a little more complex than wall mounted fireplace. You will need to build a niche where you would insert your fireplace unit. You will need to have some carpentry skills for that if you want to do it yourself. We always recommend hiring a professional to help you install a built-in fireplace, especially if you are going to hardwire it in.

Click here to read the article How to Install a Recessed Electric Fireplace

Click here to see our collection of Built-in Electric Fireplaces

3-Sided Electric Fireplaces

A special category of built-in fireplaces that was introduced by Amantii in the end of 2016 is 3-Sided Electric Fireplaces. These are beautiful modern electric fireplaces with multicolor flames and the ability to view the flames from all three sides. Different installation options allow you to make them two-sided by choosing only one of the sides to be exposed. Or you can completely recess them into the wall.

Click here to see our collection of 3-Sided Built-in Electric Fireplaces

3. Electric Fireplace Inserts

Electric fireplace inserts are used to convert your existing wood or gas fireplace into an electric fireplace. A lot of homeowners have old masonry fireplaces which they haven’t used for years because of all the mess involved.

There are two types of electric inserts:

Firebox Inserts
Electric Logs Inserts

Firebox Inserts

Firebox inserts look just like a built-in fireplace. All you need to do is to find the right size, insert the firebox inside your existing fireplace, plug it in and enjoy.

Click here to learn How to Install an Electric Fireplace Insert

Electric Log Inserts

Electric log inserts look like a grate with logs and they have built in lights that create a flame like effect on the walls of your existing fireplace. Log inserts have a built in heater and come with an included remote allowing you to control the flame height, intensity, heat and even the ember bed lighting.

Click here to see our collection of Electric Fireplace Inserts

4. Free Standing Electric Fireplaces

Free standing electric fireplaces are available as media cabinets or stand-alone units.

Media cabinets are basically TV stands with built-in electric fireplaces. The are a perfect solution for apartments because they are movable, serve a double function, save space, and provide supplemental heat.

Stand alone units have all the same features as wall mounted electric fireplaces, only instead of hanging them on the wall, you place them on an included pedestal.

Click here to see all our Free Standing Electric Fireplaces

5. Electric Fireplaces With Mantels

Electric fireplaces with mantels are extremely easy to set up! No remodeling required. Simply put the mantel together, insert the fireplaces, and plug it into a standard outlet.

Mantels come in several different colors and some of them even serve as media cabinets with built in storage and wire management systems.

Click here to see all our Electric Fireplaces with Mantels

What are the Benefits of an Electric Fireplace?

1. Low Cost

Electric fireplaces are more affordable to buy and install than any other kind of fireplaces.

Click here to read the article Are Electric Fireplaces Worth the Money?

2. Easy Installation

Electric fireplaces are easy to install. A lot of them are ready to go right out of the box, just plug them in!

3. No Mess

Electric fireplaces create an ambiance of a fireplace without any mess that comes with a traditional wood fireplace.

4. Clean Air

Electric fireplaces don’t pollute the air inside your home since there is no actual burning. This is a very big benefit, especially for people with asthma, other breathing problems, or just conscious about their health.

5. Zone Heating

Electric fireplaces are great sources of supplemental heat. They are 99% efficient meaning that there is no loss of energy all of it gets converted into heat. Electric fireplaces can be placed in any room to add some warmth just there thus helping you save on your heating bill.

6. Safe for Children and Pets

Electric fireplaces stay cool to the touch which makes them safe to have around small children and pets.

How to Choose an Electric Fireplace?

Electric fireplaces make a great addition to the living room, dining room, bedroom, den, and office as a supplemental heat source.

When choosing your Electric Fireplace ask yourself:

- Do you need a heat? If yes, then what size of the space do I need to heat? Fan-forced coil fireplaces are best for areas around 400–500 square feet, while infrared quartz fireplaces are best suited for rooms around 1,000 square feet.

- What kind of installation will fit my project best? Do I just want something easy and portable or a more permanent solution?

- What style am I looking for? Do I want a frame or a frameless design? Do I want a regular flame or a multicolor flame?

- How much room do I have? What size would be best for me?

- And last but not least — What is my budget?

Thinking about these questions will help you get on the right track to finding your perfect electric fireplace.

Click here for more information on How to Choose the Best Electric Fireplace

Click here to see The Best Electric Fireplaces of 2017

We hope you found this article helpful. Feel free to shoot us an email with any questions: contact@modernblaze.com.

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