Can Electric Fireplaces be repaired? 

An electric fireplace is a perfect option for anyone who wants the aesthetics and beauty of a fireplace in their home with almost zero maintenance cost. After all, these units are very energy efficient and run solely on electricity. This allows you to enjoy a bit of added warmth to your living space and the beauty of dancing flames without having to deal with the fuel costs or issues associated with burning wood. 

However, like any other electrical device, these appliances will experience various problems at some point. In fact, there are some common electric fireplace problems that affect various models. But, can electric fireplaces be repaired? 

Well, that’s where our topic begins today! 

Can electric fireplaces be repaired? 

Yes, electric fireplaces can be repaired, either by the homeowner or a qualified service technician. For instance, if the ember bed is not glowing or the fireplace is producing dim flames, you can fix the issue by replacing burned-out LED lights. Similarly, if the fireplace is not producing heat, you should check for loose wiring or damaged heater/ motor and do the necessary repair action. 

In most cases, reputable electric fireplace manufacturers offer warranty services for their appliances, either through their dealer network or directly. Even better, most repairs can be completed by homeowners, provided they have access to the right components. Moreover, some units come with repair and service manuals homeowners can follow when repairing defective parts. However, like with any other electrical device, there are certain electric fireplace repairs that should NOT be done by homeowners. 

How much does it cost to repair an electric fireplace? 

As mentioned earlier, electric fireplaces do not need many repairs. Besides, you will only need to inspect for loose wiring from time to time and probably replace burned out bulbs.  After all, they provide the warmth of gas or a wood-burning fireplace with no actual fire. Instead, most electric fireplaces use LED lightbulbs to create life-like flames. You can easily access these bulbs by removing the back panel on your electric fireplace. 

Getting back to the repair cost, expect to pay about $100 for a professional electrician to visit and inspect if your electric fireplace needs repairs. Afterward, the repair cost can range from $100 to about $700 for a full replacement unit. 

How to repair various components in your electric fireplace 

First of all, before you think about repairing any component in your electric fireplace, you will need to open the unit. To accomplish that, use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the back panel on the back of the device. If possible, start by working on the bottom screws followed by the top screws to make it easy to remove the back panel. Also, keep the screws in a small container to avoid losing them as you’ll need them to put the panel back on. 

With that in mind, here are some of the electric fireplace components you can repair yourself; 

• Light bulbs 

LED bulbs in electric fireplaces for about 50,000 hours. Therefore, if you turn on your device for 4 hours per day, these bulbs can last for up to 34 years. However, if the bulbs get burned out before that duration, you can easily replace them by following these steps; 

Turn off your electric fireplace and unplug it from the power outlet. 

Leave the unit for about 20 minutes for it to cool down. 

In the meantime, go through the manufacturer’s manual to learn how to access the LED lights for your fireplace model. 

Next, wear rubber gloves, locate the burned-out LEDs, and rotate them counterclockwise to remove them. 

Install the new LED bulbs by rotating them clockwise to replace the burnt-out bulbs. 

Put the access panel back on and screw it in place. 

• Seized rod 

If you notice a sudden squeaking noise and hear the motor of your electric fireplace working harder when trying to adjust the flames, there is a good chance the flame rod is seized. To fix this problem, turn off the fireplace and unplug it from the outlet. Let it cool down, remove the back panel, and lubricate the flame motor by spraying it with a lubricant like WD-40. 

• Loose wiring connections 

Loose wiring can cause various problems in your electric fireplace. For instance, it can prevent the device from turning on, or make the log set not glow. Also, loose connections can prevent the heater from providing adequate warmth. 

Similar to any other electric fireplace problem, turn off the device and unplug it from the wall outlet before you try to fix this problem. Next, open the back panel and check all the wiring with a magnifying glass to see if there is discoloration or frayed wiring around the connections. Make sure all connections are properly connected to the unit’s circuit panel. 

• Temperature issues

If you turn on your electric fireplace but it’s not generating any heat, either the thermostat or the blower has a problem. To identify the exact issue, check the circuit panel to locate the motor location. Next, look for the blower compartment and lift the cover to access the heating element and the control dial. 

If there is no air or the blower fan is only working at certain speeds, you will need to replace the motor or blower fan to prevent the unit from overheating. In some instances, you may need to clean the fan to remove the dirt and debris buildup to ensure it is working properly.