How long does it take to install an electric fireplace?
An electric fireplace is the fastest install we do — a wall-mount plug-in can be up in under an hour, and a recessed or built-in model that's framed into the wall usually takes a few hours to most of a day. No gas line, no venting, no chimney. The main variable is the electrical: a dedicated outlet or circuit, which is where an electrician comes in.
Plug-in in minutes, built-in in hours
Electric is the fastest category we install because there's **no gas line, no venting, and no chimney** to deal with. A **wall-mount plug-in** can be mounted and running in **under an hour** — it hangs like a large TV and plugs into a standard outlet.
A **recessed or built-in** model, like Dimplex's IgniteXL Bold 50 linear, takes longer because it's framed into the wall: we build or confirm the recess, run power to it, set the unit flush, and finish the opening. That's usually a **few hours to most of a day**, depending on the wall work.
The electrical is the real variable
What actually determines the timeline is power. A small plug-in runs off an existing outlet. A larger or **hardwired** built-in may need a **dedicated outlet or circuit** to run safely without tripping a breaker — and that's electrician's work.
Steady Flame is a hearth and gas company, so we don't do electrical service as a standalone trade; we coordinate with an electrician, or work to the circuit you've had run. If a new feature wall is involved, the framing and drywall are finish work that happens around the unit. Get the power sorted and the fireplace goes in fast.
One honest caveat for the mountains
Electric gives you real advantages — flame at the flip of a switch, no venting, no fuel line, safe in almost any room, and a convincing flame that can even run flame-only in summer with the heat off. But be clear-eyed about one thing: an **electric fireplace is dead in a power outage**. It puts out modest supplemental warmth — around 5,000 BTU, roughly 1,500 watts, good for up to about 400 square feet — and none of it when the grid's down.
After Helene, that matters here. If **backup heat** is your real goal, a gas or wood unit is the honest recommendation. If ambiance and an easy install are the goal, electric is hard to beat. Call (828) 545-0525.
Related questions
- How long does an electric fireplace last?
- Who handles the electrical outlet needed for a fireplace insert or blower?
- Can I install an electric fireplace myself?
- What does converting a wood-burning fireplace to electric involve?
- Does installing a fireplace require cutting into my walls or roof?
- How long does a gas fireplace last?
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