No matter the time of year, a fireplace provides a certain ambiance and charm that simply can’t be beat. And you don’t have to be in a sticks-and-bricks home to enjoy one. In fact, you can create ambiance and even supplement your heating system in your RV with an electric fireplace. 

How Does an Electric Fireplace Work?

There are some electric fireplaces on the market that are merely for looks and just mimic what fire in a fireplace would look like. Other options offer the artificial fireplace look, but also are, in essence, fancy space heaters. The electric fireplaces that provide heat work by drawing in cool air, heating it with a series of coils or an LED bulb, and sending the warm air or light rays into the room with a fan or a metal reflector. They provide a reasonable amount of radiant heat without the mess, fumes, or gasses of combustion fireplaces. 

Because electric fireplaces run on electricity and do not need venting or professional installation, they are a great option to use in RVs! 

Do Electric Fireplaces Throw Off Heat?

The temperature an electric fireplace can reach depends on the size of the room in your RV and the make and model of your unit. If your space is about 100-150 square feet, you would want to consider a unit with a 5,000 BTU rating. 

However, if you’d like the option not to have the fireplace generate heat, especially during the warmer months, look for a model that has a “fire only” mode. 

Can You Leave an Electric Fireplace on Overnight?

In general, it’s best to not leave an electric fireplace on overnight. However, if you do, be sure to follow basic safety precautions. For example, make sure your fireplace model has safety features, such as an automatic shut-off in case the unit overheats, if circuits are overloaded, or if the fireplace is freestanding and falls over. 

Do you have an electric fireplace in your RV? What features do you like best about it? Let us know in the comments or contact us today!