Asked by: Raiza Baidachny
home and garden home appliances

Are electric fireplaces safe?

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When compared to gas and wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces are often the safest option and eliminate many potential safety worries. No dangerous smoke or fumes are produced, making them an ideal solution not only for the safety conscious, but also for anyone dealing with allergies or breathing sensitivities.


Herein, can electric fireplaces cause fires?

Yes, electric fireplaces are not only safe for your family, they are safe for the environment. It's an easy decision to make. Many house fires are started by a burning flame left on overnight. With electric units, you won't have to worry about this.

One may also ask, are electric fireplaces worth it? The electric fireplace is energy efficient and cost effective. There is no risk of losing the heat through the venting as the case with gas fireplaces. A gas fireplace can lose 20% to 30% of the heat through the venting decreasing the efficiency.

Then, is it safe to sleep with an electric fireplace on?

Yes, it is okay to leave an electric fireplace insert on overnight but it's best if you turn it off when possible. Although electric fireplaces do not produce any carbon monoxide fumes, its best to turn your electric fireplace off when you leave the room for an extended period of time or plan on catching some zzz's.

Do electric fireplaces cost a lot to run?

Typical Electricity Usage Electric fireplaces use only about 1,500 watts of electricity. Operational costs range between 0.003 to 3 cents per hour when you use them strictly for decorative purposes -- that is, the flames are activated but no heat is produced.

Related Question Answers

Xuefeng Trabelsi

Professional

Can you plug an electric fireplace into a regular outlet?

Electric Fireplace Installation
The installation of an Electric Fireplace can be as simple as placing the fireplace where you want it and plugging it into an existing electrical outlet. You should however plug your Electric Fireplace into an outlet by itself on a dedicated breaker or fuse.

Bakr Oudard

Professional

What should I look for when buying an electric fireplace?

How Do I Choose an Electric Fireplace? When selecting your electric fireplace, consider how you'll use the unit and the size of the space you're heating. Forced fan fireplaces are best for areas around 400 square feet, while infrared quartz units are best suited for rooms around 1,000 square feet.

Gaby Menguiano

Professional

Can you put an electric fireplace under a TV?

A TV may be placed above most electric fireplaces, without any adverse effects to the TV. Since most electric fireplaces blow heat out the front or bottom of the unit, they create no problems for TV's or any other items that may be placed above the fireplace.

Ridouane Liholat

Explainer

Where should I place my electric fireplace?

Depending on the needs for both warmth and ambiance, electric fireplaces can be hung on walls in living areas, bedrooms, offices and garages.

Nazam Koblischke

Explainer

Do you need to vent an electric fireplace?

As you know, the standard fireplace, as well as the vented electric fireplace needs a draft to successfully send out excess heat and emissions. However, an electric fireplace does not emit dangerous substances, like carbon monoxide or smoke, so there's no need to vent it.

Cristie Schlagindweit

Explainer

Can electric fireplaces cause cancer?

Safer: Electric fireplaces have zero emissions and no hazardous byproducts. Wood-burning fireplaces, however, can release cancer-causing agents and dangerous fumes (such as carbon dioxide and monoxide) into your home. When inhaled, these fumes can be dangerous to you and your pets.

Walae Jeffs

Pundit

Do electric fireplaces get hot to the touch?

Fireplaces with incandescent "flame" bulbs do not get dangerously hot by any means. The heat around the warm air outlet on any electric fireplace will be too hot to touch when the heater is operating.

Ot Lavandera

Pundit

Can you get carbon monoxide poisoning from an electric fireplace?

Only use fuel-burning space heaters in well-ventilated areas. Electrical space heaters pose no danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, unlike those that burn fuels, such as kerosene.

Hasna Vasta

Pundit

Do the electric fireplaces really heat a room?

The electric fireplace heater dissipates warmth directly into the room and is not lost through the chimney or special venting, since they don't require any. While electric fireplaces are not designed to be the central heating source in a home, they can heat a small room much more efficiently than a real fireplace.

Yeudiel Burgi

Pundit

Can you place an electric fireplace on carpet?

Yes, it is safe to sit an electric fireplace on carpet or on top of a rug. In fact, electric fireplaces can safely be placed on top of any stable surface. Is it safe to put an electric fireplace directly against a wall? Yes, electric fireplaces can be placed directly against walls.

Svetoslav Pladevall

Pundit

Are electric fireplaces tacky?

Q – Are electric fireplaces tacky? A- Not anymore! When electric fireplaces were first released they were visibly cheap and had obviously fake flame effects.

Ward Quibus

Teacher

What is the best electric fireplace?

Best Electric Fireplace Reviews – (Updated List)
  1. Touchstone 80004 – Sideline Electric Fireplace.
  2. PuraFlame Electric Fireplace Insert.
  3. R.W.
  4. Xbeauty Electric Fireplace.
  5. Dimplex DFI2310 Electric Fireplace Insert.
  6. Cartwright Convertible Electric Fireplace.
  7. Duraflame Electric Infrared Quartz Fireplace Stove.

Keke Moinho

Teacher

How much does it cost to have an electric fireplace installed?

The average cost to install an electric fireplace is usually between $150 and $300, but it can be significantly more if the electrical outlet or junction box is further away from the fireplace.

Higinio Cane

Teacher

Do electric fireplaces look realistic?

Yes! Many electric fireplaces have authentic features, including realistic or modern flames that stand out. Electric fireplaces deliver the convenience factor as well, with the cozy ambiance of a wood-burning fire minus the work. That said, not all electric fireplaces are created equal.

Lingyun Kleinebekel

Teacher

Are electric fireplaces safer than space heaters?

Compared to space heaters, electric fireplaces are a much safer option. Let's see some reasons for this: They do not work on the forced-air mechanism and, hence, do not cause dust and allergy-causing particles to circulate in the room. This ensures that you get clean and healthy air.

Yuliya Girau

Reviewer

How safe are wall mounted electric fireplaces?

There is no need to worry! While improper use and other safety issues can arise with any electric appliance, electric fireplaces are actually very safe. In fact, many people choose an electric fireplace over traditional gas and wood-burning options for that exact reason.

Presentacion Aresqueta

Reviewer

How deep is an electric fireplace?

Depths range from 4.25” to 12” for most linear models. If you are limited in the depth that you can achieve in your wall, then it's best to know that before you go shopping. There are many contemporary electric fireplaces that mount on the surface of the wall.

Judson Mnogogreshny

Reviewer

Can you roast marshmallows on an electric fireplace?

Appearance: Electrical fireplaces don't really look like fireplaces. Some may have false flames to create the illusion of a wood fireplace. Enjoyment: You can't roast marshmallows. Nor can you smell the wood or hear the flames.

Marlenis Grebe

Reviewer

Will an electric fireplace save me money?

Save Money
As far as fireplaces go, electric is the least expensive. Zone heating saves money by allowing you to lower the overall temperature of your home by 10-15 degrees. Then, you heat only the room that is occupied. This concept reduces the use of wasted energy and could save you up to 10% on your energy bills.