Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplaces: Height, Wiring and a TV Above

A wall-mounted electric fireplace either hangs on a bracket screwed into wall studs or recesses into a framed wall to sit flush, then plugs into a standard 120 volt outlet or is hardwired by an electrician. Follow your manual’s height and clearance figures; one Dimplex manual puts the bottom at least 24 inches off the floor.

Hanging, recessed or flush: three ways to mount it

Wall-mounted electric fireplaces, often sold as linear fireplaces, go on a wall in one of three ways. Dimplex says most of its linear models can be recessed into a framed wall so they sit flush, and many can also hang on the wall. The Dimplex BLF50 manual lists surface mount, recessed and flush installation for that model.

• Hung on the wall. The quickest job. A bracket goes into the studs and the fireplace hooks onto it.
• Recessed. The unit sits partly inside a framed cavity, so less of it sticks out into the room.
• Flush. The front sits level with the finished wall, for a built-in look.

Recessed and flush jobs need framing. Dimplex says to follow the framing dimensions and clearances in each model’s instructions exactly, and to measure the cavity before you buy.

How high to mount a wall electric fireplace

Mounting height comes from the manual, not from taste alone, and the figures differ between models. Here is what two Dimplex manuals say:

The 3 foot clearance at the front matches the CPSC’s advice for portable electric heaters, which is to keep curtains, sofas, paper and clothing at least 3 feet from the front, sides and rear.

Plug-in or hardwired: what the wiring involves

A plug-in wall fireplace is the simpler choice for most homes. Dimplex says its plug-in linear models use a standard 120 volt outlet and often need no electrician, and its FAQ says plug-in models are treated as appliances, so no permit is needed.

Hardwired models are a job for a pro. Dimplex says hardwired 208/240 volt models need a licensed electrician, usually on a dedicated circuit, and its FAQ says to check local codes for any hardwired unit. Even on a 120 volt model, the BLF50 manual says “a 15 Amp, 120 Volt circuit is required.” It calls a dedicated circuit preferred but not essential in every case, and says one becomes necessary if the breaker trips regularly.

Can a TV go above a wall-mounted electric fireplace?

A TV above an electric fireplace is common, and Dimplex says it can work. Its FAQ says a TV can safely go above most electric fireplaces because the units do not emit heat upward, as long as you follow the clearances in the manual.

Its linear fireplace page adds a caveat: direct the heater’s warm air away from the TV, and check both the clearances and where the heat vent sits on your model. A unit that blows warm air out of the top is a different case from one that heats from the front, so read the manual before you hang the screen.

How wide a wall-mounted fireplace should be

Width is about proportion. Dimplex suggests a unit about half to two-thirds the width of the wall it goes on. On a 9 foot wall, that points to something between about 4.5 and 6 feet wide. For a recessed install, measure the cavity, not just the wall, before you choose a size.

Other electric fireplace options

If you have more floor than wall, a freestanding stove may suit you better; our guide to small electric fireplaces covers apartments, bedrooms and tiny homes. An unused wood fireplace can take an electric log set or insert instead. For heat output, flame effects and safety rules for every type, see our main electric fireplace guide, and for the rest of the room, how to make a room cozy.