Can you put an electric fireplace on the carpet? 

Compared to other types of fireplaces like gas and wood-burning models, electric fireplaces are the easiest fireplaces to use and install. After all, you just need to put them near a wall outlet, plug them in and you are good to go! Plus, you can basically put your electric fireplace anywhere. 

For instance, some people prefer putting their electric fireplace on the carpet. That way, they can have the unit closer to where they are sitting to enjoy more warmth from the heater. But is it really safe to put an electric fireplace on the carpet? 

Let’s find out! 

Can you put an electric fireplace on a carpet? 

Almost all freestanding electric fireplace models are safe to use on carpeted floors. Besides, if you understand how electric fireplaces work, you know that these units do not have a real flame. Instead, these units use rotating mirrors that reflect light onto the back of a screen in a certain pattern to produce the look of flickering flames. For that, they are a safer type of fireplace to put on materials that are not fire resistant like carpet than gas or open wood burning models. 

• Fan-forced vs infrared heater electric fireplaces

However, electric fireplaces also deliver heat either through a fan-forced or infrared heater, depending on the heating technology used and the model of the fireplace. Units with fan-forced heaters use a blower/ fan to circulate air through the fireplace and push the warmed air out into the room. On the other hand, fireplaces with infrared heaters use light technology to make the room feel warmer. 

Although both units are powered the same way, infrared heaters are safer to use on carpets than fan-forced heaters. For instance, blocking the inlet or outlet vents of a fan-forced based electric fireplace can cause the unit to overheat or pose a potential fire risk. Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with various parts of your electric fireplace before putting it on a carpet to ensure you’re using it safely. 

In most cases, the fan and heater are located at the bottom or top of the fireplace. If the heater is located at the base of the fireplace, putting the unit on the carpet without legs attached would be unsafe. However, installing the legs on such fireplaces will lift the heater off the floor, making it safe to use on the carpet. Also, it’s important to check the instructions manual for your electric fireplace model to learn how to safely use it on the carpet. 

Safety tips for putting an electric fireplace on the carpet 

As already mentioned, electric fireplaces that use fan-forced heating technology need to draw in air from the back of the unit, blow it over the heating element and push out warm air into the room. Therefore, if you intend to put this type of electric fireplace on a carpet, you should ensure that;

• The carpet does not block the outlet vent to the heater as this could prevent the heated air from leaving the unit, causing it to overheat due to insufficient ventilation. 
• The carpet does not obstruct or block the inlet vent to the heater as this could prevent cooled air from being drawn into the unit. 

In addition, you should carefully read the manual for your specific fireplace model to determine if it’s safe to put on carpet and what type of carpet. On the same note, it’s important to check the length of the carpet. This is because high pile carpets are more likely to obstruct the inlet and outlet vents to your electric fireplace’s heater than low pile carpets. 

Lastly, make sure you check the location of the heating unit on your electric fireplace before you put the unit on a carpet. If the heater is located towards the top of the fireplace, you can safely put it on the carpet. However, if the heater is located underneath, make sure you install legs to elevate the unit off the carpeted floor.

Important things to consider when buying an electric fireplace to put on the carpet

• Heating capacity 

Electric fireplaces have various heating options depending on the room size you intend to put them in and the amount of heat you need. For instance, fan-forced heaters are ideal for heating rooms that are smaller than 400 sq ft, while infrared heaters can warm rooms of up to 1000 sq ft. 

That said, considering the heat capacity of the fireplace will help prevent overheating and minimize the risk of fire hazards while on carpets. 

• Location of the heater 

If you have a long shaggy carpet in your home, I’d recommend looking for an electric fireplace whose heating elements are located at the top. This will help to reduce the risk of a fire and prevent the carpet from damaging the heater. In addition, this will prevent the shaggy carpet from blocking the inlet and outlet vents when the electric fireplace is placed on the carpet. 

• Safety Features 

Although electric fireplaces are safe to use on carpets, choosing a unit with safety features will give you a piece of mind. Some notable features to look for when buying an electric fireplace to put on the carpet include; 

Automatic shut-off timer. This system will allow you to leave your electric fireplace on overnight since the timer will automatically shut it off at a specified duration. 

Safety shut-off mechanism. The safety shut-off system automatically shuts off the fireplace if someone accidentally knocks it over. 

Temperature sensor. A temperature sensor prevents the fireplace from overheating to avoid the risk of fire if the unit gets too hot. 

Conclusion; Can you put an electric fireplace on the carpet? 

Most electric fireplaces are safe to put on the carpet, provided the carpet does not block the outlet or inlet vent to the heater. Also, you need to keep the fireplace at a safe distance from flammable objects like curtains to avoid the risk of a fire.