Electric Fireplace Installation Checklist and Costs 2026
Electric fireplace installation is the process of mounting, recessing or placing an electric fireplace and connecting it to power. Plug in models need only a grounded 120 volt outlet, while built in and hardwired units need framing, a dedicated circuit and sometimes a permit and an electrician.
Quick Details
Most electric fireplace installations cost $250 to $2,500, from nothing for a plug in unit to $1,500 to $3,000 or more for a recessed build in. A typical unit has a 1,500 watt heater that draws 12.5 amps, so it needs a 15 amp, 120 volt circuit. Skip extension cords and power strips, and hire an electrician for hardwiring or a new circuit.
Electric fireplaces are popular because they need no chimney, gas line or vent, but the install still has details that trip people up. The wall, the framing, the clearances and above all the power supply decide whether the project is easy or expensive. This guide covers each one with named sources and shows when to call a professional. It is written for US homeowners.
Table of Contents
The Types of Electric Fireplace Installation
Electric fireplace installation falls into four main types. Freestanding units just plug in, wall mounted units hang like a TV, inserts fit an existing opening and recessed or built in units sit inside a framed wall cavity. Difficulty and cost rise as you move from the first type to the last. An insert slides into an existing fireplace opening or a framed cavity, and it uses the same electrical rules covered below.
| Type | Difficulty | Power | Labor only cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding or tabletop | None | Plug in | $0 |
| Wall mounted | Easy to moderate | Plug in or hardwired | $150 to $800, up to $1,200 with a new outlet |
| Insert | Moderate | Plug in or hardwired | $200 to $1,000 |
| Recessed | Harder, needs framing and drywall | Outlet in the cavity or hardwired | $700 to $2,500 |
| Built in with surround | Hardest | Hardwired or outlet | $1,000 to $3,500 or more |
How Much Does Electric Fireplace Installation Cost in 2026
HomeGuide research tells that electric fireplace installation usually costs $200 to $2,500 for a room up to 1,000 square feet. That compares with $2,300 to $10,000 for a gas fireplace. The Angi electric fireplace also notes that you can hang many wall mounted units yourself or hire a handyperson, while hardwiring calls for an electrician.
| Item | Typical 2026 range | Source basis |
|---|---|---|
| Total with install, insert | $200 to $2,000 | HomeGuide |
| Total with install, wall mounted | $500 to $2,500 or more | HomeGuide |
| Total with install, recessed built in | $1,500 to $3,000 or more | HomeGuide |
| Unit alone | $100 to $10,000, most near $1,000 | Angi |
| Plug in freestanding install | $0 | Angi |
| Electrician hourly rate | $50 to $100 | Angi |
| Handyperson hourly rate | $40 to $140 | Angi |
| New dedicated circuit | $250 to $900 | HomeGuide via Electric Fireplaces Direct |
What changes the price of electric fireplace installation?
- Type of unit, from plug in to built in
- Framing, drywall and finishing work
- A new outlet or dedicated circuit
- Hardwiring and any permit fees
- Wall type, since masonry and exterior walls cost more
- Local labor rates
How Much Heat Does an Electric Fireplace Make and What Does It Cost to Run?
According to the experts, a 1,500 watt heater produces about 5,100 BTU per hour, in line with the roughly 5,000 BTU figure on manufacturer sites, and fan forced units are said to heat about 400 square feet.
Running cost is simple. A 1,500 watt unit uses 1.5 kilowatt hours an hour, which costs about 27 cents at the 2026 national average of 18.2 cents per kilowatt hour reported by the EIA short term outlook. Four hours of full heat costs about $1.09. Thermostat cycling lowers real use, and many models can run the flame without the heater.
What Power Does an Electric Fireplace Need
Most electric fireplaces run on 120 volts and draw about 12.5 amps from a 1,500 watt heater. The Dimplex electric fireplace manual lists those exact figures, requires a 15 amp, 120 volt circuit and says a dedicated circuit is preferred. It becomes necessary if the breaker trips.
The math explains why. A 1,500 watt heater divided by 120 volts is 12.5 amps. Electricians commonly keep loads that run for hours below 80 percent of the breaker rating, which is 12 amps on a 15 amp circuit, so a fireplace sharing that circuit with a lamp, TV or vacuum can overload it.
Plug in or hardwire the fireplace
- Plug in. Use a grounded outlet near the unit so no extension cord is needed.
- Hardwire. The Dimplex hardwire instructions tell installers to wire a dedicated, properly fused 120 volt, 15 amp circuit.
- Outlet in the wall cavity. Putting the outlet inside the framed cavity or an adjacent accessible spot hides the cord, as the Everything Depot guide suggests.
Plug In or Hardwired, Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | Plug in | Hardwired |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest, often $0 to install | Adds electrician labor, often $150 to $900 or more |
| Looks | Cord and outlet may show unless hidden in the cavity | Cleanest finish with no cord |
| Flexibility | Easy to move or swap | Fixed in place |
| Permit | Generally none | Often an electrical permit |
| Best for | Renters and simple installs | Built in and recessed projects |
Can you use an extension cord with an electric fireplace?
Avoid it. Dimplex says never to use an extension cord or power strip with its fireplaces. Other manuals allow only a short, heavy duty cord rated for 15 amps as a temporary fix and warn against coiling or covering it. Follow the manual that came with your unit.
How to Install an Electric Fireplace Step by Step
The steps depend on the type. Wall mounted units need studs and a bracket, recessed units need a framed opening and power, and inserts fit an existing cavity. Always follow the model manual for dimensions and clearances.
How to install a wall mounted electric fireplace
- Choose a wall near an outlet and find the studs.
- Check the manual for the bracket location and height.
- Attach the bracket to studs, or to blocks fitted between studs.
- Hang the unit and lock it to the bracket.
- Plug it in, test the heater and flame, and add trim.
How to install a recessed electric fireplace
Recessed installs follow a clear order. Check for studs, pipes, ducts and wiring before you cut, then frame the opening with a header and sill, run power, finish the wall and fasten the unit.
The Family Handyman recommends a rough opening about 1.5 inches taller and wider than the fireplace and drywall over exposed framing to keep the required clearance to combustibles.
- Choose the wall. Pick a non load bearing interior wall. Modern Ethanol advises a contractor for exterior or load bearing walls.
- Read the manual. Note the rough opening size, depth and clearances.
- Plan the power. Decide on an outlet in the cavity or a hardwired connection.
- Frame the opening. Build it about 1.5 inches larger each way with a header and sill.
- Run the cable. Pull power through the opening before the drywall goes up.
- Finish the wall. Cover exposed framing with drywall and finish around the opening.
- Set the unit. Slide it in and fasten it to the framing.
- Test and trim. Check heat, flame and fit, then add the trim.
Electric fireplace insert installation at a glance
- Measure the opening and compare it with the insert size in the manual
- Confirm the outlet or hardwire plan before the insert goes in
- Slide the insert into place and secure it as directed
- Fit the trim kit and test the heater and flame
This is an overview for homeowners and does not replace the manual for your model.
Clearances and Putting a TV Above an Electric Fireplace
Clearances vary by model, so the manual always wins. One brand lists at least 8 inches between the unit and a ceiling or mantel and 3 feet in front while other models differ. The Touchstone fireplace manual warns that mantels and shelves above a unit can see temperatures high enough to cause melting.
A TV above a fireplace is possible only when the manual allows it and the heat outlet location lets heat clear the screen. If the manual does not say, assume it is not safe and mount the TV higher or elsewhere.
Do You Need an Electrician or a Permit?
You can usually plug in a freestanding or wall mounted unit yourself. Hire a licensed electrician for hardwiring, a new outlet or a dedicated circuit, and a contractor for load bearing walls and recessed builds with heavy framing. Permit rules vary by city. A plug in unit generally needs none, while a new circuit or hardwired build in often needs an electrical permit, so ask your building department before you start.
IBWays Tip
If you hire for the electrical work, run the IBWays Pre Hire Check. Verify the license, get the insurance certificate from the insurer, request a written scope, confirm who pulls the permit and compare three itemized quotes and costs.
Electric Fireplace Installation Checklist
- Measure the wall width, height and cavity depth
- Find the studs and check for pipes and wiring
- Confirm the outlet location and the circuit it shares
- Read the manual for the rough opening and clearances
- Decide whether a TV or mantel will sit above
- Plan how to hide the cord or hardwire
- Budget for framing, drywall and an electrician if needed
Common Electric Fireplace Installation Mistakes
- Using an extension cord or power strip
- Sharing the circuit with other high draw devices
- Framing the opening too tight or skipping the drywall over framing
- Ignoring clearances for mantels, shelves and TVs
- Cutting into a load bearing wall without a contractor
- Skipping the manual and the permit check
Final Thoughts on Electric Fireplace Installation
An electric fireplace is one of the easiest ways to add a focal point to a room, and a plug in or wall mounted unit can be a simple weekend job. The risk sits in the power and the framing. Match the unit to a proper circuit, respect the clearances, follow the manual and call a professional when the project involves hardwiring or structure.
Electric Fireplace Installation FAQs
How much does electric fireplace installation cost?
Most installs cost $200 to $2,500, according to HomeGuide. A plug in unit costs nothing to install, wall mounting runs $150 to $800 in labor, and recessed builds cost $700 to $2,500 or more. A new circuit adds $250 to $900.
Can you install an electric fireplace yourself?
Yes for plug in and many wall mounted units if you follow the manual and can find studs. Hire a professional for hardwiring, new circuits, load bearing walls and recessed builds that need framing and drywall.
Does an electric fireplace need a dedicated circuit?
Manufacturers say a 15 amp, 120 volt circuit is required and a dedicated circuit is preferred. It is needed if the breaker trips. A 1,500 watt heater draws 12.5 amps, so sharing the circuit often overloads it.
Can you use an extension cord with an electric fireplace?
Most manuals say to avoid it, and Dimplex says never to use extension cords or power strips. Plug into a grounded wall outlet. If a manual allows a temporary cord, it must be short, heavy duty and rated for 15 amps.
Do electric fireplaces need venting?
No. Electric fireplaces burn no fuel, so they need no chimney, flue or gas line. They still need clearances around the heat outlet and from combustible materials, and the manual sets the exact distances.
How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace?
At full heat a 1,500 watt unit uses 1.5 kilowatt hours an hour, about 27 cents at the 2026 national average of 18.2 cents per kilowatt hour. Flame only use and thermostat cycling lower the real bill.
Sources and references
- HomeGuide electric fireplace costs for installed cost by type
- HomeGuide fireplace installation costs for gas fireplace comparison
- Electric Fireplaces Direct cost guide for labor by type and circuit cost
- Angi electric fireplace guide for unit prices and labor rates
- Dimplex electric fireplace manual for electrical specifications
- Dimplex hardwire instructions for hardwiring
- Family Handyman installation guide for rough opening and framing
- Everything Depot recessed guide for recessed steps
- Modern Ethanol recessed guide for wall type and heat coverage
- Touchstone fireplace manual for clearance warnings
- Homelectrical wall mount guide for wall mount bracket steps
- Fireplace Choice recess guide for example clearances
- EIA short term outlook for electricity price
- Hammer fireplace cost guide for install time
This guide is researched information to get you acknowledged and does not replace the manual for your unit or advice from a licensed electrician, contractor or your local building department. Because Prices and permit rules vary by location.
