The use of electric fireplaces has increased tremendously over the past few years. The reasons behind this trend are quite simple:
- Cost-effectiveness
- Environmental friendly
- Easy installation and maintenance
All of you would agree with this statement. Isn’t it? But like any other heating option, it also comes with its fair share of issues.
Hold on! You don’t have to worry too much. Like any other heating system, an electric fireplace uses several electrical components, and the chances that they might get dirty, faulty, or damaged with time is pretty high.
When the electrical components are affected, they can make the device to do the following: turning on or off, heating issues, clicking noise, squeaking, or even flame disturbances.
To fix these common fireplace issues you might be tempted to call a professional.
However, you need to know that some of these issues can be solved by yourself without any external help.
How To Fix Common Electric Fireplace Issues Alone?
1. If It Won’t Turn ON
Since the name is ‘electric fireplace’ obviously it will require electricity to work.
Before starting the device, you have to check if it’s plugged in. If it doesn’t work even being plugged in you have the check the outlet in the wall to see if there is electrical current in it.
Always check first if you have electrical energy in the outlet used by the fireplace, because a faulty electrical fuse can stop electricity from reaching exactly that outlet.
If everything is fine with the outlet, and the electric fireplace is plugged in, but doesn’t start, you can try the following:
- Make sure that it’s not placed in a confined place that’s causing an obstruction.
- If your system uses a remote, check if the batteries are working properly. If not, change them right away.
- Thoroughly check if there is any faulty wiring causing the hassle.
2. Flame Effect Doesn’t Work Properly
If everything is fine and the power is on, the heating effect needs to work properly.
However, if you feel that something has changed, despite the fact that electric fireplaces don’t actually use real flames, you have to check what is the problem.
The realistic effect of the flames has the role to make you feel the specific ambiance created by a real fireplace but of course, without the specific smoke.
If the flames don’t work properly you have to check and maybe replace a few things.
Start with the light bulbs to see if they work. If they are burnt out, try to replace them.
If this doesn’t solve the problem, you have to check the rod.
By learning how to fix the flame on electric fireplace will help you solve many issues with your device.
If you hear some strange noises coming out your unit, try to fix the problem by lubricating all the metal parts of the device. Include the flame motor and use WD-40.
The problems with the flame can also be caused by other reasons, such as: loose connections or temperature issues.
3. It Works But It Doesn’t Blow Air
If your fireplace starts, you can see the flames, but if you don’t feel hot air coming out, you have to check if the fan works properly.
If you are lucky and the company that produced the fireplace provides spare parts, you can buy a new fan to replace the faulty one.
To replace the fan, you have to remove all the screws and extract the device from the wall. After that you have to unplug the cable from the outlet.
The fan is located under the fireplace, so to replace it, you have to get access to that area.
Once you replace the fan, put everything back as it was, reconnect the cable in the wall and start the fireplace.
You must feel again the hot air coming out of your electric fireplace once you installed a new fan.
4. It Doesn’t Provide Heat
What happens if suddenly, your fireplace starts blowing out cold air instead of hot air?
Your electric fireplace is producing heat using the coils that get hot once you start the device.
The fan located under the fireplace will blow hot air again heating the room.
When the fan works properly, but the coils don’t get hot, you may have a loose wiring.
If the coils are the problem, you can replace them. After you fix this, try to turn the device back on.
If the device works properly now, you just solved the problem, and this means that your room will become cozy again.
However, if the device continues to send cold air, you have to check the thermostat.
Check if the thermostat works by switching to a higher temperature to see if the fireplace kicks in.
If the thermostat has no effect in your fireplace try fix it.
Final thoughts
An electric fireplace comes in handy when you are trying to create a cozy and vintage ambiance in your home. However, if it stops working unexpectedly, it will affect your comfort right away.
To better understand how your device works, start with the instruction manual or the tips mentioned above.
Some of these tips might help you solve the problem without calling a professional.
For spare parts contact the manufacturer of the device, or a store that sells spare parts for electric fireplaces.
If the problem is more serious, you can call a professional.
