Electric fireplace inserts are a form of electric fireplace that are designed to be inserted into another object such as an existing open fireplace or a bespoke entertainment center build. Inserting an electric fireplace into an existing fireplace makes the original fireplace redundant.

Electric fireplace inserts are a type of fireplace insert; other forms of which can include wood burning and gas.

Fireplace inserts are typically placed inside the firebox of an existing masonry fireplace.

This turns the old, typically wood burning, masonry fireplace into a new gas, electric or wood burning fireplace. The original fireplace can’t be used once a fireplace insert is installed.

See our complete guide on fireplace inserts for more information.

Electric fireplace inserts are also a type of electric fireplace.

Electric fireplaces differ in comparison to other types of fireplace in that they don’t have any real flames and instead create the imitation of flames using light sources and run using electricity only.

An electric fireplace insert is therefore a form of electric fireplace that’s designed to be inserted into an existing masonry fireplace to turn the use of that fireplace to electric.

As an example, below is what our electric fireplace insert looks like.

We’re looking to install it in the masonry fireplace in our kitchen (where we’ve recently removed an old gas fireplace insert.)

The open fireplace our electric fireplace insert will be installed within

It’s here where we can place our electric fireplace insert into the opening of the existing masonry fireplace.

The masonry fireplace with the electric insert placed inside

Electric fireplace inserts are designed to sit over the front wall of existing fireplace and the back portion of the electric insert sits within the firebox.

An insert is designed to cover the opening of the existing fireplace

The back of an electric fireplace insert sits within the firebox of the existing fireplace

While many electric fireplace insert installations are within masonry fireplaces, electric fireplace inserts can also be used in more bespoke installations such as faux mantels or entertainment centres, where the unit will be built around the electric insert frame.