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Heating your home is an age-old problem. Electric fireplaces are the modern solution. But just because they’re modern doesn’t make them easy to understand.
That’s where our experts come in!
Our industry professionals have answered your frequently asked questions about electric fireplaces. Check out the list below to get the help you’re looking for.
FAQs
How Do Electric Fireplaces Heat a Room?
Electric fireplaces provide supplemental heat to an already heated room through "zone heating." This special process allows you to keep your main thermostat at a much lower temperature while the electric fireplace heats the rooms you use the most, saving energy while cutting back on your heating costs.
What’s the Difference Between Infrared and Standard Fireplaces?
Infrared heating—sometimes referred to as "radiant heat"—is a unique method of heating the entirety of a room at once by transferring heat directly to objects in the room. This method is similar to how the sun warms objects.
Infrared differs from "fan-forced" heating, which is a single-direction heating method where the heat originates exclusively from the fan forcing hot air out.
Do Electric Fireplaces Include a Thermostat?
Most electric fireplaces have built-in thermostats. Others have a programmable digital thermostat allowing you to set it to the desired temperature. These fireplaces cycle on/off to maintain the desired temperature. More basic units simply have on/off heat or high/low heat.
How Do I Connect an Electric Fireplace to My Home’s Thermostat?
Do not connect an electric fireplace to your home thermostat. Electric fireplaces provide supplemental heating only and are not used as a primary heat source.
Where Do I Find the Measurement Specifics for Installation?
The dimensions provided on the product page on the website are the widest point of the unit. Most products have diagrams showing the dimensions under the product specs section of the product page. Many will list the viewing area as well. The viewing area is the area in which you can see the electric fireplace flames.
Manufacturers vary in how they provide measurement information. That’s why it’s important to review the installation instructions in the manual before purchasing. The manual provides the necessary dimensions for installation, and that could differ from the overall dimensions.
How Do I Know If an Electric Fireplace Is Suitable for the Outdoors?
Only fireplaces rated for outdoor use can be used outside. Outdoor fireplaces are built to withstand the weather and elements year-round, giving you plenty of outdoor ambiance.
How Long is the Electrical Cord?
The cord is approximately 6ft long on most electric fireplace units. It’s generally located on the back right or right side facing the fireplace.
Can I Mount a TV Above an Electric Fireplace or on a Fireplace Console?
Yes, a TV can be mounted above a fireplace. In most cases, clearance isn’t needed, but we recommend 8-12 inches.
Always review the installation instructions in the manual before purchasing. The instructions will list any clearance that’s needed for your fireplace model. Some manufacturers will also list an optimal viewing height for the fireplace.
Additionally, the width of the TV should not extend the width of the console. The product description—located on the product page on the website — lists the size of the TV recommended by the manufacturer. The weight of the flat-screen TV is not a factor.
Can I Mount a TV on Top of a Mantel?
The manufacturer doesn’t recommend mounting TVs on top of mantel packages. A TV stand fireplace unit is recommended.
Will I Need to Assemble My Unit?
Most units aren’t assembled. Instead, they’re boxed directly from the manufacturer. Assume that your unit isn’t assembled unless notated as ”assembled” on the product page.
Where is the Heating Vent Located on an Electric Fireplace?
Electric fireplaces have varying placement of the heater vents. The most common placement is top front, but manufacturers are getting more innovative in “hiding” the heat vent for a sleeker look.
When in doubt, refer to the product specs information section on the product page on the website where the “heat location” is listed.
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