Do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity? 

According to research, the global market of electric fireplaces was valued at around $2.18 billion in 2021, which is an increase of 1.4% from the previous year. Surprisingly, various studies project that this market is likely to increase up to $2.77 billion by 2028. 

However, unlike their gas or wood-burning counterparts, electric fireplaces depend on electricity to produce realistic flames and heat your home. In addition, there are several electric fireplaces pros and cons every homeowner should consider before investing in one.

 Most importantly, you must consider how much these appliances can impact your electricity bill. Specifically, you must ask yourself; how much electricity do electric fireplaces use? Do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity?

Well, just continue reading this article to learn more about the specifics regarding the electricity usage/ consumption of electric fireplaces! 

Typical electricity usage of electric fireplaces 

In general, the heat output of electric fireplaces is usually measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). However, you can also measure the heat output of these appliances in Amperages (A) and Watts (W), but more on that later. 

BTU ratings are instrumental in determining the heat energy output of space heating appliances since some units have different or multiple power levels and unique heat settings. Not to forget that these ratings can also calculate the heat output of gas-powered heaters as well as the capacity of cooling systems. 

BTU Output = Heater Wattage Rating X 3.413; Where 3.413 refers to the amount of BTU that is equivalent to 1 Watt of energy. Therefore, a 1500 W heater will have a BTU rating of 1500 W X 3.413 = 5119.5 BTUs. This simply means that an electric heating appliance with a wattage rating of 1500 W can deliver 5119.5 Btus of heat. However, adjusting the appliance to a lower setting of 500W will produce about 1700 BTU of heat. In short, the higher the BTU rating of an electric fireplace, the higher its power/ electricity consumption will be. 

With that in, a standard (1500 W) electric fireplace generates about 5000 BTUs of heat, almost the same as a residential space heater, making it ideal for warming a small- to medium-sized room. However, some electric fireplace manufacturers make more powerful appliances that can deliver up to 7500 – 10000 BTUs, which is ideal for heating larger rooms, but at increased energy costs. 

How much electricity do electric fireplaces use to heat a room? 

A standard electric fireplace only consumes about 1500 W of electricity. Moreover, if you only use the appliance for decorative purposes (activate the flame without producing heat), the operational cost can range from 0.003 – 3 cents per hour. However, if you set the appliance to produce heat at 50% heat setting, the electric fireplace will use about 9 cents an hour in electricity. In contrast, if you set the unit to produce heat at the maximum level, the electricity cost will increase to 18 cents per hour. 

To sum up, the cost of operating an electric fireplace depends on 3 main factors; the cost of electricity in your area, operating time, and the power consumption of the appliance. As already mentioned, most electric fireplaces on the market have the general maximum specifications of 120 Volts, 12.5 Amps, and 1500 Watts. You can use these specifications to estimate how much electricity a particular electric fireplace model uses. 

Electricity rates

According to the United States EIA (Energy Information Administration), electricity rates tend to vary from one region to another across the country. In the most recent EIA report, the average residential electricity rate in the United States is 15.95 cents per kWh (Kilowatt-hour). Therefore, it will only cost you about 23.9 cents per hour to run an electric fireplace. However, it will cost you as low as $0.005 – $0.05 per hour if you only use it for ambiance. And about $0.09 per hour and $0.18 per hour if you also use it for heating as well at medium and maximum settings respectively. 

Overall, the total electricity cost of running an electric fireplace will be between $50 and $80 per year, assuming that you will not use the appliance every season of the year. Interestingly, this is significantly less than the annual cost of using a gas fireplace, which may cost around $200 – $500 per year. Most estimates suggest that using electric fireplaces reduces the energy usage of an average household by up to 20%. 

Do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity?

To determine whether an electric fireplace consumes a lot of electricity or not, there are various factors you need to put into consideration. Besides, as already mentioned, electric fireplaces generally use about 1kW – 1.5kW per hour, which works out at a cost of around $0.10 – $0.15 per hour. However, this cost can be potentially more depending on factors like; 

• Size of the electric fireplace 

Seeing that there are various sizes of electric fireplaces on the market to choose from, size will play an important role in influencing the electrical usage of these appliances. In most cases, the size of electric fireplaces ranges from 750 W to 1500 W. As you would expect, a fireplace with a 1500W wattage rating will use more electricity than a 750W unit. 

• Type of electric fireplace 

The other factor that will determine if your unit will use a lot of electricity is the type of electric fireplace that you buy. For instance, some electric fireplaces cost more to run because of their design and features. So, before you settle on a particular model, it’s important to check its specifications to determine how much electricity it uses. Alternatively, you can ask the manufacturer or the company you’re buying the appliance from about how much the unit uses. 

• How often do you use your electric fireplace? 

Lastly, how often you intend to use the electric fireplace will increase or reduce the electricity cost of running it. In most cases, this will depend on the kind of climate you live in. For instance, if you live in a warmer climate, you may not need to use the fireplace that often, thus reducing its overall electricity usage. But if you live in a colder environment, you may want to turn on the electric fireplace more often, leading to a higher energy bill. 

Conclusion; Do electric fireplaces use a lot of electricity? 

Most electric fireplaces have a relatively low running cost compared to their gas counterparts. Specifically, they draw about 1500 W and can heat rooms of up to 400 sq ft, while some larger models heat large spaces and consume more energy. However, seeing that electric fireplaces are only intended for zone heating, the standard 1500W model works just fine for most homeowners and renters as they help to keep the energy cost down. At the same time, these units have a stylish look that will enhance your home’s decor, while warming up the space.