Do Electric Fireplaces Use 110 Or 220?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do electric fireplaces use 110 or 220? Most electric fireplaces operate on a standard household outlet (

120 volts

) and provide between 4,500 and 5,000 BTU, roughly the same output as a small electric space heater.

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Can you plug an electric fireplace into a regular outlet?


Most electric fireplaces can be plugged into a standard 120 Volt outlet

, and no dedicated circuit is required.

Do you need a 220 for an electric fireplace?

Most traditional plug-in electric fireplace mantels are not capable of hard wiring into a 220 volt circuit due to firebox design limitations. However,

with a “built in” electric fireplace, you have the option of plugging it into a standard 110 volt outlet or hard wiring it into a 220 volt circuit

.

Are electric fireplaces 120 or 240?

Are electric fireplaces hardwired or plug-in?

Electric fireplaces are available with two different power supplies:

standard electric plug-in or hardwired

. The easiest option for most homes is to use a plug-in electric fireplace, as these run off standard 120V wall outlets.

How do you plug in electric fireplace?

Can I plug an electric fireplace and TV to 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

.

How much power does an electric fireplace use?

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.

What do I need to know about buying an electric fireplace?

So, typically when shopping for an electric fireplace, you’ll want to look for

lower wattage and a higher BTU rating

. Because of their relatively low wattage, most electric fireplaces can run off of a standard 120 volt plug (about 1500 watts), making electric fireplaces much more efficient than wood burning fireplaces.

Do electric fireplaces cost a lot to run?

The flames on electric fireplaces are created with LED’s, which we all know by now are extremely efficient and cost-effective. So, when the flames are on without the heater being turned on, an electric fireplace is using

less than $0.01 per hour of electricity

.

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.

Where do electric fireplace plugs go?

The distance from your fire to a socket

An electric fire should always be plugged

straight into the wall

– not an extension cord.

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.

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.

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 many amps does a 5000 BTU electric fireplace use?

How Many Amps an Electrical Fireplace Use? In terms of power usage, the average electric fireplace produces around 5000 BTUs, which is sufficient to heat almost 400 square feet of space. That is equivalent to almost

12-15 amps

to get a typical electric fireplace.

Is it cheaper to run electric fireplace or heat?

As far as fireplaces go,

electric is the least expensive

. One of the reasons why is because electric fireplaces provide supplemental zone heating. 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.

Can I leave my electric fireplace on all night?

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 you tell if an outlet is 110 or 220?

  1. The 220 outlet is larger, and it’s usually round and black or dark brown, not white.
  2. It can have three slots or four. Four-slot outlets have a ground wire. …
  3. There is only one outlet, unlike 110 outlets, which are almost always installed in pairs called duplexes.

How do I know if my outlet is 120 or 240?

Turn off the power to your thermostat before checking the wiring as high voltages can be dangerous and even fatal. You can also look into the gang box of your existing thermostat.

If you have black and white wires you likely have 120V. If you have black and red wires you likely have 240V

.

Is my outlet 110 or 120?

The most common electrical outlet in any home is a

110 volt

. Sometimes you may hear 110 volt plugs referred to as 120 volt. Do not be confused by this; think of them as one and the same.

Which is the most realistic electric fireplace?

As of today,

water vapor fireplaces

are the most realistic electric fireplaces on the market. They produce 3-Dimensional flame effect and look like real fire, but without any of the mess or danger. Water vapor fireplaces create their realistic fake flames by using water mist and LED lights.

What is a good electric fireplace brand?

However, without a doubt,

Dimplex and Touchstone

are the two most reputable electric fireplace manufacturers. The 2 big names: Dimplex for classic electric fireplaces, and Touchstone for modern wall-mounted electric fireplaces.

How long do electric fireplaces last?

Electric fireplaces can last for

10-20 years

depending on how frequently they are used. Many manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 1 year to 10 years depending on the model.

How much does an electric fireplace add to your electric bill?

On average, electric fireplaces will raise your

monthly electricity bill by $32.50

. This represents a 28.3% increase for the average US household. Again, this assumes $0.15 per kWh and 5 hours of use per day, over 30 days, on max power.

Are electric fireplaces better 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.

Which is cheaper to run gas or electric fireplace?

Can electric fireplaces cause fires?

Why does my electric fireplace shut off after a few minutes?

An electric fireplace will automatically shut off

when it starts to overheat

. This is to prevent to the unit from overheating causing damage to the fireplace itself, or becoming a fire hazard for your home.

Will a 1500 watt heater trip a breaker?

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. Modern electric fireplaces such as the Regency Skope series are specifically designed to suit any modern home and offer realistic 3-dimensional displays.

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.

Can you drywall around an electric fireplace?


Do not mount an electric fireplace onto a flammable surface such as drywall or wood

– these surfaces are highly combustible materials that will increase chances of having major fires breaking out when exposed to heat output produced by burning logs inside the electric fireplace insert.

Can you put an electric fireplace on an extension cord?

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.

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.