Do Electric Fireplaces Use a Lot of Electricity? (Cost Breakdown)

If you’re thinking about buying an electric fireplace, this question usually comes up pretty quickly:

“Is this going to spike my electric bill?”

Short answer: No—not in the way most people expect.

Here’s the honest breakdown:

• Running the flame effect only costs just a few cents per day
• Running it with heat on max is similar to a space heater
• And when used properly, it can actually help lower your overall heating costs

Let’s walk through what that really looks like in day-to-day use--and if you’re planning your setup, knowing how to safely mount a TV above an electric fireplace becomes part of the bigger picture.

If you’re just using it for ambiance:

• Power usage: ~50–150 watts
• Cost: around $0.01–$0.03 per hour

In real life, that’s:

• Less than running most light bulbs
• Cheap enough to leave on for hours without thinking about it

This is why many people use their electric wall fireplaces year-round—even in warmer months.

Once you switch the heater on, most units pull around 1,500 watts—about the same as a typical space heater.

What does that look like cost-wise?

• Usually somewhere around $0.15 to $0.30 per hour, depending on your local rate
• If you use it for a few hours in the evening, you’re likely looking at around $10 to $30 a month

So yes, it does use real power—but nothing out of the ordinary. It’s in the same range as other small heaters, just built into something that looks a lot better in your space.

Instead of:

• Heating your entire house through central heating

You:

• Turn down your thermostat
• Use your fireplace in the room you're using

Example:

• You’re in the living room at night
• Instead of heating 3–4 empty rooms → you heat just one

That’s where the savings come from.

In many cases, people end up using less total energy, even though they’re running an additional appliance.

Central heating systems (especially electric or HVAC) often:

• Heat the entire house evenly
• Run longer cycles
• Use significantly more total energy

An electric fireplace, on the other hand:

• Targets a specific area
• Runs only when needed
• Gives you more control over usage

That control is what helps keep costs in check.

The way you use your fireplace can affect your actual costs.

Electric Wall Fireplaces

• Great for direct, focused heat
• Ideal for bedrooms or small living rooms
• Efficient when used in enclosed spaces

Electric TV and Media Consoles

• Common in living rooms where people spend the most time
• Naturally encourages zone heating habits
• Combines heat + entertainment area (where you already are)

Amantii Stylish Electric Fireplaces

• Often include more efficient heating systems
• Designed for better heat distribution
• Ideal if you want both performance and a premium look

A few simple adjustments can make a noticeable difference:

• Lower your central thermostat by a few degrees
• Use the fireplace only in occupied rooms
• Close doors to keep heat contained
• Turn off heat when you don’t need it (keep flames on if you want the look)

These aren’t big changes—but they add up.

Not really.

• Flame-only mode: almost negligible
• With heat: similar to a space heater
• Overall impact: often neutral—or even lower—when used for zone heating

The key isn’t just how much power it uses.

It’s how you use it.