A few days ago, my friend bought an electric fireplace for his living room, and he was installing the electric fireplace without any help from a technician but while installing he faced an issue with the clearance needed for an electric fireplace.
So, he called and asked me How Much Clearance Does an Electric Fireplace Need.
I answered his question and told him how much clearance is needed for an electric fireplace. But after some time when I researched this topic more deeply, I learned that many people are asking this question: How Much Clearance Does an Electric Fireplace Need?
The Big Picture (Overview)
| Clearance Area | Minimum Clearance Distance |
|---|---|
| Mantel or Shelf Above | 6 inches |
| Floor | 6 inches (15 cm) |
| Sides (Right & Left) | 6 inches (15 cm) |
| Back | 0 inches (flush to wall) |
| Front (Opening) | 3 Feet |
| Top | 12 inches (30 cm) |
| Bottom | 6 inches (15 cm) |
How Much Clearance Does an Electric Fireplace Need?
Mantel or Shelf Above: For mantel or shelf consider reading the manufacturer’s guidelines because different models require various clearance requirements. Some models may require 6 inches, at the other hand some models may have no requirements for clearance.
Floor: In many manufacturer guidelines it is written and recommended that keeping a clearance of 6 inches (15 cm) for your electric fireplace from the floor is fine.
Sides (Right & Left): Ensure a minimum clearance of 6 inches (15 cm) on both the right and left sides of the electric fireplace.
Back: Generally, the electric fireplace requires no clearance at the back because it can be installed flush to the wall.
Front (Opening): Ensure that your wall-mounted fireplace is installed in a place that maintains a minimum clearance of 3 feet from any combustible or flammable materials.
Top: Ensure there is at least a 12-inch (30 cm) clearance above the electric fireplace at all times.
Bottom: Make sure there is a minimum space of 6 inches (15 cm) left under the electric fireplace.
Is Clearance Matters
Yes, clearance matters for electric fireplaces, clearance is space between the electric fireplace and things in the surroundings to provide safety to them.
To understand better– As you all know electric fireplaces don’t burn wood but instead use a heater to provide warmth to the room, while the heater is doing its job of heating, so if something is too close to the electric fireplace then it will get overheated and eventually it gets damaged or burned because of overheating.
Clearance also opens a room for ventilation and reduces the chance of overheating both things eventually increase the longevity of the electric fireplace.
Flooring and Wall Considerations
It is recommended to use a heat-resistant material for flooring and walls, as it reduces the chances of burning due to constant exposure to heat.
Using heat resistant material for floors and walls reduces the tension massively of damaging floors and walls. And you can relax with your family without the tension of overheating of the floors and walls.
I have seen some cases like this that’s why mentioned this point of taking tension for floors and walls.
Mantel and Shelf Clearances
If your electric fireplace mentioned mantel and shelf clearances, then directly read the manufacturer guidelines for the accurate requirements for clearance.
Keeping the recommended clearance for the unit allows for proper heat dissipation, which helps to avoid the possibility of future fire hazards.
Furniture Placement
After floor and wall, we also have furniture in the house, so for furniture placement, you should keep a required distance from the electric fireplace.
Ensure your furniture is not blocking any air coming from the unit, which if it is doing then eventually both the furniture and the electric fireplace can cause a fire hazard due to overheating.
So, be careful about your furniture placement and keep it mind that furniture is wood which is highly flammable material.
Conclusion: How Much Clearance Does an Electric Fireplace Need?
Clearance is not a one-time process, you have to do it many times in months or years, an inspection of the items that surround the electric fireplace.
Cleaning the place removes dust and debris from the surroundings, which eventually increases the life of the unit and maintains efficiency.