Your Guide to the Electric Fireplace Installation Process

In the last three years, electric fireplaces have become extremely popular in the United States. In fact, the US market is currently worth more than $2.18 billion!

There are loads of amazing benefits of an electric fireplace. They are long-lasting, hassle-free, and look amazing.

However, if you are planning to invest in an electric fireplace, you also need to think about electric fireplace installation. This will help you choose the perfect spot for your electric fireplace and install it properly. So you can start enjoying your purchase right away.

Do you need help installing your electric fireplace? Then read on to find out everything you need to know about this process.

Electric Fireplace Installation Requirements

Before installing an electric fireplace in your home, it is important to choose the right spot for it.

This shouldn’t just be based on what looks great. You also need to think about where it is safe to install an electric fireplace in your home. This will stop it from becoming a fire hazard.

Your fireplace needs to be a safe distance from any combustible materials in your home. So things like curtains, furniture, bedding, and drapes need to be kept away from the front of your fireplace.

The size of your fireplace will affect how much space you need to leave in front of it. Larger fireplaces need a clearance range of at least three feet, while smaller designs tend to have smaller clearance ranges. Your fireplace’s manual should contain its required clearance range, so make sure you check this.

Electric Fireplace Installation Timeline

Before installing an electric fireplace, it is important to understand how long this can take.

After all, the installation will disrupt the living or bedroom area around it. So understanding how long this will take will help you choose a good time to install your fireplace.

Fortunately, this shouldn’t take long. With professional help and the right tools, you could install an electric fireplace in a single day.

If you are less experienced and want to install your fireplace in a recess then this could take longer. In that case, allow a week for your installation.

The Electric Fireplace Installation Process

Once your fireplace has been delivered, there are several steps you need to take to install it.

Installing some fireplaces requires a little more work. For example, if you have bought an electric fireplace to build into your wall you will need to create a recess for it. In comparison, you can mount some fireplaces directly onto the wall.

Let’s take a closer look at how to install your electric fireplace.

1. Frame Your Wall

You can get free-standing or fitted electric fireplaces. This depends a lot on the aesthetic that you want from your fireplace and the space that you’re working with.

Free-standing fireplaces are easier to install and can look great if you have an old fireplace in your room. Fitted fireplaces can look really smart and are great if you don’t have a lot of extra space to work with. However, fitted fireplaces do require more careful installation.

You will need to create a frame within your wall to sit your fireplace in. This should be about a 1/4 inch bigger than your firebox.

2. Connect Your Fireplace to the Power Supply

If your local code allows it, you can plug your electric fireplace into a standard electrical power outlet. This is the simplest way to connect your fireplace to the power supply.

However, you can also hardwire most electric fireplaces so that you can control them using a switch near your lights.

If you plan to do this then you should definitely hire a licensed electrician. You could get seriously hurt if you try to do this yourself.

3. Insert Your Fireplace in Your Wall

Once you have your frame in place and you’ve connected your fireplace to power, you can insert it into the wall.

Before securing your fireplace, you should ensure it is level. You will need a couple of pairs of hands for this: two people to lift the fireplace and one to ensure that it’s level.

4. Secure the Fireplace in Position

Once your fireplace is in the right position you can attach it to drywall or wooden studs in your walls. This will ensure that your fireplace stays in place.

Most fireboxes have a series of screw holes around the sides of the unit. These distribute the weight of the box itself around the wall. So you could make sure that you use all of them.

5. Decorate Your Fireplace

Once your fireplace is in position, you can add any decorations that you like to the firebox itself. This might include decorative logs or rocks that make your home look authentic and give it a personal touch.

To finish off your fireplace, install the front glass panel over your decoration. You can remove this at any time to switch up the design of the inside of your fireplace.

Electric Fireplace Installation Cost

Buying an electric fireplace for your home can cost anything between $200 and $4,000. This depends a lot on the type of fireplace you are looking for, its size, and how powerful it is.

However, you also need to budget for the cost of installing your fireplace as well. This can vary depending on the size of your fireplace and the complexity of its installation.

On average, electric fireplace installation costs around $700. So make sure you include this and your fireplace running costs in your budget before you buy an electric fireplace for your home.

Get Help Installing Your Electric Fireplace Today

As you can see, electric fireplace installation doesn’t take long if you have professional support and the correct tools in place. However, there are a lot of things you need to consider if your fireplace is going to look great and be safe to use.

Because of this, it is a good idea to get help from the experts when installing your electric fireplace.

In that case, Dreifuss Fireplaces are here to help! Get in touch today to find out more about our range of amazing fireplaces and for help installing yours.