Built-in Electric Fireplaces

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What Is a Built-In Electric Fireplace? A built-in electric fireplace, also called an in-wall electric fireplace, recesses into a framed wall for a flush, custom look, typically hardwired rather than plugged in. No venting, chimney, or gas line is required, just an electrician to run power to the opening. Linear or Traditional Profile Most models in this collection are wide-format linear fireplaces suited to a modern feature wall. A number are built around more traditional proportions instead, sized to sit inside a mantel surround, several of these are also classified as electric fireplace inserts, worth a look if you're retrofitting an existing masonry opening rather than building new. Single-Sided, See-Through, or Multi-Sided Most fireplaces here are single-sided. A few offer 2-sided, see-through viewing for a wall that divides two rooms, including the Napoleon CLEARion Elite and Modern Flames Nova Clear, currently the only two see-through electric fireplaces on the market with independently controlled heat on each side. Several other models offer full 3-sided viewing for a more open, architectural placement. Heat Output and Room Coverage Most electric fireplaces run around 5,000 BTU, enough to supplement the heat in roughly 450 to 500 square feet, they're built for zone heating a specific room, not as your home's primary heat source. Select models with a ceramic heater hardwired to a 240V outlet roughly double that output, reaching up to 1,000 square feet. See our Electric Fireplaces with Powerful Heaters collection if maximum heat is the priority. Electric fireplaces put out less raw heat than gas or wood-burning fireplaces, but they're the only option with zero emissions and no venting at all, that's the tradeoff: less heat output, in exchange for a truly ventless install and cleaner indoor air. Installation Built-in models require hardwiring into a framed wall opening, a licensed electrician's job in most cases. Wall depth requirements vary by model; see our Re