Are Electric Fireplaces Safe to Leave On At Night? [Important Tips]

Cold nights can get really uncomfortable, even if you’re accustomed to it. So, the need for constant comfort and warmth can cause you to not only seek out the most effective electric fireplace, but also to run it for as long as possible, even overnight.

Electric fireplaces do not require any fuel to run, only electricity, and so the temptation to leave it running is ever-present. This begs the question; is it safe to run one overnight? Can you sleep with an electric fireplace on?

All of these questions will be tackled in this post. Then at the end, you decide which electric fireplace is right for you at this time.

Can Electric Fireplaces Run Continuously?

The simple answer is Yes. As we stated earlier, running an electric fireplace does not require gas or firewood, just constant electricity to generate heat to be distributed and special flame effects.

That means as long as you have power, you can run your fireplace for as long as you want. Although this may have severe consequences on your electricity bill.

Also, there may be other concerns that may come up as you continue to use the appliance all night. We’ll address them subsequently.

Recommended Electric Fireplaces to Leave On Overnight

If you are in hurry, please check below selected elected fireplaces that are safe to leave on overnight:

Is It Okay to Leave Electric Fireplaces On Overnight?

Well, there are two sides to this coin. On one side you may not be in any imminent danger if you leave the fireplace overnight. On the other side, you are always advised to put it off when night comes.

Also, one important thing you must take critically is that you may not find any specific instruction on how long you can run your electric fireplace before you will need to turn it off.

But, the instruction manual clearly suggests that you should not leave your electric fireplace unattended for any reason.

One major reason why it is not advisable to leave your electric fireplace running overnight is that it requires constant monitoring to guarantee safety which you will not be able to do overnight.

In the case where you want to run your fireplace continuously, there are certain safety measures that are regarded as common practice when dealing with electric fireplaces, and you must follow them.

To reduce or completely eliminate any risk that you may encounter while using your electric fireplace overnight, you are advised to (Important Tips):

• Always ensure the electric fireplace is unplugged anytime it is not in use.

• Ensure that the whole unit is not covered, especially the outlet of the appliance. This will aid ventilation and reduce the likelihood of overheating.

• Ensure you never leave the appliance unattended.

• Create a 1m space between the electric fireplace and the nearest object in its surrounding.

• Ensure you do not use your electric fireplace on carpets that are long piles.

Many high-priced electric fireplaces may also include a special integrated thermostat feature that enables the fireplace to automatically be turned off when it has heated the room to the desired temperature.

An electric fireplace with a thermostat will automatically turn itself on and off to regulate the room temperature.

Some electric fireplaces are also equipped with several features that are strictly for safety such as the automatic thermal regulator which will shut off the appliance if the temperature inside the unit gets to a point where it is too hot as a result of the prolonged operation.

Can You Sleep with An Electric Fireplace On?

At face value, you can, especially in the thick of winter. However, the need to always turn off your unit if you are leaving your home or trying to catch some sleep cannot be overemphasized.

While you may not be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning seeing as there are no fuels burned to give you heat, there are other concerns that you must treat as a priority if you are going to remain safe. They include the risk of the appliance overheating and the risk of a fire hazard.

Apart from these concerns, there are also exorbitant operational costs that must be avoided. For electric fireplaces, excessive power consumption is a real and ever-present concern.

Typically, an electric fireplace can consume as much as 1,500 watts of electricity.

However, you may be able to significantly cut down on operational costs if you decide to use the fireplace sometimes for its aesthetic effect rather than its heating effect. That is just using its flame effects without actually using heat also.

Top 3 Safest Electric Fireplaces to Use for Long Hours (Overnight)

1. 5 Sunday Living Electric Log Set Heater, Insert Fireplace Heater

This appliance is not regarded as one of the top models on the market for no reason. It measures about 20.65 x 8.7 x 12.2 inches and produces a very realistic 3D flame effect that completely changes the outlook of the whole room.

You can even use this effect without heat as its ambiance is often enough. It is designed with an 8-hour timer that helps you time the duration which the appliance will heat your home, after which it will automatically turn off.

It provides up to 5000 BTU and about 1500 watts and can be used in any room in the home, thereby providing a warm and accommodating environment for the whole family.

This appliance is also protected against overheating, that means that it will switch off automatically if it begins to overheat after being used for long hours. Its portable design means you can easily move it about into any room you want, and whenever you want.

Pros

• Energy saving feature.
• Family friendly.
• Portable.
• Equipped with a remote control.
• Creates a beautiful and artistic ambience in your room.

Cons

• Occupies wider space.

2. LIFEPLUS Electric Fireplace Log Set Heater

This appliance is super easy to install and can be installed in just about any setting, from your office or den to your bedroom or living room, and effectively provides warmth, ambiance and comfort.

When you speak of an electric fireplace you can use safely for longer hours, not many models out there can stand up to this Life Plus electric fireplace.

While using for long hours may be unsuitable for most models, the manufacturers of this product have managed to significantly cut down on some of the risks with this appliance.

Users are guaranteed extra safety with features like its overheating protection, and its 8-hour timer that doesn’t just ensure the safety of your appliance but also of your family and pets.

You can also use this device easily with a remote without even needing to get off the couch. One added bonus with this model is that even after turning it off, you can still enjoy 30 seconds of heat is distributed in your room.

Pros

• Easy to use.
• Cost effective.
• Realistic flame effect.
• Overheating protection.
• Post shut-off heating for 30 seconds.

Cons

• Logs may break overtime.

3. Duraflame 3D Infrared Electric Fireplace Stove

You can never go wrong with this powerful and authentic electric fireplace that not only adds beauty to your home but also provides adequate distribution of heat. It has a unique standalone cabinet design that is synonymous with class and sophistication.

The fact that it is infrared heating means you have nothing to worry about burns or overheating. This is why it is one of the safest electric fireplaces out there.

Measuring about 24 inches in width, 23 inches in height and 13 inches in depth, this appliance fits perfectly in any part of your room.

It doesn’t take up so much space compared to other bigger designs and yet manages to be as efficient in its distribution of heat as other bigger models.

As for its design, it features aesthetically pleasing LED lighting as a flame and real-looking logs. The settings of the LED flames can be adjusted to various brightness settings.

This appliance is capable of pumping out up to 5,200 BTUs. This is sufficient enough to heat up a room of about 1,000 square feet for long periods of time.

It is also perfectly safe for use in homes with kids and pets and comes with a remote control that enables you to access most of the appliance’s settings without ever needing to even be so close to it.

Pros

• Safe to use around children and pets like dogs, cats, hamsters etc.
• Beautifies your bedroom, office or living room.
• Could pass for a traditional fireplace.
• Durable metallic structure.

Cons

• Increases electricity bill.

Final Comments:

Making the right decision on the type and nature of an electric fireplace heater that will be right for your home or office is very important.

This is because if you take it lightly and purchase one that is not suitable for a specific space, it might not only be uncomfortable but can also cause unnecessary accidents.

Some factors to consider when deciding which electric fireplace to buy include; size, heating power, installation, size, etc. These top-level fireplaces utilize very real-looking LED lights that take you away from your current reality, into the reality of traditional fireplaces.

It is also important you follow the manufacturing manuals ardently in order to ensure your fireplace lasts for a very long time.