How To Choose The Best Electric Fireplace for Your Home

Choosing the right electric fireplace is about more than just looks. It's about finding a reliable and efficient heating solution that matches your home's needs.

Here's what to consider when shopping for the best electric fireplace.

1. Understanding your fireplace's heating power. 
2. Match the room size with the fireplace's heating capability. 
3. Consider energy efficiency.
4. The electric flame effects and designs.
5. Fireplace safety features.
6. Installation costs & maintenance.
7. Key technical features.
8. Best brands & budget.

In this guide, we'll go through the key considerations for finding the best electric fireplace for your space & requirements. 

 1. Understand Heating Power 

In Australia, electric heaters are typically measured by their power output, expressed in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW)For example:

1. Small personal heaters: 500W to 1000W
2. Medium heaters: 1500W to 2000W
3. Large electric fireplaces heaters or panel heaters: 2400W and above

The higher the wattage, the more heat the heater can generate. If you're heating a larger space, you'll want a fireplace with a higher wattage.

Heating Power Ranges

Most electric fireplaces have two main power settings:

1. 750 Watts: Great for small rooms or mild winter days.
2. 1,500 Watts: Ideal for medium-sized spaces or colder days when you need more heat.

For large rooms, like living rooms, 2400+ watt electric fireplaces are ideal depending on the size and insulation quality of the building.

 2. Match Room Size with Heating Capability

When choosing an electric fireplace, start by considering the size of the room. This is an essential step to ensure you have the right heating power that matches the room size.

Small Rooms (Up to 20 m2) 

For bedrooms, studies, or small living spaces, look for a fireplace with 750 watts. Freestanding or wall-mounted designs are perfect for these areas.

Medium Rooms (20-40 m2)

For medium to large living rooms or dining areas, choose a unit with 1,500 watts. Recessed or built-in models distribute heat efficiently and look great in these types of rooms.

 Larger Rooms (Above 40 m2)

Electric fireplaces aren't typically designed for very large spaces, but they're excellent for supplemental heating. For bigger areas, pair the fireplace with other heating systems. Consider dual heating units or zoned heating options.

2. Focus on Energy Efficiency

Efficiency matters, both for your wallet and the environment. Look for these features in energy-efficient options:

1. Adjustable Thermostats: Helps maintain a consistent temperature without wasting energy.
2. Eco Modes: Lower power settings that still provide warmth.
3. Zoned Heating: Directs heat where you need it most, saving energy.

3. Electric Flame Effects & Design

Modern electric fireplaces come with the below flame effect choices:

• LED flame effects that look like the real thing.
• Adjustable flame brightness and colours.
• Separate flame and heat controls for customised all year ambience.

Design wise, electric fireplaces come in 3 main options:

1. Wall-Mounted Fireplaces: These are sleek and space efficient, perfect for contemporary homes.
2. Freestanding Units: Portable and versatile, ideal for renters or if you like to redesign your space.
3. Built-In Fireplaces: These create a traditional look and feel, perfect for those who want a classic design.

If you need more design inspiration, read our guide on living room fireplace ideas.

4. Fireplace Safety Features

Safety is essential, especially if you have kids or pets. Look for these features for child and pet friendly options:

• Cool-to-Touch Surfaces: Keeps the outer surface safe to touch.
• Overheat Protection: Automatically shuts off the unit if it gets too hot.
• Timers: Let's you set the heating duration to avoid running it unnecessarily.

5. Electric Fireplace Installation Costs & Maintenance

Installation makes a big difference to costs. Here's what you need to know:

• Plug-and-Play Units: Freestanding models are the easiest to set up. Just plug them in, and you're good to go.
• Wall-Mounted or Built-In Models: These might need professional installation to create a seamless finish to the installation.
• Low Maintenance: Electric fireplaces are a breeze to maintain compared to gas or wood-burning options, which create soot and ashes and require regular cleaning.

Fireplace installation costs will vary, with websites like Hi Pages quoting national averages between $5,000 to $15,000+ depending on the complexity of the work and the electrician installing the unit. 

Electric fireplace installations that are not plug-and-play are approximated to cost between $2,000 and $2,500, while inset or wall-mounted fireplaces can cost up to $5000 as of 2025 figures from Hi Pages. 

Always consult with professionals when installing electric fireplaces and source multiple quotes to get the best indicator for installation costs in your area at current pricing.