Electric fireplace, the short answer: an electric fireplace is a plug-in heater with an LED flame effect. It needs no chimney, vent or gas line, and most models plug straight into a standard household outlet. Typical plug-in units heat at up to 1,500 W, or about 5,100 BTU per hour, which is supplemental heat for the room you're in. The flame can also run with the heat off. You can buy one as a fireplace TV stand, an entertainment center with a built-in fireplace and bookcases, an electric fireplace with mantel surround, or a standalone insert for a surround you already have.
It's written for homeowners and renters who want the look and warmth of a fireplace without a chimney, gas line or remodel. This guide is the hub for everything electric fireplace on our blog. It covers the main types, how they work, heat output and room size, sizing an insert and a TV, safe installation, style ideas, running costs and care, and it links to a deeper guide for each type, so you can discover the right option before you purchase. Every Homsee number below comes from the product details on each product page.
Types of Electric Fireplaces
| Type | What it is | Best for | Deep-dive guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fireplace TV stand / media console | A low console with an insert built into the center | A TV wall in a living room or bedroom | Electric fireplace TV stand guide |
| Entertainment center with fireplace and bookcases | A full wall unit: fireplace in the middle, bookcase towers on each side | A built-in look and a focal wall without construction | Fireplace entertainment center guide |
| Surround with insert | A freestanding surround with a firebox opening and an insert | A classic fireplace look in a room that has none | Electric fireplace with mantel guide |
| Standalone insert (firebox) | The heater and flame unit on its own | Filling an existing surround or a fireplace-ready cabinet | Electric fireplace insert guide |
| Wall-mounted or recessed (linear) | A slim linear unit hung on or set into the wall | A modern aesthetic in living rooms and media walls | Covered below |
| Three-sided or see-through | A box with glass on three sides | A panoramic view of the flame in open rooms or as a room divider | Covered below |
| Freestanding stove-style | A small cast-look stove on legs | Cabins, bedrooms and corners | Covered below |
Not sure whether you need a console or a full wall unit? See TV stand vs entertainment center, and for a built-in look without a remodel, built-in entertainment center ideas.
How an Electric Fireplace Works
An electric fireplace has two separate systems in one box:
- The heater. Most plug-in units use a fan-forced heater: an electric element warms the air and a small fan blows it into the room, usually from a vent at the top or bottom of the insert. Electric resistance heat turns nearly all the electricity it uses into heat in the room, with none lost up a chimney. Some models use infrared (quartz) elements instead, which warm people and objects directly and can feel more effective in larger spaces; most plug-in inserts, including Homsee's, are fan-forced.
- The flame effect. LEDs light a resin log set and an ember bed and project a moving flame onto a panel behind the glass. Better units let you change flame color and brightness.
Because the two are separate, you can run the flame alone for ambiance in summer, or the heat alone on a cold evening. A thermostat cycles the heater to hold the temperature you set, and a timer switches it off automatically. There is no real fire, smoke, soot, ash or gas, and no direct emissions in your home, so an electric fireplace needs no chimney or venting.
Heat Output and Room Size
The standard plug-in electric fireplace heats at up to 1,500 W, about 5,100 BTU per hour, with a low setting around 750 W. That is the same output as a typical portable space heater. It warms the room you're sitting in quickly, which makes it good for zone heating: run the fireplace in the living room in the evening and turn the central thermostat down. It is supplemental heat, not a whole-house furnace, though in a small, well-insulated room an electric fireplace can work as the main heat source.
Larger hardwired models can produce more, but most freestanding surrounds, TV stands and entertainment centers use 1,500 W inserts so they can plug into an ordinary outlet. If you need to heat a large open-plan space, treat the fireplace as a comfort boost for the seating area rather than the main heat source.
Sizing: Insert, Mantel Opening and TV
Insert size vs firebox opening
When shopping for a separate insert, measure before you purchase. If you buy a surround and an insert separately, the insert must fit the firebox opening in width, height and depth, with the clearances in the insert manual. Measure the opening, not the outside of the surround. A 24-inch-class insert is the most common size for freestanding surrounds; larger inserts (30 to 40 inches and up) suit wide entertainment centers and media walls. Check that the power cord can reach a wall outlet through the back of the cabinet. Not sure a product fits? Contact Homsee customer service with your opening size and we'll check the fit for you.
TV size above the fireplace
On a fireplace TV stand or entertainment center, two numbers decide the TV: the width of the top the TV sits on, and the open height above the firebox if you wall-mount. A 50-inch TV is about 44 inches wide, so it sits within a 48-inch top; bigger screens are usually wall-mounted above. Check the weight rating of the top too. For general TV stand sizing, see what size TV stand do I need, and for very large screens, TV stands for 85-inch TVs.
Placing a TV above an electric fireplace
Heat is the first concern. Units designed as media centers either vent heat forward or use a thermal barrier so the top stays cool enough for electronics; follow the manufacturer's guidance for your model. Viewing height is the second: a TV mounted high above a fireplace can strain your neck, so keep the center of the screen as close to seated eye level as the layout allows, or tilt the mount down slightly. Our living room layouts with a fireplace and TV show seven arrangements that work, and shelving next to a fireplace covers the side walls.
Installation and Power
- Use a wall outlet. Plug the fireplace directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord or power strip, which is standard guidance from heater and fireplace manufacturers.
- Mind the circuit. A 1,500 W heater draws about 12.5 amps at 120 V. Ideally, put it on an outlet that doesn't also run other high-draw appliances such as a space heater or vacuum.
- No venting or gas. Freestanding surrounds, TV stands and inserts need no chimney, vent, gas line or construction, which makes them practical for renters.
- Hardwired and recessed units are different: they may need a dedicated circuit and an electrician. Follow the installation manual and local code.
- Anchor tall units. Entertainment centers and surrounds are tall and heavy, so fasten them to the wall, into studs where possible. See how to anchor furniture to the wall.
Electric Fireplace Safety
Electric fireplaces are one of the safest ways to get a fireplace look indoors: there's no open flame, no carbon monoxide and no sparks. On many models the front glass stays cool to the touch because the heat leaves through a vent rather than through the glass. The heater still makes hot air, so treat it like any space heater:
- Keep curtains, blankets, bedding and furniture well away from the front and the heat outlet. Homsee's fireplace manuals and product FAQs call for at least 3 feet in front.
- Don't cover the vent, and don't hang stockings or drape fabric over the opening while the heat is on.
- Don't use it in bathrooms, laundry rooms or other damp areas.
- Don't leave the heater running unattended; use the timer at bedtime.
- Turn it off and let it cool before cleaning around the insert.
Electric Fireplace Style Ideas
- Traditional carved surround. Classical columns, carved scrollwork and a white painted finish give a room without a fireplace an architectural focal point. Style the top with a mirror, brass candlesticks and blue-and-white ceramics.
- Farmhouse entertainment wall. A white wall unit with crown molding, open shelves and baskets on either side of the fireplace reads cozy and built-in.
- Warm traditional in walnut. A brown wood-grain finish adds warmth to a den or library wall; pair it with leather seating and warm lighting.
- Modern and minimal. A slim wall-mounted or linear unit, flush with the wall or a media console, keeps the look clean. For the wider living room style picture, see our guide to modern, contemporary and mid-century living room furniture.
- Bedroom glow. A compact surround or insert with the flame on low brightness makes a calm evening light in a primary bedroom.
Running Cost and Energy Use
The math is simple: kilowatts × hours × your electricity rate. A 1,500 W heater on high uses 1.5 kWh per hour; on a 750 W low setting it uses 0.75 kWh. Multiply by the rate on your utility bill. The thermostat switches the heater off once the room reaches your set temperature, so real-world use is usually lower than running on high nonstop. The LED flame on its own uses far less electricity than the heater, so running it for ambiance costs very little.
Maintenance and Care
Electric fireplaces need far less maintenance than wood-burning or gas units: no chimney sweeping, ash cleanup or gas line servicing.
- Dust the glass and the cabinet with a soft, dry cloth; clean the glass with a non-abrasive cleaner once the unit is off and cool.
- Vacuum the heater vent occasionally so dust doesn't build up on the fan.
- Keep the remote's battery fresh and the cord undamaged; replace a damaged cord, never tape it.
- Care for the cabinet by its finish (painted, veneer or melamine); our guide to cleaning MDF, veneer and painted furniture covers each.
Homsee Electric Fireplace Picks
Every product below is in the Homsee fireplace lineup. Have a question about a product? Contact us with the product name and your room size.
All Homsee fireplace units use the same 23.6-inch insert: high and low heat (about 1,500 W and 750 W, about 5,100 BTU per hour on high), 12 flame colors and 5 brightness levels, a thermostat, a timer of up to 8 hours, and a remote plus touch controls. It plugs into a standard household outlet and the flame runs with or without heat. Each product page lists the full specs, manuals and box sizes. Browse them all in fireplaces.
Best Electric Fireplace with Mantel: Relievo Grand Mantel Fireplace
The Relievo Grand Mantel Fireplace combines a carved white surround and the electric insert: 55.1 in W × 11.8 in D × 44.5 in H, 124.3 lb, with a top rated for 110 lb for a mirror, art or candles. At under a foot deep it stands close to the wall. It's built from P2 MDF with a painted, coated finish, assembles in about 30 minutes, and anti-tip hardware is included.
Best Mantel Surround Only: Relievo Grand Carved Fireplace Mantel
The Relievo Grand Carved Fireplace Mantel is the same 55.1 × 11.8 × 44.5 in carved surround without an insert, with a 24 × 24 × 6 in firebox opening sized for the Homsee 24-inch insert. Use it with the insert, or style the opening with candles and books. Anchor it to the wall.
Best Traditional Entertainment Wall: Traditional Entertainment Center with Built-In Electric Fireplace
The Traditional Entertainment Center with Built-In Electric Fireplace and Bookshelves (White, also in Walnut) is 115.5 in W × 15 in D × 78.7 in H: a centered mantel with an open bookcase tower on each side. Shelves are rated for 44 lb and the top for 88 lb; the open area above it is about 40.1 in tall and fits most TVs up to 50 in. Anti-tip hardware is included. It ships in 5 boxes and takes about 180 minutes to assemble.
Best Lit Bookcase Wall: White Entertainment Center with 5-Tier Bookcases
The White Entertainment Center with Built-In Electric Fireplace and 5-Tier Bookcases is 118 in W × 14.4 in D × 86.5 in H, so it fits under an 8-foot ceiling with about 9.5 in to spare. The top is about 48.5 in wide and rated for 165 lb, shelves for 33 lb, and 3-color LED spotlights light the shelves. Anti-tip hardware is included; assembly takes about 240 minutes.
Best Warm Wood Wall: Walnut Entertainment Center with 5-Tier Bookcases
The Walnut Entertainment Center with Built-In Electric Fireplace and 5-Tier Bookcases has the same 118 × 14.4 × 86.5 in footprint, a 165 lb top and 33 lb shelves in a walnut wood-grain finish. At 86.5 in tall it should be anchored to the wall.
Best Standalone Insert: 24-inch Electric Fireplace Insert with 12-Color Flame
The 24-inch Electric Fireplace Insert measures 23.6 in W × 23.6 in H (24.6 in with its top bracket) × 5.9 in D and weighs 24.3 lb. It fits the Relievo carved mantel and Homsee's fireplace-ready entertainment centers, or any opening at least 23.6 × 23.6 × 5.9 in with clearances per the manual. It sets up in about 10 minutes. For a full buying guide, see our electric fireplace insert guide.
How to Choose an Electric Fireplace: Purchase Checklist
Run through this list before you add a fireplace to your cart, whether you're shopping online or in a store.
- Pick the type: TV stand, entertainment wall, electric fireplace with mantel, surround only or insert.
- Measure the wall, the ceiling height and the path into the room; tall units need room to tip upright.
- Find the nearest wall outlet and check the circuit.
- Check the top width and weight rating for your TV, or the open height if you'll wall-mount.
- For a separate insert, measure the firebox opening and check the manual's clearances.
- Read the product details: heater wattage, flame settings, controls, weight ratings and assembly time. Compare product to product before anything goes in your cart, and check the cart total includes the insert if the surround is sold without one.
- Questions about a specific product? Contact customer service before you check out; it's easier than a return.
- Choose the style and finish, then plan to anchor tall units to the wall.
FAQ
Are electric fireplaces worth the money?
For most homes without a real fireplace, yes. They add a focal point and quick supplemental heat with no chimney, venting or gas line, plug into a regular outlet, and the flame runs year-round with the heat off. They don't replace central heating or the crackle and smell of a wood fire.
What are the downsides of an electric fireplace?
A 1,500 W plug-in unit is supplemental heat for one room, not a whole house. It needs a nearby wall outlet, the fan makes a low sound on heat, and the flame, however realistic, isn't a real fire. Running the heater adds to your electricity bill.
Do electric fireplaces run up your electric bill?
Only while the heater runs. On high, a 1,500 W unit uses 1.5 kWh per hour; multiply by your electricity rate. The thermostat cycles the heat off once the room is warm, and the LED flame alone uses very little power. Zone heating one room while you turn the central heat down can lower the overall bill.
Can I plug an electric fireplace into a regular outlet?
Yes, standard plug-in models are designed for a regular household wall outlet. Plug the unit directly into the wall, never into an extension cord or power strip, and avoid sharing the circuit with other high-draw appliances.
Do electric fireplaces in TV stands give off heat?
Yes. Most fireplace TV stands and entertainment centers use the same 1,500 W fan-forced heater as standalone units, with a separate flame-only mode. Heat is directed out of the front or through the vent so the top stays safe for a TV when used as the manufacturer intends.
Is it safe to put a TV above an electric fireplace?
On units built as media centers, yes. They're designed so heat doesn't rise into the top or the TV; some use a thermal barrier. Follow the weight rating of the top, keep vents clear and mount the TV as low as the layout allows for comfortable viewing.
Does an electric fireplace need a mantel?
No. Wall-mounted, freestanding and TV stand models need none. An electric fireplace with mantel adds the look of a traditional fireplace and a display ledge, and many inserts are sized to fit one. Contact the seller if you're unsure which insert fits your product.
Is an electric fireplace insert a good idea?
Yes, if you already have a surround or a fireplace-ready cabinet. An insert is the quickest way to add flame and heat: it slides into the opening, plugs into the wall and needs no venting. Measure the opening first and keep the manual's clearances.