Are Electric Fireplaces Worth It in Australia?

Electric fireplaces have become one of the fastest-growing home heating categories in Australia – and for good reason. They’re flexible, low-maintenance, and they work in homes where gas and wood fireplaces simply can’t go. If you’re considering an electric fireplace, the key is understanding what makes a good one and how to match it to your home. 

Here’s what to know before you buy. 

What does an electric fireplace do well? 

Electric fireplaces have genuine advantages that other heating types can’t easily match: 

• No flue, no gas connection. You don’t need a chimney, a cavity in the wall, or a gas line. That makes electric fireplaces one of the only fireplace options for apartments, townhouses, and homes that aren’t connected to gas. 
  
• Simple installation. Many models plug straight into a standard power point. Built-in models may need a licensed electrician to hardwire, but there’s no flue work, no ventilation requirements, and no council approvals in most cases.
  
  
• Flame-only mode. Most electric fireplaces let you run the flame effect without turning on the heater. In summer, you get the look and ambience of a fireplace without warming the room – something gas and wood fireplaces can’t do.
  
• Cool-to-touch glass. On most models, the glass stays cool even when the heater is running. That’s a meaningful safety advantage in homes with young children or pets.
  
  
• Low maintenance. There’s no flue to clean, no annual gas service to book, and no ash to deal with. Ongoing costs are limited to the electricity you use.
  
  
• Smart features. Modern electric fireplaces often include app control, adjustable flame colours, realistic crackling sound, and built-in timers. The technology has moved well beyond the basic LED flicker of a few years ago. 

What should you consider before choosing one? 

Electric fireplaces suit a wide range of homes, but getting the right result comes down to choosing the right model for your space. Here’s what to keep in mind: 

• Match the heating output to your room size. Most electric fireplaces run at around 2 kW, which comfortably warms a small-to-medium room of roughly 20 to 25 square metres. For larger open-plan spaces, a gas log fire may be a better fit – or you can use an electric fireplace for targeted warmth in one zone of a bigger room.
  
  
• Know your running costs. At 2 kW, expect to pay roughly $0.60 to $0.70 per hour on a typical Victorian electricity tariff (around 30 to 35 cents per kWh). Running the flame effect only uses very little power. If your home has rooftop solar, daytime running costs drop to almost nothing.
  
  
• Choose quality over price. This is where the biggest difference shows up. A $300 plug-in unit from a big-box retailer uses basic LED strips that look obviously fake. A purpose-built electric fireplace with 3D flame technology, glowing log effects, and adjustable colours is a completely different experience. If the fireplace is going to be a feature in your home, this is not the place to cut corners.
  
  
• Expect fan-forced heat, not radiant warmth. Electric fireplaces heat the room through a fan-forced element rather than radiant flame. The warmth is real and effective, but it feels different to gas or wood. Most people find this is not an issue once the room is up to temperature.
  
• Think of it as room heating, not whole-home heating. Electric fireplaces are designed to heat the room they’re in. For whole-home warmth in colder climates, they work best alongside a primary heating system. 

Who gets the most out of an electric fireplace? 

Electric fireplaces suit a surprisingly broad range of homes and situations. Here’s where they really shine: 

• Apartments and homes without gas. This is the single strongest use case. Many newer apartments across Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth don’t have gas connections. An electric fireplace gives you a real fireplace feature without needing one.
  
  
• Bedrooms and home offices. If you’re heating one room for a few hours in the evening – not all day – 2 kW is plenty, and the running cost stays manageable.
  
  
• Milder climates. In coastal Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, or Perth, where you might need two to three months of light heating rather than five months of serious warmth, electric handles the job well.
  
  
• Renovation projects. A built-in electric fireplace in a media wall or feature wall is one of the most popular renovation trends going around. No cavity depth, no flue, and no gas plumbing means fewer trades and a simpler build.
  
  
• Homes with rooftop solar. If your electricity comes from solar panels, running an electric fireplace during daylight hours costs you next to nothing. That changes the running cost equation completely.
  
  
• Renters. A freestanding or wall-mounted electric fireplace goes with you when you move. You can’t take a gas log fire with you. 

Electric vs gas – a quick comparison 

Gas log fires deliver more heat, warm larger spaces, and produce the radiant warmth of a real flame. Electric fireplaces are easier to install, need less maintenance, and suit homes without gas connections. Both create genuine ambience – and many homeowners end up with one of each in different rooms. 

If you’re weighing up the two, we’ve written a detailed comparison of gas log fireplaces vs electric fireplaces that breaks down installation, running costs, heating performance, and aesthetics side by side. 

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to run an electric fireplace in Australia? 

Most electric fireplaces run at 2 kW on their highest heat setting. At current Australian electricity rates of 30 to 35 cents per kWh, that works out to roughly $0.60 to $0.70 per hour. Running the flame effect only – without the heater – uses very little power, typically under 100 watts. 

Can I plug an electric fireplace into a normal power point? 

Many freestanding and wall-mounted models plug into a standard 10-amp power point. Built-in models designed for recessed installation may need hardwiring by a licensed electrician, depending on the unit and your wall setup. 

Do electric fireplaces actually heat a room? 

Yes. A 2 kW unit will warm a room of around 20 to 25 square metres comfortably. For larger spaces or open-plan layouts, you can use the electric fireplace as zoned heating for the area where you spend the most time. 

Are electric fireplaces safe for children and pets? 

Most quality electric fireplaces use cool-to-touch glass even when the heater is running. There’s no open flame, no hot surfaces on the exterior, and no combustion gases. They’re one of the safest fireplace options for families. 

How long do electric fireplaces last? 

A well-made electric fireplace should last 10 to 15 years with minimal maintenance. LED flame technology uses very little energy and doesn’t burn out the way older halogen bulbs did. There are no moving parts exposed to combustion, so wear and tear is low. 

Why do some electric fireplaces look more realistic than others? 

It comes down to flame technology. Budget models use flat LED strips behind a screen, which can look two-dimensional. Quality electric fireplaces use layered 3D flame effects, glowing log beds, and adjustable colour settings that create a far more convincing result. The difference is obvious when you see them side by side. 

See the difference in person 

The easiest way to choose the right electric fireplace for your home is to see one running. Visit an Illusion Fires showroom to compare the Velisse Aura electric fireplace range alongside our gas log fire collections. Our team can help you work out which option suits your space, your climate, and your budget – and seeing both side by side makes the decision a lot easier. 

Find your nearest showroom →