How Does an Electric Fireplace Work? A Simple Guide

An electric fireplace is a heater and a flame picture in one box. A heating element warms air, and a fan pushes it into the room while lights or a screen make the flames. A plug-in model uses a wall outlet and needs no chimney, gas line or vent. For help comparing fireplace types, start with our fireplace buying guide.

The heater: about 5,000 BTU from a normal outlet

Most units we sell plug into a regular outlet on its own circuit and produce about 5,000 BTU. BTU is the heat rating. Makers rate that output for rooms up to 400 square feet. Think of it as supplemental heat for the room you are in, zone heating rather than whole-house heat, with the warmth felt in front of the unit.

Among our Napoleon models, the Astound has a boost mode. The Superior ERT2000 has a built-in thermostat to hold the temperature you set.

The Modern Flames manuals list 1,465 watts for 5,000 BTU on a 110 to 120 volt outlet. They require a dedicated 15 or 20 amp breaker, with no extension cords or power strips.

Plug in, or hardwire it for twice the heat

Hardwired means an electrician connects the unit to the house wiring with no plug. Some models give twice the heat output when an electrician connects them to 240 volts.

The Napoleon Elevation X 36 delivers 5,000 BTU plugged in or 10,000 BTU hardwired. The Superior ERT2000 offers those same outputs.

Some units have no plug option, including the CLEARion Elite 50 and 60, the Luminex, the Scion and the Triton. The Nexfire Traditional needs an electrician or an add-on plug-in kit for outlet use.

The flames: lights, mirrors, screens and video

The flame effect is a light show. On the Superior ERT2000, yellow and orange flames flicker at two heights, reflected by the inside walls. The Luminex uses a screen with colors including orange, blue and purple.

The Orion V2 screen from Modern Flames shows deeper blacks and brighter flames, with new flame styles available through the app. The SimpliFire Inception plays video of real flames. Our guide to realistic flame effects explores the appearance.

Logs, crystals or glass sit beneath the flames. The Cineview 26 offers logs or black crystals, while the Entice lights clear crystal cubes from below. The Element lets you adjust the flame brightness and the ember bed. On models such as the Orion V2 Multi, the flames work with the heater off, so the fire is a year-round feature.

No chimney, no gas line, no vent

Every unit we sell needs no gas line and no chimney or vent. Nothing burns, so there is no carbon monoxide, unlike gas fireplaces or a wood-burning fireplace. Framing and wiring still determine where it fits.

SimpliFire’s built-in models allow tile, stone or drywall to meet the edge without visible vents or screens. Depth varies: the Orion Slim is about 6 inches deep and fits a standard 2 by 6 wall. The Spectrum Slimline wall mount is only 4 inches deep.

The types, and where each one goes

• Wall mounted: Our wall mounted range includes the Napoleon Allure 32, which hangs like a picture and is about 15 inches wide.
• Built-in: The Napoleon Element 42 fits a framed wall or an existing mantel opening. The Astound comes in widths from 42 to 96 inches.
• Three-sided: The Modern Flames Orion V2 Multi is a 3-sided fire with glass across the front and both sides, in five widths from 52 to 120 inches.
• See-through: The Napoleon CLEARion Elite 50 shows flames from either side of a wall. Browse our see-through models for this arrangement.
• Insert: Our inserts for existing openings include the Napoleon Cineview 26. Measure width, height and depth at the narrowest points. Read what a fireplace insert is for more context.
• With a mantel: The SimpliFire Format pairs a wall mounted fire with a floating mantel kit. Mantel widths run from 43 to 60 inches. You can also browse our linear models.
• Outdoor: The SimpliFire Forum comes in 43 or 55 inch widths and plugs into an outdoor outlet on its own circuit or is hardwired. Browse our outdoor range for more. The SimpliFire Scion and Triton are also approved for a covered outdoor room, such as a porch or three season room, as long as they stay out of the rain.

For placement inspiration, explore our fireplace ideas for your space.

Remote, app and voice controls

Nearly every model includes a remote control. Our SimpliFire models also have buttons on the unit. Modern Flames models work with the brand’s phone app. The Inception uses the IntelliFire app or voice commands through a smart speaker.

The Landscape Pro and Allusion Edge accept Alexa or Google Home commands. The Stylus Cara has a weather display and a shutoff timer ranging from 30 minutes to 8 hours.

What to plan before you buy

Plan the electrical work first: an outlet on its own circuit, or an electrician to install a hardwired model. A built-in needs framing to the manual’s dimensions. An insert needs the opening’s width, height and depth checked.

Compare room measurements with the maker’s 400 or 800 square foot rating using our guide to picking the right size fireplace. Plan a covered, dry outdoor spot. Maintenance is dusting the unit and cleaning the glass. There is no ash, no chimney sweeping and no gas line to service.

Questions people ask

Do electric fireplaces use lots of electricity?

The Modern Flames manuals list about 1,465 watts for 5,000 BTU on 120 volts, similar to a household space heater. Hardwired to 240 volts, the rating is 2,930 watts for 10,000 BTU. The heater draws power only while running. Empire says flame visuals alone use a small fraction of the heater’s power.

Can I use an electric fireplace without heat and can I change the flame colors?

Yes to both on most models. The SimpliFire Electric Insert and Orion V2 Multi run flames without heat. The Allure and Stylus Cara offer orange, yellow, blue or multicolor flames. The Allusion Slim lists nine flame colors and five brightness settings, giving you separate choices for color and brightness.

What is the downside of an electric fireplace?

The heat is supplemental. A normal outlet gives about 5,000 BTU, rated for up to 400 square feet. Some models reach 10,000 BTU on 240 volts. The warmth reaches the room in front of the unit, not the whole house. The flames are a light effect with no real fire, which some people prefer and some miss.

Explore our electric fireplace collection or our ranked list of the best models to compare choices. My Cozy Outdoors is an authorized dealer for Napoleon, Modern Flames, SimpliFire, Superior and Empire, with the full manufacturer warranty. Call or chat with your wall measurements, and we will shortlist units that fit your space.