Are RV Electric Fireplaces Safe

Being Safe in Your RV with an Electric Fireplace

Safety is always going to be one of your highest priorities. And we want to help you keep yourself, your family, and your RV safe. Installing new electronics or appliances to your RV can be a learning experience in wiring, power configurations, safety standards, and so much more. And if you're looking to add something like an electric fireplace to your RV, you may wonder, is it even safe to put it in my RV?

The short answer? Yes, it's perfectly safe to install an electric fireplace into your RV.

But the short answer doesn't tell you why it's safe or help reassure you on what exactly is keeping you safe when you use your new fireplace. So, we will look more in-depth at fireplace safety and help you make the best and most informed decision regarding getting an electric fireplace.

Open Flames = Danger

An electric fireplace works by heating the air using heating coils or ceramic plates and pushing that warm air into the surrounding space. A gas or wood fire uses a flame to produce heat and can release dangerous fumes. So, with an electric unit, you don't have the hazards of open flames to worry about keeping an eye on. You are free to walk away from your electric fireplace without fear of an errant spark catching your sofa ablaze, or the lethal danger of an undetected carbon monoxide leak ( for more information on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning click this link).

No Mess, No Smoke, No Gas

Fuel for a fireplace is the next thing you worry about when heating your space. Regular fireplaces use something to produce heat, like gas or wood, so you'll always have to make sure you have a steady supply of either to keep your heating going.

With an electric version, all you need to do is make sure you're hooked up to power, either from a generator, solar energy, or shore power, and you're good to heat your space.

Because no fuel is consumed, there's nothing to keep clean—no soot and ash to clean up, no ventilation to keep clean. An electric fireplace also produces no smoke, so you can breathe easily and freely. There are no possible gas leaks to worry about, either. It's one less thing you need to monitor in a place with so many shifting pieces.

Built-in Quality Safety

Electric fireplaces also come with built-in safety features. They can vary slightly from model to model, so always be sure to check out the safety features that come with the model you're looking at.

Standard safety features include auto shutoff if the unit overheats, adjustable temperature controls allowing complete control over the temperature, and internal thermometers that keep track of the temperature and will cycle the heating. Hence, it's not continually heating when not needed. Timers are also a common feature, so you can have it run for so long and then shut itself off. It also requires some sort of heat transfer insulation so that the unit doesn't push heat into the cabinets surrounding the mounted unit. You can further increase your safety by ensuring proper electrical safety measures are in place by consulting  standards and regulations provided by the RV Industry Association. You can also check out this R.V. Electrical Safety for Campers Brochure from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Proper Maintenance

As with all appliances, maintaining them is the best way to keep them safe. Maintaining your electric fireplace means a few things. One is just running a visual check over all the external components, hookups, plugs, and anything that could potentially become a hazard.

If you check the cord one day and it seems too hot, then you know you've caught a potential problem before it becomes a significant problem. Cleaning it regularly to keep dust and debris from accumulating is also a good maintenance practice. Plugging into a proper outlet and eliminating a power strip or extension cord reduces the risk of overheating and electrical mishaps.

Electric fireplaces are safe, but adding extra caution never hurts and helps keep peace of mind while you stay toasty. Click here if you want to  learn more about fire safety guidelines tailored for RVs from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

So, if you're ready to kit your rig with an electric fireplace and start reaping the benefits today, check out  RecPro's selection of RV fireplaces to get started. Our fireplaces are full of the safety features talked about here, so you know that you're looking for an excellent unit for your RV.