Are Electric Fireplace Inserts Worth It?

On this page (8 sections)

1. Are electric fireplace inserts worth it for most homes?
2. How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace insert?
3. What are the downsides of an electric fireplace insert?
4. Do electric fireplace inserts add resale value?
5. Which type of electric insert fits your fireplace?
6. What should you check before buying one?
7. Are electric inserts safe to leave running?
8. So, are electric fireplace inserts worth it for you?

Yes, electric fireplace inserts are worth it for most people who want flames without a chimney, gas line or wood supply. They add supplemental heat to about 400 sq ft and cost far less to install than a gas insert.

The real question is whether your room, your outlet and your heating needs match what these units do well. They shine as a second heat source and as a year-round flame feature, and they fall short as a main furnace replacement.

Below we break down the costs, the limits and the models that make the decision easier.

Are electric fireplace inserts worth it for most homes?

For most homes, yes. An electric insert gives you a working fireplace look without the venting, fuel storage or chimney cleaning that wood and gas bring.

It plugs into a 120V outlet and starts heating in minutes.

The PuraFlame Western Insert shows what a typical unit delivers: 750W or 1,500W settings, about 4,600 BTUs, and heat for up to 400 sq ft. PuraFlame calls it supplemental heat and says plainly it is not a main heat source.

That framing matters. If you want a cozy living room or den without the cost of a gas install, an electric insert is worth it.

If you expect it to replace your furnace or heat an open-plan house, it is not. {{product B01LA3VHHU | Two heat settings, a realistic log and flames that run without heat all year.}}

How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace insert?

The running cost depends on wattage and your local electricity rate. At the 1,500W high setting, an insert draws about 1.5 kW per hour.

Multiply that by your utility's per-kWh rate to get an hourly figure.

Run it on the 750W setting and the draw roughly halves. The flame effect alone uses very little, since these units use LED lighting.

That means you can enjoy the look all year without a meaningful bill bump.

The P3 Kill A Watt Power Monitor measures exactly what your insert pulls, so you can calculate the cost by day, week, month or year. Plug the insert into the monitor, then into the wall, and its LCD counts kilowatt-hours the same way your utility does.

The monitor handles up to 15 amps and is designed for use with 115-volt appliances, which covers a 1,500W insert with room to spare. It also reads voltage and line frequency, so you can check whether the outlet itself is part of the problem. {{product B00009MDBU | Measures the insert's real draw so you can price an hour of heat before you commit.}}

How to measure your insert's real draw

Start with the monitor in a plain wall outlet and the insert switched off. Plug the insert into the monitor, then switch it on at 1,500W and let it run through a heating cycle.

Write down the kilowatt-hour count at the start and again after an hour. Repeat the same test at 750W and with the flame running alone.

Three numbers tell you the cost of each mode, and the flame-only figure is usually small enough to justify running it all evening. From there, multiply by your rate to see what a week of use looks like.

A separate outlet is safer than a power strip, and the monitor makes that easy to confirm.

What are the downsides of an electric fireplace insert?

The main limits are heating reach, cord placement and the look of a flame that isn't real. Most units heat about 400 sq ft, so a large open room stays cool at the far end.

The PuraFlame insert cannot be hard wired, so you need an outlet near the fireplace.

Its cord runs from the right side facing the unit and measures 6 ft. Plan furniture so the plug stays hidden.

An electric flame won't fool everyone up close, though the PuraFlame's resin log and three-sided brick interior are built to read as a wood fire. That log stands 11 13/16 inches high above the ember bed, which is the detail that sells the wood-burning look more than the flame alone.

Finally, an electric insert gives off no real smoke or crackle from burning wood. Some models, like the PuraFlame, add a crackling sound to fill that gap.

Weigh these against the zero cleanup and no chimney work.

Do electric fireplace inserts add resale value?

They can help a room show better, but they are not a guaranteed return. A finished fireplace wall gives buyers a focal point and a usable feature, especially in a room where a dirty or unused wood fireplace looks like a project.

An electric insert is easy to install and easy to remove, so it doesn't lock the next owner into a fuel choice. That flexibility appeals to some buyers.

Treat the value as comfort and appearance rather than an investment you'll recoup.

If resale is your main goal, compare the alternatives in our electric fireplace insert vs gas breakdown before you decide.

Which type of electric insert fits your fireplace?

The right type depends on what you have now. A full insert unit drops into an existing firebox opening.

A log set sits inside an open fireplace and projects flames onto the back wall.

A full insert gives a cleaner, more built-in look. A log set costs less and needs no fitting, which suits renters or anyone who wants the look without construction.

The duraflame Electric Log Set 400 Sq Ft is the easy example: it comes fully assembled, needs only an existing fireplace and an outlet, and its quartz heater warms up to 400 sq ft. It measures 20.5 in wide, 12 in high and 8.66 in deep.

That size matters, because the log set has to fit inside the hearth you already have. The unit ships with a remote and two AAA batteries, so you can change the flame speed and brightness without reaching into the firebox. {{product B00K0NMFX2 | A plug-in log set for an open fireplace, with no venting or construction.}}

Full insert or log set?

A full insert is the better pick when your opening already fits a standard firebox and you want the unit to sit flush like a built-in. The PuraFlame is the example here, with an overall width of about 35 inches and a firebox opening around 32 in wide.

A log set is the better pick when the opening is irregular or small, or when you rent and need to take the unit with you. The log set is also the lighter option at 12.1 pounds against the PuraFlame's 46.7 pounds.

Match the choice to the opening first, then to how permanent you want the install to be.

What should you check before buying one?

Measure the opening, confirm an outlet, and decide how you'll use the heat. Start with our electric fireplace insert size guide so the unit fits your firebox.

The PuraFlame needs a firebox opening of about 32 in wide, 25 9/16 in high and 7 51/64 in deep.

Check the outlet distance against the cord length. Then decide whether you want flames with heat or flames alone.

If your fireplace sits under a wall-mounted TV, the PuraFlame's glass stays cool to the touch and PuraFlame says a TV above it is fine. If the opening is too small for a full insert, a log set is the simpler path.

For a shortlist of units with realistic logs, see our roundup of the electric fireplace insert with logs.

Can you keep your old fireplace?

You can often keep the surround and just remove the old logs. PuraFlame says you can replace an unused fire with the insert as long as you remove the old logs and the opening fits.

You still need an outlet, and you should block the chimney so drafts don't pull warm air out of the room. The insert sits on a flat bottom and can rest directly on the floor, so no masonry work is required.

That keeps the job simple and reversible, which is a big part of the value argument. If your old firebox has damaged brick or a broken damper, deal with those first so the new unit sits level and safe.

Are electric inserts safe to leave running?

They are safe when installed as directed, and most include overheat shutoff. The PuraFlame has overheat protection and shuts off automatically if it gets too hot.

Its glass stays cool to the touch, which helps in homes with children and pets.

Still, keep curtains, blankets and furniture clear of the heater grille. Plug the unit directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord.

Run it on the lower setting when you leave a room for a while. And never block the vent with a rug or a piece of furniture.

If you install a full insert in an old wood fireplace, block the chimney so drafts don't pull heat out of the room. The unit itself needs no flue.

So, are electric fireplace inserts worth it for you?

If you want a usable fireplace without a chimney, gas line or woodpile, an electric insert is worth it. Pick a full insert like the PuraFlame Western Insert when you have a firebox opening and want a built-in look with supplemental heat.

Pick a log set like the duraflame when you have an open fireplace and want the simplest plug-in option. Add the P3 Kill A Watt if you want to see the running cost before you rely on it.

Skip an electric insert if you need to heat a large open space as your main source.

Compare the best electric fireplace inserts when you're ready to shortlist.

Frequently asked questions

Can an electric fireplace insert heat a whole house?

No. Most models are rated for supplemental heat up to about 400 sq ft.

They warm one room well but are not built as a main heat source.

If your furnace already handles the house, an insert adds comfort rather than replacing it.

Do electric fireplace inserts need a chimney or venting?

No. They run on a standard 120V outlet, so no flue, gas line or venting is needed.

If you install one in an old wood fireplace, block the chimney to stop drafts.

Some models cannot be hard wired, so confirm an outlet is nearby.

Do electric fireplace inserts add resale value to a home?

That varies by market and buyer. An insert gives a room a finished focal point and a usable fireplace without the mess of wood.

Treat it as a comfort and appearance upgrade rather than a guaranteed return on your money.