This may seem obvious, but electric fireplaces require electricity to function. If you're installing a wall-mount electric fireplace with a standard wall plug, this part is simple, but other types require some advance planning. A built-in electric fireplace or electric fireplace insert will generally be wired directly into your home's electrical system, which should probably be done by a licensed electrician. Common power supply mistakes include:

• Not putting the fireplace on a dedicated circuit to run the 1500W heater
• Forgetting to check which side of the fireplace the wires will attach to
• Not considering a 240V fireplace and circuit for maximum heat output

Especially important for those considering a built-in electric fireplace or electric fireplace insert, ensuring you find the right size of fireplace is key. For built-in models, you'll be cutting a hole in your wall to fit the fireplace, so it's vital to make sure you have accurate measurements of the fireplace before making that cut. You'll also want to check that the wall is thick enough to accommodate the depth of the fireplace unit.

For electric fireplace inserts that are going to be installed in an existing masonry fireplace, you'll want to take accurate measurements of the width, height and depth of the fireplace opening to ensure you select an electric fireplace that will both fit and fill the opening as closely as possible. When in doubt, we recommend checking the manual and/or specifications of any model you're considering purchasing from us to ensure compatibility. Each model will have different requirements depending on the manufacturer.

This is especially important when you're planning to mount a TV above your fireplace, which is an increasingly popular decor choice. The heat put out by the electric fireplace, while not as much as a gas or wood-burning unit, can still do damage to the TV over time. To ensure safe operation of both your electric fireplace and TV, it's important to check the owner's manual for the fireplace for any recommended or required clearances.

One common (and costly) mistake that customers will make is attempting to install a built-in electric fireplace into a load-bearing wall without making the necessary adjustments to the framing. If you're considering a built-in unit but are unsure if the wall is a suitable location, we strongly recommend bringing in a local carpenter to consult on the project.

Another common problem area is installing an electric fireplace in your bathroom. This has become a popular home decor choice, but it presents some unique challenges. Bathrooms are by their nature a more humid environment than the rest of the house, which can damage an electric fireplace or cause it to malfunction. Some electric fireplaces are approved for bathroom installs, so be sure to check any relevant documentation before buying. In addition, our team of product experts are happy to provide assistance in finding an electric fireplace that can be installed in a bathroom.

While electric fireplaces can be a great supplementary heating option for most homes, they can't generally be relied on as a standalone heater for anything but the smallest of spaces. Generally a 5000 BTU heater, which is what you'll find in most electric fireplaces, can reliably heat a space up to about 400 square feet. If you wire your electric fireplace for 240V, you can expect about 9000 BTU, which can provide heat for up to 900 square feet. This might be enough for a small cabin, but in an average home, that's only going to cover a fraction. This is why we recommend using electric fireplaces for "zone heating" where you place them in the rooms you spend the most time in and use the heat they put out to allow you to lower the temps on your thermostat, saving you money on your heating bill in the long run.