Electric Fireplace Installation: What You Need to Know

Electric fireplaces are the easiest heating appliance to install, which is exactly why they have become so popular in bedrooms, basements and remodels. Still, a little planning makes the difference between a unit that looks built-in and one that looks tacked on.

Wall-mount

The fireplace hangs on a bracket like a TV. Locate studs, mount the bracket level, hang the unit and plug it in. Most wall-mount models can also be recessed later if you decide to open the wall.

Recessed

Recessed installation sets the unit into a framed opening so only the glass face shows. You will need a rough opening matching the manufacturer’s dimensions, usually a few inches larger than the unit, and a nearby outlet inside the wall cavity. Linear fireplaces from 36 to 100 inches wide are available for this style.

Built-in with a TV above

Many linear electric fireplaces can be installed below a television. Check the spec sheet for the minimum distance to a TV; models with a front or top heat outlet have different requirements. Units that vent heat out the front are the safest choice under a screen.

The electrical detail that matters

A standard electric fireplace draws up to 1,500 watts on a 120-volt circuit. Plug it into a dedicated 15-amp outlet where possible and avoid extension cords. Some larger models offer a 240-volt option that doubles the heat output; those require a hard-wired circuit installed by an electrician.

What you do not need

• No gas line, chimney or venting.
• No clearance to combustibles beyond the unit’s own listed distances.
• No building permit in most jurisdictions for plug-in units, though hard-wired 240-volt installs may require an electrical permit.

Browse our electric fireplaces or ask us which model fits your wall width.