Can You Plug An Electric Fireplace Into A Regular Outlet?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you plug an electric fireplace into a regular outlet?

All electric fireplace inserts plug into standard household power outlets

. If you want to keep the area around your fireplace free of hanging cords, you will need to install an outlet inside of your existing fireplace. We recommend that you hire a licensed electrician to perform this task.

Do you need a special outlet for an electric fireplace?

Most electric fireplaces have 120-volt plugs that are grounded for protection. So

they only need a 120-volt outlet to operate

. But this outlet must be on a dedicated circuit breaker or fuse. These power requirements match the power outlets of most homes.

Can you plug an electric fireplace and TV into same outlet?


A TV can be placed above an electric fireplace on the same wall as long as the TV doesn’t block the outlet to the heater on the electric fireplace, or be in the way of the heat

.

Do electric fireplaces use 110 or 220?

Where do electric fireplace plugs go?

Can I use an extension cord for my electric fireplace?

From time to time, we are asked if an extension cord can be used with electric fireplaces.

We don’t recommend it because the extension cord can overheat and cause risk of fire

. However, if you have to use an extension cord, the cord must be Number 14 AWG minimum size and rated no less than 1875 Watts.

Are electric fireplaces 120 or 240?

All electric fireplaces operate on

120 volts, and some will also operate on 240 volts

. On 120 volts, an electric fireplace will heat up to 400 square feet.

Does an electric fire need to be on its own circuit?

Do electric fireplaces need their own circuit? Can you plug an electric fireplace into a regular outlet? Yes, most electric fireplaces can be plugged into a regular outlet. However,

the majority of electric fireplaces need their own circuit because they have heaters built in

.

How do you hook up an electric fireplace?

Do the electric fireplaces really heat a room?


Electric fireplaces can also heat a room faster and more efficiently than wood-burning fireplaces

, and they’re safe to use. These cost-effective heaters are also one of the most efficient ways to heat a room, which reduces energy costs. To find the best electric fireplace for your home, find a dealer near you.

How do I hide the cords on my electric fireplace?

Can you install an electric fireplace yourself?


You can install your built-in electric fireplace yourself if you have some carpentry and electrical knowledge

, however, we recommend seeking the help of a licensed electrician.

Why does my electric fireplace keep tripping the breaker?

The most likely reason is that

the heater is drawing too much current and overheating that circuit

. This can be dangerous, so the breaker shuts off to protect you. A second reason is that you might have too many other appliances on the circuit.

Why should you not use an extension cord with an electric heater?

Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which

could overheat and result in a fire

.

How much power does an electric fireplace draw?

Most electric fireplaces draw about

1,500 watts

and can heat spaces up to 400 square feet. There are larger models available that consume more energy and heat larger spaces, but since electric fireplaces are only for zone heating, the standard 1,500-watt models work for most homeowners.

What does a 120 volt plug look like?

Features. The modern 120-volt power outlet has

three holes: two parallel rectangular slots—one connected to the “live” wire and one connected to the neutral wire—and a round hole for the ground wire

. Most outlets are “duplex” receptacles, with two places to plug in electrical devices.

Are electric fireplaces safer than space heaters?


Electric fireplaces are considered safer than space heaters

because they produce a flame effect without creating actual, real fire. There is limited exposure or a more negligible probability of danger around furniture, table cloths, and drapes due to no chance of embers escaping from the fireplace.

Are electric fireplaces safe?

How safe are electric fireplaces? Electric fireplaces are

extremely safe, and family-friendly

. Since there is nothing burning, there is no risk of sparks or fire igniting nearby objects. Likewise, there are no fumes, smoke, or chemicals being emitted, since there is nothing burning.

Can an electric fireplace cause carbon monoxide?

You may be wondering, “Can an electric fireplace cause carbon monoxide if it used to be a gas or wood stove?”, and the answer to that question is

no

. As long as no combustion is currently being used, the answer to the question of “Can an electric fireplace cause carbon monoxide?” will always be no.

Can you put an electric fireplace anywhere?

Electric fireplaces require much less hassle than traditional wood-burning or gas fireplace inserts. Because they need no gas lines, chimney or other infrastructure,

you can install an electric fireplace anywhere you have a power outlet

, and in homes where fireplaces aren’t an option.

How much does it cost to install electric fireplace in wall?

Item Unit Cost Line cost Wall-mounted electric fireplace $500-$1,500 each $500-$1,500 Labor Cost $65 per hour $130-$325 Total Cost $630-$2,525 $630-$2,525

How long can an electric fireplace stay on?

As long as an electric fireplace is plugged into one of your standard home electrical outlets or hard-wired into your home electrics, then these components of an electric fireplace will be able to run

indefinitely

, within reason.

Why is my electric fireplace overheating?


A restricted airflow

is one of the main causes of overheating in an electric fireplace. Electric fireplaces need sufficient airflow to operate, and a blocked or partially blocked inlet to the fireplace will quickly prevent cooling of the heating element, causing it to become too hot to work safely.

Can you plug a space heater into a GFCI outlet?

Notice that we specifically said wall outlet:

Manufacturers advise against plugging space heaters into surge protectors, extension cords, plug timers, GFCI outlets

(the kind with the test and reset buttons), or really anything that’s not a wall outlet.

Can you plug an electric heater into a power strip?

Space heaters must be plugged directly into a wall outlet, which can handle a higher wattage, and should be the only item plugged into that wall outlet. The Electrical Safety Foundation International says

space heaters can overheat a power strip, as well as an extension cord, and potentially cause a fire

.

Are wall outlet heaters safe?

Due to fire and safety concerns, portable heaters should not be left unattended. After use, they should be turned off and unplugged from the wall.

Wall-mounted electric heaters have numerous safety features that make them both safe and reliable and can safely be left unattended

.

How many watts can extension cord handle?

As the cord gets longer, the current carrying capacity of the cord gets lower. For example,

a 16 gauge extension cord less than 50 feet in length can power a 1625 watt (W) appliance

. A 16 gauge cord that is longer than 50 feet in length can only power an appliance up to 1250W.

How do you power an electric fireplace?

The fireplace must be plugged in at the wall and the wall socket turned on. The power button on the electric fireplace must be switched on. The flame effect switch must be turned on (if separate to the main power switch). The flame dial can then be used to control brightness of the flames.

How do you wire an electric fireplace?

What does a 120 volt plug look like?

Features. The modern 120-volt power outlet has

three holes: two parallel rectangular slots—one connected to the “live” wire and one connected to the neutral wire—and a round hole for the ground wire

. Most outlets are “duplex” receptacles, with two places to plug in electrical devices.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.