How to install a Wall Mounted electric fireplace 

Although installing a wall-mounted electric fireplace may seem complicated, it’s a relatively simple task that you can do yourself as it doesn’t involve any structural modifications. Instead, you only need to hang it on the desired wall, just like you would with a picture or a flat-screen TV. Better yet, most wall-mounted electric fireplaces even come with the hardware and brackets needed for the installation process. 

However, if you’re mounting a larger unit, you might need some help as these models can be pretty heavy. Other than that, learning how to install a wall-mounted electric fireplace is extremely easy, once you understand the basics! 

Things to consider when installing a wall-mounted electric fireplace. 

Unlike other types of electric fireplaces like free-standing units, a wall-mounted electric fireplace is required to be installed permanently on the wall. For that, there are a few factors you need to consider before you mount it on any wall in your home. Some of these factors include;

• Check the instructions manual to determine how the model of your electric fireplace should be installed onto the wall. Wall-mounted electric fireplaces can either be attached to a bracket that is then installed on the wall or secured directly onto the wall. However, some models used both methods, which is why it’s important to carefully read the instructions manual before you start mounting the appliance onto the wall. 
• Choose a location that is close enough to the power outlet for the appliance’s power cord to reach. In addition, you should choose an area that has adequate clearance to nearby objects as recommended by the manufacturer’s manual. 
• Mark out the locations on the wall for the screws. 
• Drill holes and install wall plugs. 
• Make sure the electric fireplace is firmly attached to the wall. Also, remember to install any other components onto your appliance and plug it into the nearby power outlet. 
• Clearance requirements. In general, you should keep combustible materials like papers, curtains, bedding, clothes, and furniture at least 0.9 m (3ft) away from the front of the fireplace and 1.5 ft away from the sides. More importantly, you should never keep any combustible materials near the rear of the electric fireplace. 

What you’ll need (Tools/ Equipment) to install a wall-mounted electric fireplace 

• Tape measure
• A pencil to mark lumber after getting the correct measurement. 
• Studs to hold the wall brackets in place. 
• A carpenter’s level to ensure the straightness of the studs. 
• Stud finder 
• An electric drill & screwdriver to drive screws and dig holes into the wall. 
• Voltage tester to test the current flowing through the power cords. 
• Screws 
• Utility knife 

Step by Step guide on how to install a wall-mounted electric fireplace. 

Step 1: choose the best location to install your wall-mounted electric fireplace.

As mentioned earlier, the first step is to find the best location in your home to install the wall-mounted fireplace. As a general rule of thumb, the area should be closer to a power outlet. This will help you avoid using an extension cord to supply power to the appliance, which isn’t recommended for safety reasons. Moreover, the main cable should always be at the back of the fireplace and away from any hot element. 

The heat of a wall–mounted electric fireplace can either come from the front, top, or bottom of the appliance. Whichever the case, make sure you consider appropriate clearances from flammable objects around the unit, depending on the type of electric fireplace you’re working with. Also, make sure you refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model. 

For instance, if you’ve got a fireplace that emits heat at the tip, avoid installing it directly under a power outlet as this can heat the cord too much, causing a fire. If you’re planning to hang a TV above the fireplace, front and bottom heat fireplaces are the best choices. Lastly, a wall-mounted electric fireplace that emits heat at the bottom should be at least 1.5 ft off the floor. However, front and top heat appliances don’t have these restrictions, and can, therefore; be installed as low as you wish. 

Step 2: Drill the holes and attach the mounting brackets. 

After choosing the best location for your wall-mounted fireplace, use a stud finder to find the studs or use plastic anchors if the unit is around 50 – 200 lbs. Also, some units may need bottom brackets for extra support. Whichever the case, most wall-mounted electric fireplaces come with the brackets and all the hardware you need to mount the unit onto a wall. 

That said, use a carpenter’s level to align the mounting bracket and make the holes that need to be drilled with a pencil. Drill 3 – 10 holes with a diameter of about 0.28” each. The number of holes will vary depending on the model of electric fireplace you intend to mount. 

Next, insert the wall anchors into the drilled holes with a hammer. Then attach the bracket to the wall by fastening the included anchor screws into the wall anchor. 

Step 3: Hang the electric fireplace into the mounting bracket. 

Hang the slot behind the wall-mounted electric fireplace on the tools at the right & left sides of the mounting bracket. Make sure you hole the appliance tightly while hanging it to avoid dropping it down before the installation process is complete. Lock the mounting bracket at both ends with a screw to secure the fireplace and the bracket. 

Step 4: Hang the glass panel. 

Once the electric fireplace is secured and attached to the mounting bracket, clean the glass panel and reattach it to the appliance. Fasten the glass panel with fasteners to prevent it from shifting or slipping. 

Step 5: Plug in the power cord and test the appliance. 

After successfully mounting the electric fireplace on the wall, plug in the power cord and turn it on to start heating your home. If the appliance’s power cord has 3 prongs, you can plug it directly into a standard outlet. However, if the power cord doesn’t have 3 prongs, you must use an adapter that is properly grounded to the outlet box for safety reasons. 

Final Word 

Overall, installing a wall-mounted electric fireplace isn’t a difficult task. Instead, it’s a relatively simple task that anyone can do with some basic DIY skills and a few tools that are readily available at various hardware stores. However, if you are still uncertain about how to install a wall-mounted electric fireplace, I’d recommend that you hire a professional for guidance.