If you already have a fireplace opening — wood-burning, gas, or even a non-working decorative one — an electric fireplace insert is often the simplest, fastest upgrade you can make. No venting, no gas line, no chimney maintenance, and in most cases, no contractor required. Here's everything to know before buying one.
What Is an Electric Fireplace Insert?
Unlike a wall-mount or freestanding electric fireplace, an insert is specifically designed to slide into an existing fireplace opening — replacing a wood-burning firebox or an old gas unit with a self-contained electric heater and flame display. It uses your fireplace's existing opening as its housing, so from the outside, it still looks like a built-in fireplace.
This makes it the go-to choice for anyone with a fireplace they've stopped using because of the mess, maintenance, or cost of running gas or wood — without the expense of demolishing and rebuilding the opening itself.
Step 1: Measure Your Existing Opening — Precisely
This is the single most important step, and the one people skip. Electric inserts are sized to fit specific firebox dimensions (width, height, and depth), and unlike a wall-mount unit, you can't simply pick a size you like — it has to physically fit your existing opening. Measure width, height, and depth of your firebox before shopping, and check each product's exact dimension specs rather than assuming a generic size will fit.
Step 2: Decide How Much Heat You Need
Most electric inserts are rated by BTU output and square footage coverage — for example, the Amantii Fire & Ice RusticStone puts out 10,000 BTU, enough to meaningfully warm a living room, not just add ambiance. If you're converting a fireplace that was your primary heat source for a room, check the BTU rating carefully rather than assuming any insert will perform the same as your old unit.
If ambiance matters more than heat to you, some inserts let you run the flame effect with the heater switched off — useful for warm-climate rooms or supplemental fireplaces.
Step 3: Consider the Conversion Type
Not every insert is the same. The Sierra Flame TRD Insert is built specifically to convert an existing fireplace to electric — a straightforward swap for a wood-burning or gas opening. The Fire & Ice RusticStone goes a step further with a decorative rustic stone-look surround built in, so you're not just swapping the firebox — you're updating the whole visual as well.
If your existing surround and mantel are in good shape and you just want to replace what's inside the opening, a straightforward insert is the simpler, usually less expensive choice. If your whole fireplace face needs a refresh too, a styled insert with an integrated surround saves you a separate renovation step.
Step 4: Look at Smart Features
Modern electric inserts commonly include WiFi app control — the RusticStone's smart control lets you adjust flame color, brightness, and heat remotely, which is genuinely useful for scheduling the fireplace to be warm and lit before you're even in the room.
Installation: Easier Than You'd Expect
This is one of the biggest advantages of an electric insert over a wood or gas conversion: most units are plug-and-play once the insert is physically placed into the opening — no venting, no gas line, no chimney work. That said, if the insert's wattage requires a dedicated electrical circuit, common for higher-heat-output units, it's worth having an electrician confirm your circuit can handle it before installation, especially in older homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put an electric insert into a wood-burning fireplace?
Yes — this is one of the most common use cases. Just confirm your firebox opening dimensions match the insert's required size.
Do electric fireplace inserts actually heat a room?
Many do, depending on the BTU rating — check the specific model's heating capacity rather than assuming all inserts perform the same. Some are designed primarily for ambiance with minimal heat output.
Do I need an electrician to install one?
Often not, if it plugs into an existing standard outlet. Higher-wattage units may require a dedicated circuit — check the product's electrical requirements and consult an electrician if you're unsure.
How much should I budget?
Electric fireplace inserts typically range from $700-$2,500+ depending on size, BTU output, and whether a decorative surround is included.
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