An electric fireplace insert is the fastest way to bring an unused fireplace back to life. It slides into the existing opening, plugs into a standard outlet, and gives you a glowing flame with the press of a button. No gas line, no venting, and no firewood to haul.
Every fall, we meet homeowners with fireplaces that have sat dark for years. For many of them, an electric insert is the simplest answer. Here’s how electric inserts work, what they do well, where they fall short, and how to tell if one fits your home.
What Is an Electric Fireplace Insert?
An electric fireplace insert is a firebox-shaped unit designed to fit inside an existing fireplace opening. It combines two features:
- A flame effect created with LED lighting, reflective panels, and sometimes mist or ember beds.
- A built-in heater that warms the room with a fan-forced heating element.
You can run the flames with or without heat, which means you can enjoy the look of a fire on a mild fall evening without warming the room.
How Electric Fireplace Inserts Heat a Room
Most plug-in electric inserts draw about 1,500 watts, which produces roughly 5,000 BTUs of heat. That’s supplemental heat, enough to warm a living room or bedroom and take the chill off a cool evening.
TheU.S. Department of Energy points out that electric resistance heat converts all the incoming electricity into heat at the point of use, and that zone heating (warming only the rooms you’re in) can produce energy savings of more than 20% compared to heating the whole house. An electric insert is a natural fit for that strategy.
Electric Fireplace Insert vs. Gas and Wood Inserts
|
Feature |
Electric Insert |
Gas Insert |
Wood Insert |
|
Heat output |
Supplemental |
Primary or zone heat |
Primary or zone heat |
|
Venting |
None |
Sealed direct-vent |
Liner through existing flue |
|
Fuel |
Standard outlet |
Natural gas or propane |
Cordwood |
|
Flame |
LED effect |
Real flame |
Real flame |
|
Maintenance |
Minimal |
Annual tune-up |
Frequent cleaning, annual service |
|
Flame without heat |
Yes |
No |
No |
If you want serious heat, agas fireplace insert or wood insert delivers more. If you want easy ambiance and flexible supplemental warmth, electric is hard to beat.
Benefits of Going Electric
- Simple setup. Most models plug into a standard 120-volt outlet.
- No venting required. Great for fireplaces with damaged or unusable venting.
- Year-round ambiance. Run the flame without heat in any season.
- Safe to the touch. Many electric inserts have glass fronts that stay cooler than gas or wood units, a plus for homes with young kids and pets.
- Low maintenance. No ash, no soot, and no annual burner service.
- Adjustable looks. Many models let you change flame color, brightness, and ember bed lighting.
Things to Consider Before You Buy
Electric inserts are a great fit for many homes, but they aren’t right for every goal.
- Heat output is limited. An electric insert won’t replace a furnace or heat a large open floor plan on its own.
- You need an outlet. Ideally one inside or near the fireplace. Plug the insert directly into a wall outlet; theElectrical Safety Foundation International advises against running heaters through extension cords or power strips.
- Measure the opening. Electric inserts fit shallow fireplaces well, but you still need the right width, height, and depth.
- Consider the look. Today’s LED flames are impressive, but they’re still a flame effect, not a live fire.
The Electric Inserts We Carry
Ourelectric fireplaces collection features SimpliFire, a brand our team trusts for realistic flames and dependable performance. The SimpliFire Electric Insert is designed specifically to retrofit an existing fireplace opening.
If you don’t have a fireplace, SimpliFire also offers wall-mount, built-in, and linear units like the Allusion and Scion series. Our overview ofelectric fireplaces compares every style.
Who Should Choose an Electric Insert?
In our experience, electric inserts work best for:
- Homeowners with unused wood fireplaces who want a flame without the work.
- Bedrooms and smaller rooms where supplemental heat is plenty.
- Condos and townhomes where running gas lines or new venting isn’t practical.
- Families with young kids who want a cooler-touch glass front.
- Anyone who wants flames in summer without adding heat.
If your fireplace is very shallow, electric is often the easiest fit. Oursmall fireplace insert guide walks through every option for compact openings.
How Installation Works
One of the biggest draws of electric is how simple installation can be. Here’s the typical process:
- Measure the opening to confirm the insert fits, including depth.
- Confirm an outlet is available inside or near the fireplace. Our team can tell you if one needs to be added.
- Close off the old flue so warm room air doesn’t escape up the unused venting.
- Slide the insert in and attach the surround trim for a finished look.
- Plug it in and set up the remote.
Many homeowners enjoy their new flame the same day the insert arrives.
Electric Insert Care and Troubleshooting
Electric inserts need very little attention, but a few habits keep them looking great:
- Dust the glass and vents with a soft cloth when the unit is off and cool.
- Replace remote batteries each season.
- Keep the heater vents clear of décor and fabric.
- Swap LED components if lighting dims over many years. Most are designed to last a long time.
If you’re thinking about a bigger upgrade, like converting that wood fireplace to real flame, see our guide togas fireplace conversion.
Ready to light up that empty fireplace?Request an estimate from Fireside and our team will help you choose the right insert for your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electric fireplace inserts give off real heat?
Yes. Most electric inserts include a fan-forced heater that produces about 5,000 BTUs, enough to provide supplemental heat for a typical room.
Can an electric insert go in any fireplace?
Most existing fireplaces can accept an electric insert as long as the opening is the right size and there’s an outlet nearby. Electric inserts fit shallow openings especially well.
Do electric inserts need venting?
No. Electric inserts don’t burn fuel, so they need no venting.
Can you run an electric insert without heat?
Yes. Nearly all electric inserts let you run the flame effect with the heater off, so you can enjoy the look year-round.
Is an electric insert better than a gas insert?
It depends on your goals. Electric inserts are easier to install and maintain and work well for ambiance and supplemental heat. Gas inserts produce much more heat and a real flame.