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Energy Use: How Many Amps Does an Electric Fireplace Use?

December 12, 2021

Questions & Answers

As more people attempt to go green with their homes, it’s caused efficient fireplaces to increase in popularity and increase in sales compared to other types of fireplaces available on the market. Electric fireplaces are also known to have more versatility with the features they now include as they continue to become more advanced over time. Understanding how many amps are included in the feature will allow you to get an idea of how much energy it’ll use in the colder seasons.

In this post, you’ll learn:

How Many Amps Does an Electric Fireplace Use?
How to Install an Electric Fireplace
Shopping for the Best Electric Fireplace
Reasons to Use an Electric Fireplace
Do Electric Fireplaces Save Money?
Decorating an Electric Fireplace
Where’s the Best Place to Install an Electric Fireplace?

How Many Amps Does an Electric Fireplace Use?

You may be asking, “How many amps does an electric fireplace use?” when you’re ready to purchase a new fireplace and want to learn about its fireplace draw. With a 1,500 watt heater, most electric fireplaces have 13 amps and can be plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, also known as a 15-amp circuit, without needing a dedicated circuit, according to findanyanswer.com. The number of amps a fireplace draws with the blower determines how much energy it uses. Each fireplace model varies with its amp draw and has a different capacity as the blower operates. Understanding the amperage is necessary to ensure it can operate well without the risk of overheating or electrical issues. You can also check if you have a 20-amp circuit to determine if the outlet can take on more power as you run multiple electronic features. Electric fireplaces evenly distribute heat in small and large rooms without losing any heat through venting or a chimney, compared to a wood-burning fireplace. Although they’re not designed to act as the main heat source in the building, they work well for supplementing the main heater and can offer additional energy savings. The number of amps they pack also allows them to heat different sizes of rooms more effectively than a space heater or wood-burning fireplace. You also don’t have to keep a window open for proper ventilation to ensure the room stays warm and cozy. Not only do the fireplaces release a lot of heat the moment you turn them on, but the exterior materials don’t get hot to the touch, which means you don’t have to worry about getting burned as the feature is in use for several hours at a time. The glass panels stay cool because real flames aren’t used, which keeps pets and children safe and doesn’t lead to injuries if they get too close to the fireplace. This can also allow you to place other items close to the feature without worrying about embers jumping out into the room and causing a fire. Residents also have the option of shutting off the fireplace heater while still enjoying the flame effects to ensure they can create a cozy ambiance in the room any time of the year. This allows the fireplace to be used in any climate. You can also save even more energy with the product when you don’t use the heat. Electric fireplaces contain two key components and have more than one switch to adjust the different settings. The feature includes infrared heaters with a fan and multiple heating elements, as well as an electric light flame. Many of the fireplaces even allow you to only use the heating element without using the flame effect if you only want to use it for the warmth it produces. Electric fireplaces are easy to use and hook up, but they also don’t require a lot of maintenance throughout the year. Many people are surprised to learn that they don’t require frequent cleaning and don’t produce any ashes since wood doesn’t burn in the firebox. The only type of maintenance you can expect to perform is replacing a light bulb from time to time. As a preventative measure, you can also change the light bulbs every two years for reliable operation of the product. The bulbs are easy to access by taking off the back panel with a screwdriver to access the inside of the unit. You can expect the fireplace to operate reliably with daily use and last up to 20 years before it reaches the end of its lifespan. You can also clean the interior of the firebox every few months to remove the build-up of excess dirt that has accumulated over time. Using a vacuum cleaner can allow you to reach small crevices to maintain the quality and appearance of the parts. Avoid using harsh cleaners on any of the surfaces, which can remove the finish. Using a dry and lint-free cloth can also make it easy to quickly wipe down the fireplace’s interior to maintain its appeal and operation. There are a few additional facts to learn when you’re asking, “How many amps does an electric fireplace use?” The heating capacity of electric fireplaces is 4,000 to 5,000 BTU per hour, equating to 1,175 to 1,440 watts. The LED lights in the feature only use 100 watts of energy every hour. Adjusting the built-in thermostat with the remote control can also decide how much energy you want to use. You can have more control over how much energy you use and still obtain savings in the highest setting.

How to Install an Electric Fireplace

Not only do you need to ask, “How many amps does an electric fireplace use?” but you should also understand what is involved when installing the feature. The simple plug-in design of electric fireplaces makes them easy to install when the feature arrives at your home. You don’t have to contact an electrician to hardwire any of the parts, which can save time and money. You also don’t need to hire a contractor to add a vent, gas line, or chimney because electric fireplaces don’t use a fuel source. You can avoid making any changes to your home and enjoy using a feature that doesn’t have to be permanent. The fireplace is easy to hook up and start using in minutes by hooking it up to an electrical outlet via the 3-prong cord. Avoid using an extension cord or plugging in other devices in the same wall outlet, which can overload the system when it’s sharing one circuit breaker or amp breaker and can cause it to overheat. With a 30 amp service, you can expect to pop the breaker while running other electronic devices in the same space. Keep your amp service as low as possible to avoid issues or causing too much strain on the electrical components. It also shouldn’t be on the same circuit as other lights or appliances in the building. Those who prefer to purchase a hardwired fireplace will likely need to call a certified electrician to install a new circuit breaker to avoid potential issues from occurring. One of the main benefits of installing an electric fireplace is you can have a lot of flexibility with where you place it in your interior setting. You can even move it to another room of the home if you want to enjoy the benefits in a different setting of the house in the future. The only requirement with where you place it is that it’s in proximity to a 120-volt outlet or 15-amp circuit to ensure you can plug it in without using an extension cord. Most homes have at least one 120-volt in each room. Those with a 20-amp circuit can hook up more devices and run more energy through the outlets. The compact size of the feature also offers accommodation in smaller rooms where you may not have a lot of space. Those who live in apartments or condos can enjoy having their own fireplace without investing in a feature that takes up too much room. The slim profile also prevents it from protruding too far out the wall or making you compromise too much square footage. If you have an existing fireplace in your home, you can even convert it into an energy-efficient feature by installing an insert inside of it. You can continue to enjoy the beautiful exterior design and size of the colorful fireplaces while transitioning how it is used to an electric design.

Shopping for the Best Electric Fireplace

When you’re in the market for a new electric fireplace, start by considering how many BTUs you need to heat the room where the fireplace will be on display. Smaller rooms with an average of 400 square feet will require 4,600 BTU and additional wattage, especially if it has a plug-in design. Many models even have up to 5,200 BTUs for more electric heat and warmth. Hardwired fireplaces offer up to 9,000 BTUs. This is an excellent option for larger rooms. Calculate the room’s square footage and multiply it by 20 to 30 if you live in a colder climate. For warmer climates, you can multiply the square footage by 30 to 40. The amount of insulation you have present in the building also influences how many BTUs you need in your setting. If your insulation is new or in good shape, you can rely on fewer BTUs because more of the heat is contained in the space without escaping. The fireplace brand is another factor to keep in mind as you begin shopping around for the right product. Some of the top brands in the industry include Dimplex, MagikFlame, and Classic Flame. The brands use different technology, which influences how realistic the flames look as the feature is on display. MagikFlame is a popular brand because of the innovation of each fireplace it sells. The founder invented holographic technology, which creates an ultra-realistic look with 30 flames. The technology is patented, so you won’t find any other manufacturer using it in the industry. Each fireplace has a screen behind the faux logs, making it look like the wood is burning. The flames dance and create a beautiful display that will make your guests think you invested in a real fireplace. How MagikFlame is built is another way that the company stands out amongst competitors. Every product is manufactured and assembled by a team of skilled technicians in Nashville, Tennessee. The quality of American parts offers a higher level of reliability and a longer lifespan with each fireplace that is created. You can learn more about the MagikFlame story on the company’s website and even read MagikFlame reviews to get insight into the features of MagikFlame reviews to get insight into the features that come with each model. Viewing the MagikFlame electric fireplace buying guide will allow you to read specific details and even view the flame gallery to determine what effect you want to create. The company also strives to offer VIP customer service with live agents who are ready to offer their assistance, whether you have questions about a specific model or payment plans and financing. You can even order a specific model directly over the phone for added convenience. You can also shop on Amazon to find other types of models available from MagikFlame, Dimplex, and DuraFlame. Reading reviews can allow you to discover how other customers rate each product and if they recommend it to other people. Consider the different features of each electric fireplace to determine how much convenience and accommodation it offers. You should have the option of changing the size and color of the flames to ensure it matches the style of your room or even a specific holiday. If you’re throwing a party, you can customize the look of the flames to set the tone and create a festive environment. Those who select a MagikFlame fireplace can even enjoy the cracking log sounds it creates after turning it on, which can enhance the realistic look and feel of the product.

Reasons to Use an Electric Fireplace

Electric fireplaces won’t make you feel like you’re compromising on the level of comfort you experience in your home. They emit more heat than electric space heaters and can reduce your reliance on your central heating system with the fan heater they use and their low wattage. They also offer zone heating to ensure you only heat the room you’re spending time in to avoid heating unused rooms in the building. Electric fireplaces are more cost-effective and can save you money throughout the year instead of relying on a wood-burning fireplace. Because they don’t use a fuel source to operate, you don’t have to spend money on wood or the cost of fuel with a gas fireplace. You also don’t have to pay for chimney sweeps once each year because electric fireplaces don’t release any smoke or chemicals. You can also protect the air quality in your home without worrying about contaminants or particles releasing into the air each time you enjoy a fire. This makes electric fireplaces an ideal option for those who suffer from respiratory issues or allergies. There’s also no risk of exposure to carbon monoxide. You can have peace of mind knowing more safety comes with using the feature and don’t need to invest in carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. There’s also less pollution with an electric fireplace to ensure you can create a green setting that has less of an impact on the environment. It doesn’t use a chimney or vent, which means smoke and emissions aren’t released into the air. The lack of pollution means you can run the feature any time you desire without getting fined by the city if certain restrictions are in place.

Do Electric Fireplaces Save Money?

Electric fireplaces are energy-efficient and cost-effective because they use less energy than other types of fireplaces available. Electric fireplaces use three to 18 cents per hour based on the national average kilowatt-hour, depending on how much heat is released. They still only cost less than one dollar to use for several hours each day on full power. You can enjoy plenty of warmth from the unit and adjust the temperature with a remote control if you desire less or more heat. Compared to a traditional fireplace, the lack of heat loss contributes to its energy efficiency. Eighty percent of heat escapes through a vent or chimney with a wood-burning fireplace. Heat also escapes through the vent with a gas fireplace. Electric fireplaces don’t have real flames, which means the heat it produces immediately enters the room. The heat is also released quicker than other fireplaces to ensure you can get cozier and more comfortable without running the fireplace for too long, which contributes to the energy conservation of the product.

Decorating an Electric Fireplace

Not only is it fun to purchase an electric fireplace to improve the interior design and comfort of your home, but you can also decorate the feature to ensure it complements the surrounding furniture in the room. Electric fireplaces are available in various designs and styles, allowing you to have the freedom to add different accessories and accent pieces to enhance their appearance. If you select a freestanding fireplace for your living space, you likely have a fireplace mantle to work with and decorate. Consider decorating it for each season to ensure it reflects certain holidays or times of the year. Dried flowers in a vase can look beautiful and allow the fireplace to look larger. You can also add a large mirror or work of art to draw more attention to the feature. You can also enhance the look of electric fireplace inserts by adding cozy features at the base of the fireplace to make the space look inviting. A pouf, woven basket with blankets, and a pile of stacked books can contribute to the overall style of the feature. Consider playing with different decor items and look through a photo idea gallery to get inspiration and find what works best for your space.

Different Types of Electric Fireplaces

By understanding the different types of electric fireplaces available, it can allow you to discover which option works best for your home and personal needs. Some of the fireplaces are built into furniture pieces like TV stands or consoles to ensure you can enjoy the beautiful look of the fire while watching TV. The feature can serve more than one purpose and even save more space. Freestanding fireplaces are also a popular option because they make the feature look built-in with the surround and mantle they include. You can use the feature to display your decor items or Christmas stockings, which can cause the fireplace to become the main focal point in your living room. If you want a unique look, consider painting the mantle and surround. You can have fun changing the style as your taste evolves over time. Those who want the fireplace to be flush with the wall can opt for a built-in electric fireplace insert, which easily fits inside the cavity of a wall. This creates an upscale and modern look when you want something sleek and stylish. If you want a permanent option if you own your home, you can hardwire the feature into a receptacle for continued electric fireplace use. Once the product is built into a wall, it can boost the value of your home and make it have more appeal once you’re ready to list it on the real estate market. When it comes to the technology of electric fireplaces, there are many different methods used to create the look of real flames. Water vapor or mist is used and is tinted orange to create the illusion of dancing flames. Some electric fireplaces use screens to create a realistic effect, which looks realistic with the burning embers and fake smoke billowing up. LED lights are also used to create the illusion of real fire. Some electric fireplace inserts even come with a water heater, which transfers heat energy from flue gas to water. By understanding the number of amps and electric fireplace packs, you can determine how much you’ll spend to use the feature and how it compares to other types of fireplaces available. The low cost of operating the fireplace can allow you to reduce your energy bill without compromising your comfort in the fall and winter seasons.