Gas vs Electric Fireplace: About 12 Cents an Hour to Run

By Joye Updated October 24, 2026 14 min read

On this page 9 sections

Gas Fireplace vs Electric Fireplace at a Glance
Heat Output and Suitable Room Size for Each Fireplace
Running Costs of Gas and Electric Fireplaces
Safety Considerations for Gas and Electric Fireplaces
Noise Levels of Gas and Electric Fireplaces
Installation Needs and Expenses for Each Fireplace
Expected Lifespan of Gas and Electric Fireplaces
Checklist Before Buying and Installing Your Fireplace
Frequently Asked Questions

Short answer

Gas fireplaces suit larger rooms and higher heat needs, while electric fireplaces fit smaller spaces and easier installation. Choose based on your heating goals, budget, and home setup.

Many believe gas fireplaces always heat better and cost less, but that’s only half true. Gas models deliver more intense heat but come with venting and installation costs. Electric fireplaces heat moderately, cost less upfront, and avoid venting but can run higher on electricity. This head-to-head compares the two so you can pick the right one for your space and wallet.

Key takeaways

Gas fireplaces produce more heat and are better for larger rooms.

Electric fireplaces cost less to install and require no venting.

Running costs depend heavily on local gas and electricity prices.

Electric units operate silently; gas fireplaces usually generate some noise.

Safety concerns differ: gas needs CO alarms and vent maintenance; electric needs electrical checks.

Gas Fireplace vs Electric Fireplace at a Glance

Factor	Gas Fireplace	Electric Fireplace
Heat Output and Room Size	Higher heat output for larger spaces; exact capacity varies by model.	Usually about 5,000 to 10,000 BTU equivalent and 1 to 1.5 kW; better for supplemental heat.
Running Cost	Depends on gas price, fuel use, and fireplace efficiency.	Depends on the 1 to 1.5 kW heat setting and local electricity rate.
Safety	Requires correct venting, professional installation, and a working carbon monoxide alarm.	Avoids combustion and carbon monoxide, but still needs clearance and overload protection.
Noise	May produce burner, gas-flow, and blower noise.	Usually limited to a low-level fan; noise varies by model.
Installation	May require a gas line, venting, chimney work, and professional installation.	Usually needs a suitable 120 V wall outlet and no gas line or chimney.
Lifespan and Repairs	Service needs vary by model and can include gas controls, burners, venting, or blowers.	Common repairs include the fan, heater, control board, or LED flame module; electric fireplaces commonly last about 10 to 15 years.

Choose Gas Fireplace if…

Choose a gas fireplace for a larger room or a higher heat demand, especially when your home already has suitable gas service and venting. Have the gas connection and venting handled by a qualified professional.

Choose Electric Fireplace if…

Choose an electric fireplace for easier installation, supplemental heat, lower combustion risk, or a room without a gas line. Product 2 suits a small space up to 300 square feet, while Product 1 is designed for rooms up to 1,000 square feet.

Best for large rooms

Duraflame Electric Fireplace Stove

Best for Supplemental heat and flame effects in rooms up to 1,000 square feet

Product 1 combines infrared heat with an adjustable thermostat and separate flame controls, so you can run the glow without the heat. Side viewing windows, an opening glass door and a brick-style back panel give it a freestanding stove look rather than a plain heater. It suits larger rooms that need supplemental heat, although your insulation and room layout still affect the result.

Heat type InfraredRoom coverage Up to 1,000 square feetControls Adjustable thermostat and flame dialFlame operation Flame effect works with heat turned off

Why it made the cut

Rated for rooms up to 1,000 square feet

Independent flame and heat controls

Portable freestanding stove design

Good to know

Larger than a compact tabletop fireplace

Provides supplemental rather than whole-home heat

Skip it if Skip it if you need a small heater for a desk, tabletop or room up to 300 square feet.

See current pricePaid link · live price on Amazon

Best for small spaces

Burutpike Electric Fireplace Stove

Best for Compact rooms up to 300 square feet where low operating noise matters

Product 2 is the better fit for a small room, tabletop or floor setup where a full-size stove would be awkward. Its brushless DC motor and winglet fan are designed to keep noise below 40 dB, while the 1-to-12-hour timer and temperature range from 59°F to 95°F make short heating sessions easy to schedule. The compact 5.8-pound body also makes repositioning simple.

Power 1,500 WRoom coverage Up to 300 square feetNoise level Below 40 dBTimer 1 to 12 hoursTemperature range 59°F to 95°FDimensions 3.9 D × 14.2 W × 17.1 H inches

Why it made the cut

Heats spaces up to 300 square feet

Noise level below 40 dB

Can sit on the floor or a tabletop

Good to know

Smaller coverage area than Product 1

The compact design suits supplemental heat, not large rooms

Skip it if Skip it if you need fireplace-style supplemental heat across a room larger than 300 square feet.

See current pricePaid link · live price on Amazon

Heat Output and Suitable Room Size for Each Fireplace

Gas fireplaces produce more heat for larger spaces, while an electric fireplace usually supplies about 5,000 to 10,000 BTU equivalent and uses 1 to 1.5 kilowatts. A 1,500-watt electric fireplace can heat up to about 400 square feet under suitable conditions, but insulation, ceiling height and open doorways change the result.

Typical gas fireplace inputs run from 15,000 to 30,000 BTU per hour, giving them more capacity for a whole room or an open-plan area. A gas unit can make sense when you need sustained heat beyond one seating area; an electric model is better for supplemental heat in a bedroom, office or smaller living room. For a broader comparison, see gas vs electric heaters.

Worked example

Say your room is 20 by 20 feet, or 400 square feet, with average insulation and a closed layout. A 1,500-watt electric fireplace is near the stated coverage limit, so it may warm the room gradually but struggle during a deep cold snap. An open doorway to a hallway makes that same heater serve more space than its rating can comfortably handle.

Room20 × 20 ft

Electric input1,500 W

Heat equivalentAbout 5,100 BTU per hour

Stated coverageUp to about 400 sq ft

For heating costs, electric heat is easier to calculate but isn’t automatically cheaper: the result depends on your electricity rate, gas or propane price, fireplace efficiency and how many hours the unit runs. Electric fireplaces draw 1,000 to 1,500 watts, so check the wattage label rather than judging by the flame display. A brighter fake log doesn’t spend extra fuel; the heater does.

Match the output to the room

Choose electric for a smaller, reasonably enclosed space or spot heating. Choose gas when the fireplace must carry more of the home’s heating load, especially in a large room or open plan; installation and venting still determine what can actually be used.

Running Costs of Gas and Electric Fireplaces

A gas fireplace is cheaper to operate only when its fuel cost and delivered heat beat the electric rate in your area; there is no universal winner. Electric fireplaces draw about 1,000 to 1,500 watts, while gas fireplaces burn natural gas or propane and are billed by the therm or gallon.

Heater	Watts	Per hour	Per day (8 h)	Per month (1 days)
1,500 W electric fireplace	1,500 W	26¢	$2.04	$2.04

Calculated at 17¢ per kWh. At 1,500 W, eight hours equals 12 kWh; at 17 cents per kWh, that’s about $2.04 for one night.

The electric math is straightforward: 1,500 W ÷ 1,000 × 8 hours = 12 kWh, and 12 × $0.17 = $2.04. A 1,000-watt unit would use 8 kWh over the same eight hours and cost about $1.36 at that rate. Your electric bill’s price per kWh is the number to substitute.

For a natural-gas example, a fireplace using 40,000 BTU per hour for eight hours consumes 320,000 BTU. Since one therm equals 100,000 BTU, that’s 3.2 therms; at an assumed $1.50 per therm, the fuel cost is $4.80 before any fixed utility charges. Propane is usually priced per gallon, and one gallon contains about 91,500 BTU, so use the supplier’s price and the fireplace’s input rating for that calculation.

Real bills depend on local fuel prices, the heat setting and how often the thermostat cycles the fireplace. A standing pilot also uses gas whenever it’s lit, even when the main burner is off; a fireplace with electronic ignition avoids that particular ongoing burn. Installation cost is separate from operating cost, and gas venting, gas-line work or electrical changes can make the upfront difference much larger than one season of fuel.

Check the input rating

Use the fireplace’s BTU-per-hour input from its data plate or manual, not the room’s advertised heat output. Compare the same number of operating hours and include the pilot-light use when a standing pilot is present.

Safety Considerations for Gas and Electric Fireplaces

Gas fireplace safety depends on sound venting, a working carbon monoxide alarm, and professional installation; electric fireplace safety depends on avoiding overloads, keeping the unit stable, and controlling heat around combustibles. Both types need clearance from curtains, furniture, bedding, paper and other items that can burn.

Gas Fireplace Safety

A gas fireplace can leak fuel or produce carbon monoxide if the burner, vent, heat exchanger or flue develops a problem. Have a qualified gas technician install the appliance, inspect the venting, and check for leaks, then schedule an inspection at least once a year. Keep a working CO alarm near sleeping areas and on each level recommended by your local code.

Never ignore these signs

A gas smell, a yellow or unstable flame, soot, unusual condensation, headaches or a CO alarm requires action. Leave the home if you smell gas or the alarm sounds, avoid switches and flames, and contact the gas utility or emergency services from outside.

Vent-free gas fireplaces need extra caution because their combustion products remain indoors. Some states and cities restrict or ban them, so check local code before buying. An oxygen depletion sensor can shut the burner down when oxygen falls too low, but it doesn’t replace the required room size, ventilation, clearances or a CO alarm.

Electric Fireplace Safety

Electric fireplaces avoid open-flame, fuel-leak and combustion risks, but the heating element still draws substantial current. Plug the unit directly into a wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip, and don’t share that circuit with another high-wattage appliance if it trips the breaker. Leave at least 3 feet around the heater unless the manual specifies a greater clearance.

Look for a tip-over switch, overheat protection and a UL, ETL or CSA listing. Set a freestanding unit on a stable floor, keep its air intake clear, and don’t run it while sleeping or away from home unless the manufacturer specifically allows it.

Noise Levels of Gas and Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplace noise is usually limited to a low-level fan, while gas fireplace noise can include the burner, gas flow and a blower. For a bedroom or quiet living room, an electric model is usually the less noticeable choice.

An electric fireplace may make a soft fan sound when its heating element runs, even if the flame effect itself is silent. Some models use brushless motors, which can reduce motor noise and wear compared with louder fan designs; check the product specifications if quiet operation matters more than the flame display.

Gas fireplace noise varies with the burner and vent design. Ignition can make a brief click or whoosh, the flame can produce a steady low sound, and a circulating blower adds another layer when switched on. A direct-vent gas unit without a blower may be quieter than one with forced-air circulation, but the room layout and wall construction still affect what you hear.

Check before installation

Stand near a running showroom model or read the manual for blower settings before choosing a fireplace beside a bed, desk or television. A small fan that disappears in a family room can become the star of a quiet bedroom.

Installation Needs and Expenses for Each Fireplace

Electric fireplace installation usually costs less than gas fireplace installation because it needs a 120 V outlet and no gas line, chimney, or vent; an electric fireplace does not need a chimney. Gas installation costs more when the home needs new gas piping, venting, framing, and permits.

Gas fireplaces require a properly sized gas line and an approved vent system, usually direct vent or B-vent, plus professional installation. The installer must confirm clearances, connect the gas, test for leaks, and verify that the vent terminates correctly. Gas connections and venting aren’t good places to practice your weekend plumbing.

Electric fireplaces plug directly into a 120 V wall outlet, with no combustion air or exhaust path. A built-in model may need framing, trim work, or a dedicated circuit; an electrician should handle new wiring, especially when converting a former gas fireplace to electric or adding an outlet where none exists.

Installation time follows the same pattern: a freestanding electric unit can often be positioned and connected quickly, while a built-in electric fireplace takes longer if the wall needs framing or electrical changes. Gas work generally takes longer because the installer may need to route pipe, fit the vent, obtain approval, and coordinate an inspection. An existing compatible gas line and vent can reduce the work.

Zero-clearance and masonry fireplaces can work with either replacement approach only when the new fireplace’s listing and installation manual allow it. A masonry opening isn’t automatically suitable for every electric insert, and a zero-clearance box still has required clearances around combustible framing.

What Changes the Quote

The biggest cost swing is the starting point: replacing a unit in a compatible opening is simpler than creating a new opening, gas route, vent, and electrical connection. Ask the installer to separate equipment, labor, permits, venting, gas piping, framing, and finish work.

Expected Lifespan of Gas and Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplace repair usually involves a fan, heater, control board, or LED flame module; electric fireplaces commonly last about 10 to 15 years. Gas fireplaces typically last about 15 to 25 years when they receive regular inspection and service, but a neglected vent, burner, or ignition system can shorten that run.

Gas repairs commonly involve the gas valve, pilot assembly, thermocouple, ignition system, or blower. A technician should diagnose those parts because the valve and burner controls affect fuel delivery and safe shutdown. Annual inspection and cleaning help catch blocked burners, damaged gaskets, and venting problems before they become expensive surprises.

Electric fireplaces have fewer mechanical parts and no burner or flue, so maintenance is lighter. Dust can still restrict the fan, and the heater, thermostat, switch, circuit board, or LED flame module can fail. For duraflame electric fireplaces, check the model manual for approved replacement parts before ordering; a compatible-looking module may still have the wrong connector or control.

Replacing one failed component usually makes more sense than replacing the whole fireplace when the cabinet, wiring, and controls remain sound. A complete replacement is more sensible when several parts have failed, the correct module is unavailable, or repair labor approaches the cost of a new unit. Unplug an electric fireplace before opening any panel, and leave gas diagnosis to a qualified technician.

Checklist Before Buying and Installing Your Fireplace

Before buying or installing a fireplace, check your home’s ventilation and electrical capacity, local codes on vent-free gas units, and whether you have a suitable gas line or electrical outlet. Confirm your room size and heating needs to pick the right type. Also, plan for professional installation if required, especially for gas models.

Confirm Before You Buy

Measure the room and decide how much heat you need. Match the fireplace’s rated output to the space instead of buying by flame display alone.

Look for an existing gas line, shutoff valve, chimney, or approved vent route. A gas model needs the venting its installation manual specifies.

Check the outlet location and circuit capacity for an electric model. A 1,500 W heater draws about 12.5 A at 120 V, so don’t share a marginal circuit with other high-draw appliances.

Choose freestanding, insert, or built-in installation. Confirm the electric unit is approved for the existing gas fireplace box before planning an insert conversion.

Check local building and fire codes, permit requirements, and any rules for vent-free gas fireplaces before ordering.

Arrange professional installation for a gas fireplace, including gas connections, venting, and required inspections.

For gas, verify a working carbon monoxide alarm near sleeping areas and on each level as local guidance requires. Test it before the first fire.

For electric, confirm tip-over and overheat protection, a UL, ETL, or CSA listing, three feet of clearance, and a direct wall connection—never an extension cord or power strip.

Before Removing Gas Equipment

Don’t simply cap a gas line or reuse an old box by guesswork. Have the gas supply made safe, then confirm the electric fireplace’s clearances and electrical requirements before closing the opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert my gas fireplace to electric?

Yes, in some cases, an electric insert or freestanding unit can use the existing fireplace opening. The opening, clearances, and electric unit listing must match, while a qualified professional should disconnect and safely cap the gas supply; don’t simply leave the gas line unused.

Do electric fireplaces need a chimney or venting?

No, an electric fireplace produces heat without combustion, so it doesn’t need a chimney, flue, or exhaust vent. Plug it directly into a suitable wall outlet, never an extension cord or power strip, and follow the required clearance around the unit.

Which fireplace is cheaper to operate daily?

The cheaper option depends on your local electricity rate, gas price, fireplace efficiency, and how much heat you use. A 1,500-watt electric fireplace running for 8 hours uses 12 kWh; at 17 cents per kWh, that’s about $2.04 for the day, while a gas fireplace requires its fuel use and price to calculate fairly.

Are gas fireplaces safe to use indoors?

An indoor-rated gas fireplace can be safe when its venting is installed correctly, the burner and controls are maintained, and a working carbon monoxide alarm is nearby. Vent-free gas fireplaces face restrictions in some states and cities, so check local code before buying; outdoor, patio, and construction heaters don’t belong indoors.

How noisy are electric fireplaces compared to gas?

Electric fireplaces usually make a low fan sound, while gas models may add burner, gas-flow, and blower noise. Noise varies by model; Product 2 lists operation below 40 dB, along with a timer and adjustable heat settings.