Linear Electric Fireplaces

A linear electric fireplace stretches the flame across a wide, low profile firebox that has become the defining hearth aesthetic of modern architecture, often spanning five to eight feet in a single uninterrupted ribbon.

Linear electric fireplaces install in widths from 40 to 100 inches and run on 120 volt or 240 volt power, producing 4,000 to 9,000 BTUs of supplemental heat. The wide flame ribbon is paired with crushed glass, river stone, or driftwood media to create a contemporary fire feature. Every model Fireplace Insider sells ships free nationwide with white glove delivery and is backed by our 20 plus years of hearth industry experience.

We carry linear electric fireplaces from Amantii, Modern Flames, Dimplex, Napoleon, SimpliFire, and British Fires in wall mount, recessed, and three sided peninsula configurations. For traditional drop in models, see our Electric Inserts collection or browse Built-In Electric Fireboxes.

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How to Choose the Right Linear Electric Fireplace

Six factors that determine the right linear electric for your wall and aesthetic.

Pick width by wall proportion, not square footage

Linear electric fireplaces are decorative anchors. The visual rule is to size the firebox between 40 and 60 percent of the wall width. A 12 foot wall reads best with a 60 to 72 inch firebox. A 16 foot great room wall accepts a 80 to 100 inch unit. Heat output is secondary to proportion in this category.

Choose wall mount, recessed, or fully recessed

Wall mount linears hang on a wall like a flat screen TV with 4 to 6 inches of projection. Recessed installation sets the unit flush with finished wall, typically requiring a 6 inch deep wall cavity. Fully recessed three sided peninsula units sit in a center wall and show flame from front and both sides. The framing complexity rises with each step.

Confirm power supply for the width

Linear electric fireplaces up to 60 inches typically run on a standard 120 volt 15 amp circuit. Units 70 inches and wider often require a dedicated 240 volt 20 amp circuit to deliver full 9,000 BTU heat output. Verify the electrical requirement before framing so the rough in is correct on the first try.

Select flame color and media

Premium linear electrics offer multi color flame technology with single, dual, or tri color LED systems that shift between yellow, orange, blue, violet, and red. The ember bed media (crushed glass, river stone, log set, driftwood) sets the style direction. Match the media to your interior aesthetic and use color shifting flame sparingly for evening ambiance.

Plan finish material around the firebox

Linear electric fireplaces work with any non combustible finish material flush with the firebox face, including tile, stone veneer, plaster, and steel cladding. Combustible mantels, shelves, and TVs must remain outside the manufacturer's clearance zones, typically 8 to 12 inches above the firebox top. Verify clearance specs before designing the surround.

Compare flame technology tiers

Entry tier linears use single layer LED projection at 600 to 1,500 dollars. Mid tier units add dual layer flame, multi color, and remote dimming at 1,500 to 3,500 dollars. Premium linears from Modern Flames Orion, Dimplex Ignite XL, and British Fires use holographic or water vapor effects with realism that holds up at conversational distance.

Linear Electric Fireplace Questions

The questions our hearth specialists answer most often before a customer places an order.

How wide can a linear electric fireplace get?

Standard production widths run from 40 to 100 inches in 6 to 12 inch increments. Premium brands offer 120 inch single units, and some manufacturers offer modular systems that combine multiple boxes into runs over 15 feet. The wider the unit, the more important the wall proportion and framing detail.

Can a linear electric be the primary feature wall?

Yes, and that is the typical use. Linear electrics are designed as architectural focal points, with the surrounding tile, stone, or paneled wall framing the flame ribbon. Placement at 16 to 24 inches off the floor gives the best sight line from seated and standing viewing angles in most rooms.

Do linear electric fireplaces produce real heat?

They produce supplemental heat. A 60 inch 120 volt model puts out roughly 5,000 BTUs, enough to warm a 300 to 400 square foot room. A 240 volt unit doubles output to around 9,000 BTUs, suitable for 500 to 600 square feet. They are not whole house heaters. The flame is the primary feature.

Can I install a TV above a linear electric fireplace?

Yes, in most cases. Linear electrics vent warm air forward or upward through a grille at temperatures below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Verify the heat outlet location and follow the manufacturer's minimum mounting height, typically 6 to 12 inches above the firebox top. Heat plume zones are published in the install manual.

How much electricity does a linear electric fireplace use?

Flame only operation on a 72 inch unit draws 40 to 120 watts, about the same as a few light bulbs. With the heater on, draw rises to 1,500 watts on a 120 volt circuit or 2,500 watts on a 240 volt circuit. Daily evening operation at flame only costs less than 10 cents.

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Curated by the Fireplace Insider hearth team

Fireplace Insider is operated by hearth specialists with more than two decades of fireplace installation experience and thousands of completed projects. Every linear electric fireplace in this category has been vetted by an NFI certified specialist for flame quality, build construction, and clearance specifications.

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