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How much does an electric fireplace cost to run?

By Roof & Router Team. Updated October 11, 2026.

How many watts does an electric fireplace use?

The heater is what costs money. The flames cost almost nothing on most newer models.

Manufacturer specs line up closely for plug-in units:

So the working numbers are 1,500 W on high and about 750 W on low. That is the same draw as a typical plug-in space heater. The 1,500 W figure converts to 1,500 × 3.412 = 5,118 BTU per hour, which matches the Dimplex spec.

How to calculate the cost

Cost = watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × price per kWh

Example: 1,500 W for 5 hours at 18 cents is 1.5 × 5 = 7.5 kWh. Then 7.5 × $0.18 = $1.35.

Use your own rate if you know it. Divide your bill’s total dollars by its total kWh to get an all-in rate. EIA’s forecast 2026 average U.S. residential price is about 18.2 cents per kWh (Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026).

Cost to run an electric fireplace on high heat

These figures assume the heater runs at a full 1,500 W the whole time. A “night” is 5 hours. A month is 30 nights, or 150 hours.

Some states, including Hawaii and parts of New England, pay more than 30 cents per kWh. Use your own rate in the formula above.

Cost on the low heat setting

At 750 W, halve the high-heat figures.

Does the thermostat lower the cost?

Yes. Most units have a thermostat that switches the heating element off once the room reaches the set temperature. The tables above are the worst case.

If the heater runs half the time, cost is half. At 18 cents, that is 1.5 kW × 0.5 × $0.18 = about $0.14 an hour. Dimplex makes the same point and bases its own estimate on a heater cycling at 50%. How often yours cycles depends on room size, insulation, and outdoor temperature.

How much does flame-only mode cost?

Most electric fireplaces let you run the flame effect without heat. The draw varies a lot by model, so check your manual:

• Amantii lists the WM-FM-50-BG at 22 W max with no heater, with LED lamps.
• Napoleon’s UK/European FAQ says the flame effect alone draws 10 to 20 W.
• Dimplex’s own article says its flames use slightly under 300 W without heat.

A 20 W flame effect at 18 cents costs 0.02 × $0.18 = about a third of a cent per hour. Even the 300 W case is about 5 cents an hour.

Is an electric fireplace cheaper than a space heater?

No. Same wattage, same cost per hour. Both are resistance heaters. Every watt of electricity becomes a watt of heat in the room, whatever the cabinet looks like. A 1,500 W fireplace and a 1,500 W space heater cost the same per hour and put out the same heat.

You pay extra only for the flame effect, which is small on LED models. See our space heater cost guide for the same math applied to portable heaters.

Electric fireplace vs gas fireplace: which costs less to run?

A gas fireplace often costs more per hour, but it also makes far more heat.

Gas fireplace burners are much bigger than a 1,500 W element. The Napoleon Ascent 36 is listed at up to 18,000 BTU. The retailer listing doesn’t say whether that is input or output, and Napoleon’s own product page labels it “heat output (max.)” without giving an input figure. If it is output, the burner’s actual gas use, and cost, are higher than the 18,000 BTU row below. The Heat & Glo True 36 is rated at 28,000 to 45,500 BTU per hour input on natural gas. All of these are several times the output of a 1,500 W electric unit.

EIA data put the U.S. residential natural gas price at about $14 to $16 per thousand cubic feet in January to March 2026, the winter heating months. The monthly price runs much higher in summer, when little gas is sold: $26.45 in July 2026. Natural gas holds about 1,037 BTU per cubic foot. At $15 per thousand cubic feet:

Gas cost per hour = BTU per hour ÷ 1,037,000 × $15

Per unit of heat, gas usually wins. 100,000 BTU of electric heat at 18 cents costs 100,000 ÷ 3,412 × $0.18 = about $5.28. Dimplex notes that gas units often advertise 70% to 80% efficiency. At that efficiency and $15 gas, the same heat costs about $1.81 to $2.07. At a lower 60% efficiency, it is about $2.41. Gas prices and fireplace efficiency vary widely, so treat this as a rough guide.

Bottom line: an electric fireplace is cheap for ambiance and spot heat in one room. A gas fireplace is usually cheaper if you want to heat a large space for hours.

How much space can an electric fireplace heat?

Treat the claims as supplemental heat, not whole-room heating for every room. Napoleon lists its 50-inch wall unit at 400 sq ft. A Dimplex plug-in firebox listing claims up to 1,000 sq ft. One Amantii listing gives two different figures on the same page.

Physics limits all of them to the same heat output at 1,500 W. In practice, that output works best for a single, reasonably insulated room. It will not keep up with a drafty great room on a cold night.

Plug-in vs hardwired 240-volt electric fireplaces

Plug-in models run on a standard 120 V outlet and stop at 1,500 W. At 120 V, 1,500 W draws 12.5 A. That uses most of a 15-amp circuit, so run little else on it.

Some built-in linear models can be hardwired. The Dimplex IgniteXL XLF100 can be wired for 240 V, where it produces 2,500 W, or 8,530 BTU per hour. Dimplex’s sell sheet lists it at 1,500 W on 120 V. Hardwiring a 240 V unit should be done by a licensed electrician, often on a dedicated circuit.

At 18 cents, a 2,500 W unit on full heat costs 2.5 × $0.18 = $0.45 an hour. It makes about 67% more heat for about 67% more money. The cost per unit of heat does not change.

Electric fireplace safety

Electric fireplaces have no flame, so they produce no carbon monoxide. They are still heaters and need care:

• Plug directly into a wall outlet. Touchstone says never to use a surge protector, extension cord, or power strip. Napoleon’s manual also warns against extension cords and power strips.
• Do not overload the circuit. Touchstone specifies a 120 V, 15 A grounded circuit. Avoid running other big loads on the same circuit.
• Keep the front clear. Touchstone’s manual requires combustibles at least 36 inches from the front. Clearances differ by model, so follow your manual.
• Do not run the cord under rugs or the unit. Napoleon’s manual says not to route the cord underneath the appliance.
• Look for a safety listing. Napoleon’s manual lists certification to CSA C22.2 No. 46 and UL 2021. Look for a UL, ETL, or CSA mark on the unit.

A portable power station can run flame-only mode but not the heater for long; see what a 1000Wh power station can run.

Quick answers

How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace all night? Eight hours on high at 18 cents costs 1.5 × 8 × $0.18 = $2.16. On low, it costs $1.08. The thermostat often cuts this further. Check your manual on unattended or overnight use. If the plug or outlet feels hot, stop using it.

Can you run an electric fireplace without heat? Yes, on most models. LED flame effects typically draw 10 to 25 W, which costs well under a penny an hour.

Is it cheaper to run an electric fireplace than central heat? It can be, if you heat one room and turn the thermostat down for the rest of the house. Per unit of heat, it usually costs more than natural gas. A heat pump typically delivers 2 to 4 units of heat per unit of electricity, so it usually beats resistance heat like this on cost.