How to Install an Electric Fireplace Insert

On this page (11 sections)

1. What do you need before you install an electric fireplace insert?
2. How do you measure the opening for an insert?
3. Does the opening have to be a real fireplace?
4. Does an insert need a vent or a chimney?
5. How do you set the insert in place?
6. What if the insert won't sit flush in the opening?
7. How do you plug the insert in?
8. When do you need a licensed electrician?
9. Does a trim kit change the install?
10. How do you test the insert after it's in?
11. Pick an electric fireplace insert that fits, and install it by the manual

Here is how to install an electric fireplace insert: measure the opening, check the depth and trim, slide the unit in, plug it in and test it. Most plug-in inserts skip venting and gas lines, so the work is mostly measuring and fitting.

This guide covers the steps in order. It's an overview, not a wiring lesson, so the maker's manual sets the exact steps for your unit.

For the wider picture, see our wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide.

What do you need before you install an electric fireplace insert?

Gather the manual, a tape measure, a helper for the heavier units and a clear path to an outlet. Check those four things before you unpack the unit.

PuraFlame's 33 inch Western weighs 46.7 pounds, so plan on a second person for the lift. The Giantex 28.5 inch unit weighs 25.7 pounds.

Find the nearest outlet before you move anything. The cord has to reach it without crossing a doorway or running under a rug.

How do you measure the opening for an insert?

Measure the width, height and depth at several points, then compare the smallest reading with the insert's size. Those numbers decide whether the unit slides in at all.

Measure the opening before you install an electric insert

Measure the width at the top, middle and bottom, and the height at the left, center and right. Use the smallest number, since a bulge in the brick or a trim lip can stop the unit from sliding in.

Efiretric's 23 inch Adam is 23.46 inches wide and 5.12 inches deep. With its front trim kit, the overall size is 28.34 inches wide by 20.08 inches high.

Measure the depth from the front edge to the back wall. The Adam is about 5 inches deep, but PuraFlame's 33 inch Western is 8.8 inches deep, so depth can change your choice.

PuraFlame's Klaus is named for 33 inches, but with its trim kit it measures 44.1 inches wide, 31.5 inches high and 10 inches deep overall. Check the manual for which of those sizes your opening has to match.

Does the opening have to be a real fireplace?

No, many inserts also fit a cabinet or a wall opening, but the width, depth and height still have to match the unit. A masonry firebox is the usual home for an insert, so a cabinet needs the same careful measuring.

Giantex sells its 28.5 inch unit for wall, cabinet and freestanding use. Giantex says to check the dimensions of your TV stand or cabinet first, so measure before you order.

If you're framing a wall rather than using a firebox or cabinet, read how to install a recessed electric fireplace. That job needs studs and drywall work, so it's a different plan.

Does an insert need a vent or a chimney?

No, an electric insert burns nothing, so it needs no flue or vent pipe. It still needs clear air around the grilles and the clearances the manual gives.

Smoke and fumes are why gas and wood fireplaces need a chimney, and an electric unit makes neither. Keep the air path clear, and don't cover the grilles with decor or cloth.

The venting guide covers chimney, damper and log-set questions in more detail.

How do you set the insert in place?

Set the insert in the opening, slide it until the front sits where you want it, and check that it sits level on its base. Slide it in slowly, and keep your hands and the cord clear of the front frame as the unit moves.

Some models have a flat bottom that sits right on the firebox floor. PuraFlame's Western and Klaus both have one, so you can set them straight down.

For the full Western breakdown, read the PuraFlame Western review.

Some inserts go in from the back of a cabinet and slide forward, which is a different job. The TV stand guide covers that style.

What if the insert won't sit flush in the opening?

Pull the unit back out and measure the opening again rather than forcing it. Forcing a unit in can bend the frame or crack the glass, and it can leave the front out of line.

Look for the usual causes first: a bulge in the brick, a trim lip that sits too far in, or a cabinet bottom that isn't level. Fix those before you try again.

If the front is still uneven after that, check the trim section of the manual for the adjustment steps the maker describes.

How do you plug the insert in?

Plug the cord into an outlet within reach, and check the manual before you use an extension cord or power strip. Plan the cord's route before the unit goes in, so it isn't pinched or stretched.

The PuraFlame Western runs on 120 V and has a 6 foot cord that exits from the right side. Efiretric says its Adam has a 6 foot cable and runs on 120 V AC.

Many heater makers say to plug straight into the wall rather than into a power strip.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes space heater safety tips at cpsc.gov. They're worth a read before you set the unit up.

When do you need a licensed electrician?

Call a licensed electrician if the unit is hard-wired, if you need a new outlet, or if the manual says so. Those jobs touch the building's wiring, so they aren't a do-it-yourself step.

The two PuraFlame units in this guide say they cannot be hard-wired, so they plug in. For any other unit, check whether it plugs in or is hard-wired before you buy.

Adding an outlet is electrician work, even if the wall looks simple. Don't run new wiring yourself.

Does a trim kit change the install?

A trim kit covers the gap between the insert and the opening, so it can change which measurement you use. Read the trim section of the manual before you fit anything.

Some makers note that a trim kit needs extra instructions, so read that part before you start.

How do you test the insert after it's in?

Start with the flame alone, then run the heat on its lowest setting, and check the remote and timer before you move any furniture back. Many inserts have a flame-only mode, so this first test is simple.

If the heater doesn't run or shuts off, check the troubleshooting section of the manual first. Don't open the unit or touch the wiring to find the fault.

Our electric fireplace not heating guide lists the simple checks to run before you call the maker. Write down the model number and the troubleshooting page before you put any décor back, so the maker's steps are easy to find later.

Pick an electric fireplace insert that fits, and install it by the manual

Pick the Efiretric if the opening is small and a trim frame can close the gap, and pick the PuraFlame Western if you want a plug-in with a flat bottom.

Pick the Klaus if the firebox needs a finished front, and pick the Giantex if the opening is a cabinet or a wall.

Measure twice, follow the manual for the outlet, and get a licensed electrician for hard-wiring or a new outlet.

If you're working with an old firebox, read how to put an electric insert in an existing fireplace. For more options, see the best electric fireplace inserts roundup.

Frequently asked questions

Can you install an electric fireplace insert yourself?

Many plug-in inserts can be set in by one homeowner with a helper, as long as the opening, depth and outlet fit. Follow the maker's manual, and call a licensed electrician if the unit is hard-wired or needs a new outlet.

Does an electric fireplace insert need a vent?

No, an electric insert burns nothing, so it needs no flue, chimney liner or vent pipe. It still needs clear air around the grilles and the clearances in the manual, and the venting guide covers chimney and damper questions in more detail.

Do electric fireplace inserts need a special outlet?

Most plug-in models run on a standard 120 V outlet, such as the PuraFlame Western, which has a 6 foot cord. Check the manual for the wattage and any advice on a dedicated outlet, and have an electrician add one if the nearest outlet is too far.

Can you use an extension cord with an electric insert?

Check the manual first, because many heater makers say to plug straight into the wall. A long extension cord can get pinched or run hot, so have an electrician add an outlet close to the unit rather than running a cord across the room.