The Best Bedroom Fireplaces Buyer's Guide

What's more relaxing than having a fireplace in your living room? Having a bedroom fireplace where you can warm up from the comfort of your own bed. Bedroom fireplaces aren't nearly as common as fireplaces in a living or dining room. Having a gas or electric fireplace in your bedroom definitely has its advantages, including a cozy place to wind down after a long day.

If you have questions about what kind of fireplace might work in your bedroom, look no further, you've found the right article. We wrote this information with our customers in mind. Our goal here is to lay out all the details so you don't have to do the leg work and can start the fireplace buying process with plenty of information to make the right choice.

1. What makes bedroom fireplaces different from the rest?:

Like a bathroom approved fireplace, these fireplaces are limited in the heat they can put off so they don't overwhelm the room. If you have a fireplace in your bedroom that needs to heat the bathroom as well or vice versa, you could opt for a larger fireplace with a higher BTU capability. But you want to pay attention to how much heat your fireplace puts off before you install it so you aren't stuck with a fireplace that makes the room uncomfortable.

Like other fireplaces, bedroom approved fireplaces have to pass certain safety checks and will have clearances if they are installed near combustible objects. Though, if you need one to fit in a tight spot, you can also look at a zero clearance fireplace. They are insulated and capable of being installed right next to or close by combustible materials.

2. Do's and Dont's of bedroom fireplaces:

DO the math & check for the sq. footage that will work best in your bedroom. Because there are things like insulation, climate, and room size that you need to keep in mind, you can use this BTU calculator to make sure you get the right fireplace for your space.

DO consider what type of flooring you have in your room. Open wood fireplaces are typically not approved for bedroom use. They are also not the best idea if you have carpet. Dragging firewood in and out of a room can ruin the appearance of carpet. Plus, you would need to invest in a hearth rug so flying embers don't catch the carpet on fire. Any other combustible surfaces, like wood and tile, will need a stove board for small stoves or a full hearth if you are installing it into a wall.

DON'T plug an electric fireplace into any outlet in your room. Make sure you have the right wattage and that it is a dedicated outlet so you don't trip the breaker.

DONT get a ventless gas fireplace if you have breathing problems. Ventless gas fireplaces put off very little by-product and are safe for general use. Though, they are not recommended for people with any type of breathing condition.

3. Types:

Vented Gas

For a simple installation, choose a direct vent gas fireplace. You can install this type of fireplace on any exterior wall and it will vent directly outside. You can also vent through the roof and install the fireplace along any wall that has the space for it. Installation usually takes about a day or two. While you won't get the sounds and aroma of a wood fire, gas fireplaces give a room ambiance and often supply more warmth than a wood-burning fireplace. Plus, gas fireplaces can be switch or remote accessible and they require little maintenance.

Vent Free Gas

While direct vent fireplaces aren't incredibly hard to install, a vent free fireplace is going to be less expensive. Vent free fireplaces only require gas line installation. So, you can save quite a bit in setup costs. The great thing is that they put off as much heat as vented fireplaces and no heat is lost up the chimney. Keep in mind that vent free fireplaces can put off moisture as a by-product. If you already live in a humid environment and want a fireplace more for looks, a vent free fireplace may not be the best option for you.

Electric

Electric fireplaces are a great option for a bedroom. They are remote accessible and low maintenance. If you want an electric fireplace above your bed, you should consider putting it in a recessed opening. That will protect you from bumping your head or burning yourself on the fireplace. You also need to consider whether you want a blower or not. If you don't like the idea of a vent blowing directly on you, you can choose not to have a blower or place the fireplace with a blower across the room. Blowers will help circulate the heat and if it's placed across the room, you can enjoy the heat without having it right on top of you.

If you choose not to do a recessed opening, your other option is wall mounting. Wall mounting is good for rooms that don't have a ton of traffic. If you have kids that run through your room frequently, it might be a good idea to consider a recessed opening or framing the fireplace in the wall. This will ensure no one accidentally bumps into it and gets hurt.

Thinking about these small details ahead of time will ensure you get the most use (and enjoyment) out of your electric fireplace.

Ethanol

Ethanol fireplaces are a great option if you want something low maintenance and cost-efficient. Ethanol fireplaces require no installation costs because they are fueled by ethanol that is made from corn, beets, and other vegetables. This means they don't need gas installation and you don't have to frame them into a wall if you don't want to. The ethanol fuel is poured into a burner tray and several models can even be set up on a table. So getting them up and burning is a breeze.

The by-products of ethanol fuel combustion are steam & carbon dioxide. The amount of CO2 put off by burning an ethanol fireplace for 3 hours is similar to burning 2 candles. It's so insignificant, it makes for a very safe option for people who have respiratory issues and want a vent free fireplace but are concerned about their health. Ethanol fireplaces have a max BTU of around 30,000. So, while they are modern and low maintenance, if you need a fireplace that puts off a good amount of heat, an ethanol fireplace may not be the best option for you.

4. Brands:

Empire: Since 1932, Empire has been making hearth products to suit all your heating needs. Empire values their customers & has listened to them over the years & adapted their product line based on changing market needs. They sell a wide variety of gas-operated heaters including vent free & b-vent fireplaces, vent free &vented gas logs as well as fireplace inserts and cast iron stoves. Empire has you covered no matter what you are looking for.

Kingsman: Kingsman has a sturdy reputation for engineering quality products. They make gas fireplaces, inserts and free-standing stoves that are known to last for decades. They've lasted in the hearth industry for 40 decades, so you can trust that you will get nothing but the best quality products and top-notch customer service.

Modern Flame: Modern Flames is a leader in the world of contemporary electric fireplace design. Modern Flames creates fireplaces perfect for residential or commercial settings and pioneered the introduction of linear electric fireplaces all through North America in the late 2000's. No one does modern heating appliances like Modern Flames. You are sure to find a contemporary piece you will love!

Napoleon: Napoleon's claim to fame in the hearth industry is being a jack of all trades. They have one of the widest-ranging assortments of fireplaces and heaters. You can find everything from gas fireplaces, to wood burning fireplaces, to inserts to wood stoves and even outdoor fireplaces. Napoleon doesn't just create a lot of hearth products, they also create some of the most innovative designs and models. If you choose a Napoleon fireplace, you are sure to get something unique and superior in quality.

Superior: Superior Fireplaces manufactures a full line of hearth products including; gas, wood, electric and outdoor fireplaces. They also have wood stoves, fireplace inserts and gas log sets. Superior is a brand known for diverse product lines and over 40 years of exceptional fireplace manufacturing. They craft products worthy to uphold their company name.

5. Installation:

Because electric fireplaces don't require venting and framing is optional, at most this project can cost up to a few hundred dollars and be accomplished in a weekend. Vented gas fireplaces, on the other hand, typically need a professional to install them because they have to be framed into a wall and vented. That process can cost up to $3,000 with rates for plumbers/electricians being $75 - $125 per hour.

If you are a pro-DIYer and want to attempt doing the framing yourself, you will need saws, drills, and measuring tools. If you have to install or reroute pipes/wires inside your house, you can plan on needing plumbing and electrical tools. We don't recommend that you try to install a fireplace on your own unless you have years of experience. If you install electrical or gas lines wrong, that could cause a huge problem. It is best to leave those parts to the pros.

If you opt for professional installation, check the National Fireplace Institute website for a qualified technician. The professionals there are certified in several categories, so you can be sure that you have someone who knows what they are doing.

6. Care/Maintenance

Any fireplaces that are vented will need regular chimney sweeps to ensure creosote and other by-product doesn't build up. Since we are talking about fireplaces in your bedroom, you will also need a hearth rug or stove board to protect your floors. While gas fireplaces won't crackle and pop nearly as much as wood fireplaces, they occasionally can let off a spark that could damage your flooring. Not to mention the heat coming from them can cause damage to combustible surfaces. So, it's best to be safe and use these accessories to protect your home.

In addition to cleaning the vents & covering the floors, you also need to clean glass doors and windows regularly. Glass can fog up and/or get soot built up. Some doors will need to be removed to clean them properly. You can check out this article for step-by-step instructions on taking glass out of your fireplace. Cleaning ethanol fireplaces will be extremely simple. Let the fireplace cool down before cleaning. Then use a soft cloth & warm water to clean the exterior. Abrasive sponges may damage the surface of the burner pan, so do not use those.

With all these tips on installation and design, we hope we have brought you a few steps closer to finding the bedroom fireplace of your dreams. If you have any more questions please call us at 800.203.1642 or browse our library of articles here.