If you want a fireplace that is eco-friendly and easy to use, an electric fireplace is a great option because of it’s simple and advanced design. The straightforward operation makes it convenient for residents to use any time of the year, even if they don’t necessarily need heat. If you want it to sit flush on the wall, it’s important to learn how to install an electric fireplace in a wall.
In this post, you will learn:
- How to Install an Electric Fireplace Insert into a Wall
- How to Shop Around for the Best Fireplace
- Reasons to Consider an Electric Fireplace
- The Best Way to Maintain Your New Fireplace
- Tips to Decorate Your Electric Fireplace
- Why Electric Fireplaces are Safe
How to Install an Electric Fireplace in a Wall
If you want to avoid hiring a professional electrician to install your new fireplace, you’ll need to learn the right steps to take to learn how to install an electric fireplace in a wall. You can add ambiance to any wall without needing venting or a gas line. The installation process is an easy DIY project that doesn’t require advanced tools or equipment to make it less of a hassle. The plug-in design can allow you to hook it up in minutes without hardwiring needed with many of the electric fireplaces available on the market.
Start by measuring the electric fireplace insert to ensure it fits on a wall in your living room or home office. Find the center of the wall and mount it at least two feet off the floor to get the best angle and heat distribution. Mark your wall and identify where wall studs are present. Before you begin, you should have access to electricity. Although a dedicated circuit isn’t needed, it’s recommended to install one to eliminate tripping the circuit breaker or blowing a fuse.
Read the installation instructions before starting the electric fireplace installation project. You also need to be sure the product complies with local building codes. Slide the insert into the opening. The trim ring should sit flush with the finished wall. Use a leveler to prevent it from sitting crooked in the wall. Level the fireplace with shims to ensure it looks even. Secure the fireplace insert with the included screws before attaching the side panel covers to create a finished and polished look. If the fireplace comes with ember bed media, spread it across to create a natural look. Position the glass front into place and secure it.
A wall mount electric fireplace is also easy to install if you don’t want to create a hole in the drywall or are renting the property. This feature is easy to put into place with the included mounting bracket on the back of the frame. Find the studs in the wall ahead of time and mark where you want to insert the screws to ensure it’s stable and doesn’t fall out over time because of its weight. Take the cord and plug it into a nearby electrical outlet. Avoid using an extension cord, which can cause it to become a fire hazard. Fortunately, a wall mounted electric fireplace is also easy to remove if you want to change the layout of the interior setting or prefer to take it with you when you move to a new home.
If you want to convert an existing fireplace into an energy-efficient fireplace, you can shimmy the electric fireplace into the opening of the firebox. If necessary, use a trim kit to make it fit better. Plug the insert into an outlet that is inside the firebox or on the outside of the fireplace. If you want to keep the cord discrete and hide, you may need to hire an electrician to install the outlet if there isn’t one already present.
How to Shop Around for the Best Fireplace
Once you decide you want to invest in a recessed electric fireplace, it’s important to do a bit of research to ensure you’re aware of the different options available. You can discover what features will be the most accommodating to your personal space. Start by researching some of the different brands to determine which ones are favored by homeowners. Check out different ratings to get an idea of if the products will last long-term.
Whether you’re shopping at a home improvement store or are browsing Amazon, there are a variety of top brands available. Most customers are familiar with brands that include MagikFlame, Dimplex, and Touchstone. Each brand has a different manufacturing process and varies with where they make their electric fireplaces.
It’s also important to look into the different types of technology used between the different brands to ensure you purchase a product that has realistic flames that create a beautiful glow in the room. There are many different ways various brands create a realistic flame effect with LED lights, a screen, or even water mist. View pictures of each type of technology to determine which one looks the most realistic. The MagikFlame story has also contributed and influenced the type of technology used with electric fireplaces. The founder invented holographic technology, which uses LED lights and displays a real fire on a screen. It can make it easy to believe it’s a real fireplace with the smoke coming off the logs and the realistic sound effects of the logs crackling.
You also want to consider the type of fireplace that will look best in your space. Some fireplaces are built into an entertainment center or TV stands, which allows it to become the focal point of the room. Freestanding fireplaces come with a fireplace mantel, which you can use to hang Christmas stockings, garland, or framed pictures.
Before you learn how to install an electric fireplace in a wall, you can review different buying guides that are available through brands like Touchstone and Amantii. A best electric fireplace buying guide is also available to browse through some of the top models that use holographic technology.
Your budget is another factor to keep in mind as you look for the right product to own. As you compare prices between the different brands, avoid purchasing the fireplace with the lowest price tag, which can cause you to compromise on the quality. Look for something that has a competitive price but isn’t too good to be true with what it costs. Spending more on an electric fireplace can allow it to last twice as long and can save you money in the cost of repairs over time.
Review the payment plans and financing that is offered by each manufacturer by contacting them directly or visiting their website. It’s also important to determine if the manufacturer stands behind the quality of their product and offers a warranty. Extended warranties can also be purchased to ensure you have coverage on repairs or replacements that are needed if the fireplace starts to have issues. This will allow you to have peace of mind and can protect your investment.
Narrow down your top fireplace choices by reading reviews. MagikFlame reviews are posted on Amazon or the company’s website to ensure you can get an idea of how satisfied each customer is with their new fireplace. You can even check out pictures that customers post with their reviews to get an idea of what it’ll look like in your own home.
How You Can Benefit From an Electric Fireplace
One of the main benefits that come with owning an electric fireplace is the product lasts for an average of 20 years if you give it enough attention. You can use it as frequently as you like and enjoy having it become a feature you use on a daily basis, whether you want to use it for the heating element or flame effects. If you want your recessed electric fireplace to last up to 20 years, you’ll need to purchase a product that has quality products. Look into each brand and learn Dimplex’s manufacturing process or how MagikFlame is built to ensure the inserts are made in the U.S. This will also make it easier to find any parts you may need in the future if repairs are needed in the coming years.
The warmth that is delivered from an electric fireplace heater is one main reason many people choose to invest in the product. It delivers 100 percent of the energy it generates and doesn’t suffer from any heat loss compared to a wood-burning or gas fireplace. You don’t have to spend excess energy on lost energy, which can allow you to spend less on your electric bill each month.
The low cost of using an electric fireplace is an additional benefit when you don’t want to spend a lot on the cost of wood or natural gas. You also don’t have to spend money on fireplace tools or a fireplace screen. Most electric fireplaces cost one to eight cents an hour to use, whereas a gas fireplace is up to 40 cents every hour. The lack of vents or gas lines needed also makes electric fireplaces more affordable.
The smaller size of a wall mount electric fireplace prevents it from taking up as much floor space as standard fireplaces. If you live in a smaller home, you can still enjoy the benefits of a fireplace without overcrowding the room. You can enjoy the product in a condo or apartment and prevent it from blocking high traffic areas.
Will an Electric Fireplace Keep You Warm?
Not only are electric fireplaces easy and inexpensive to install, but they’re also a great product to use to keep you warm when there are low temperatures at certain times of the year. They produce a significant amount of heat and allow the room to become warmer minutes after you turn it on to ensure you become more comfortable quicker.
Not only will electric fireplaces keep you warm, but they deliver zone heating for better comfort. The feature won’t heat the entire home to avoid wasting energy on unused rooms in the building.
You can also adjust the temperature on the fireplace with the included remote control to ensure you decide how much you want to heat the interior setting. Although you can’t control the temperature in the room with a gas or traditional fireplace, the heat settings on an electric unit will allow you to customize the heat to ensure you can use it in different climates and seasons.
The number of BTUs that come with the electric fireplace will determine how much heat it can deliver, depending on the size of the room. It’s important to measure the size of the bedroom or living room you plan to use it in to get an idea of how many square feet are in the space. Fireplaces with higher BTUs generate more heat compared to fireplaces with lower BTUS. Most fireplaces are an average of 4,200 to 5,200 for smaller rooms. Larger rooms need up to 1,000 BTUs to ensure enough heat is distributed, and there aren’t any cold spots present in the room.
Not only is there more than enough heat to enjoy with an electric fireplace, but you can also turn the heating element off at any time without shutting off the entire unit. You can still leave the flame effects on to ensure you can enjoy the beautiful look it creates in the room during the warmer months of the year when you don’t necessarily need more heat. This can allow you to turn the fireplace on when you’re hosting a summer party or when you’re inviting guests over for dinner.
The supplemental heat you get from the electric fireplace will allow you to rely on your central heating system less. As the electric fireplace is in use, you can adjust the thermostat in the house to ensure you save more energy on your heating costs.
Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Fireplace
Extending the lifespan of your recessed electric fireplace is necessary to improve its operation and avoid repairs that are needed due to a lack of maintenance. Hire a licensed electrician to inspect the internal components to ensure everything is working correctly and doesn’t show any signs of excess wear.
Cleaning the interior of the fireplace is also necessary to wipe off excess dust that accumulates with frequent use of the product. Remove the back or front access panel with a screwdriver and unplug the fireplace to ensure the parts are cool to avoid burning yourself. Use a dry and clean cloth to wipe off the log set. A vacuum with an attachment brush will also clean hard-to-reach areas. It’s also necessary to wipe off the glass to remove dust and streaks.
Replacing the light bulbs is another important part of extending the lifespan of your fireplace. Most of the bulbs will last an average of two years before they start to burn out. Use gloves while handling the new bulbs to avoid damaging the glass or allowing the oil on your hands to transfer to the bulb, which can affect their brightness and lifespan.
Are Electric Fireplaces Safe?
Electric fireplaces are in demand because they’re considered to be a lot safer than wood-burning or gas fireplaces. This is ideal if you want to protect your health and have peace of mind knowing that the fireplace won’t put your family’s health and safety at risk.
Electric fireplaces have many built-in safety features that prevent them from overheating and allow them to automatically shut off with the included timer. You don’t have to worry about the risk of a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
There isn’t the risk of sparks or fires because real flames aren’t used. You don’t have to fear embers jumping out of the firebox and into the room. The glass door or panel also doesn’t get hot because of the lack of flames. Your dogs, cats, and kids can run around the room without the fear of getting burned by the fireplace. The lack of smoke and harmful gases also contributes to the safe design and operation of electric fireplaces. Because real fire isn’t used, there’s no need to install carbon monoxide detectors in the room. You don’t have to fear contaminating your indoor air quality and can continue to breathe easily in the setting.
Compared to standard fireplaces, electric fireplaces don’t create creosote, which is combustible and can lead to a chimney fire. You don’t have to remove the build up of creosote in the chimney or increase the risk of a fire occurring.
After you learn how to install an electric fireplace in a wall, you can begin enjoying it almost immediately because of how easy it is to hook up and operate. The fireplace will work as a decorative accent piece in the home while also contributing to the cozy ambiance.
