Electric Fireplace Buying Guide UK: Running Costs, Safety and Choosing the Right One
An electric fireplace gives you the look of a log burner without a chimney, a flue or any installation work. It's still an electric heater underneath, though, so it costs what any electric heater costs to run, and the same safety rules apply. Here's what a 1850W model costs per hour at current rates, how big a room it suits, and what to check before you buy.
The quick answer
An electric fireplace is a heater with a flame effect, so its running cost depends on its power rating and your electricity rate, not on how realistic the flames look. A 1850W (1.85kW) fire costs about 49p per hour at the current price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh, and by the common rule of 100W per square metre it suits a room of roughly 18m². Keep it at least one metre from curtains and furniture, plug it straight into a wall socket rather than an extension lead, and never leave it running unattended or while you sleep.
What an electric fireplace actually is
A freestanding electric stove is a self-contained unit that plugs in and sits on the floor, with no chimney, flue or fitting needed. Most combine two things: an LED-style flame effect, and a heater (this one is listed as a fan-assisted model). The flame is decoration, and the heat comes from the heating element, which is where nearly all the electricity goes. That's why a more realistic flame doesn't change the cost of heating, and why the sensible way to compare models is by kilowatt rating, heat settings and controls.
What it costs to run
Electricity cost is power in kilowatts multiplied by hours used, multiplied by your unit rate. The national price cap rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026 is 26.32p per kWh, so at the full 1850W (1.85kW) rating:
| Time running at full power | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| 1 hour | 49p |
| 2 hours | 97p |
| 3 hours | £1.46 |
| 4 hours | £1.95 |
| 4 hours every evening for 30 days | about £58 |
Treat that as the ceiling rather than the typical figure. The cap rate is a national average, so your own tariff may be higher or lower, and the thermostat on this model lets it cycle off once the room is warm, which can bring real-world use below the full-power number. The lower of its two heat settings also draws less than the full 1850W, so check the manual for its exact wattage. If you want a quick sense of how this compares, a 1.5kW fire is about 39p per hour and a 2kW fire about 52p per hour at 26p per kWh, so the cost scales in a straight line with the rating.
How big a room will it heat?
A widely used UK rule of thumb is around 100 watts of heating per square metre of floor space to reach a comfortable 21°C, so 1850W suits roughly 18m². For reference, the same guide lists about 1,000W for a 10m² double bedroom, 1,500W for a 15m² average living room and 2,000W for a 20m² large living room.
That figure is for a typical room. You'll need more output in rooms with poor insulation, single glazing, solid walls, high ceilings, several external walls or a north-facing aspect, and well-insulated rooms can do with less. For most homes an electric fireplace works best as extra heat in the room you're sitting in, rather than as a replacement for central heating.
What this model offers
The 1850W Flame Effect Electric Free Standing Fireplace (£98.66) is a freestanding black cast-iron-effect stove with an opening door. Its listed features are:
- 1850W output with 2 heat settings
- an adjustable flame dimmer
- a built-in thermostat
- an automatic thermal cut-off device that switches the heater off if it overheats
Those controls cover the basics that matter most in a heater: a thermostat to stop it running at full power all evening, a cut-off for overheating, and a choice of heat level.
What to check before buying any electric fire
A few details are worth confirming whichever model you choose:
- Dimensions, so it fits the space with the clearances below around it.
- Whether the flame runs without the heat. Many electric fires let you run the flame effect alone, which uses considerably less power than the heater, and that's useful on mild evenings.
- Noise. Fan-assisted heaters make some sound, so listen to how it will sit in a quiet bedroom or lounge.
- Plug and cable length, so it reaches a wall socket without needing an extension lead.
- Controls, such as a thermostat, a timer or a remote, depending on how you'll use it.
Safety: the rules that matter
Electrical Safety First's portable heater guidance is clear, and it applies to a freestanding electric stove too:
- Keep it at least one metre away from anything combustible, such as curtains, furniture and paper.
- Avoid extension leads. They can be overloaded, so plug a heater straight into a wall socket. At 1850W this fire draws roughly 8 amps from a 230V supply, comfortably within a standard 13A socket on its own.
- Never leave it unattended while it's on, and never run it while you sleep.
- Never cover it or block the opening at its base. The listing carries this same warning.
- Check the plug and socket for burn marks or heat, and unplug immediately if you notice either.
- Fit and test smoke alarms nearby, and buy from a reputable retailer rather than a third-party seller or second-hand.
Making it part of the room
Put the stove where it's easy to keep the one-metre clearance, so away from curtain hems, rug edges and soft furnishings that sit near the floor. Warm lighting makes the flame look better in the evening, and the layering advice in our Home Lighting Buying Guide pairs well with it. For ideas on making a room feel warmer without raising the heating bill, see Cosy Autumn Home Ideas 2026.
FAQ
How much does it cost to run an electric fire? At the national price cap rate of 26.32p per kWh, a 1850W fire costs about 49p per hour at full power. A 1.5kW fire costs roughly 39p an hour and a 2kW fire about 52p. Your own rate may differ.
Is the flame effect cheaper to run than the heat? Yes. Running the flame alone uses considerably less power than the heater. Check that the model you choose allows the flame to run without the heat.
What size room will a 1850W electric fire heat? By the rule of around 100W per square metre, about 18m² in a typical room. Poorly insulated rooms, high ceilings and several external walls need more output.
Can I leave an electric fire on overnight? No. Electrical Safety First says never to leave a heater unattended while it's on or while you're asleep.
Can I plug an electric fire into an extension lead? It's best not to. Electrical Safety First advises plugging heaters directly into a wall socket because extension leads can easily be overloaded.
Does an electric stove need a chimney or installation? No. A freestanding electric stove needs no chimney or flue. It plugs into a socket, so the main considerations are space, clearances and your electricity cost.
