Can I install an electric fireplace insert myself?

Yes, for most units. Sliding the insert into the opening, leveling it, securing the tie-down brackets, and attaching the trim are all standard DIY steps that need only basic tools. The one part worth hiring out is the power outlet itself if you don't already have one inside the firebox opening — everything else is a same-day project for most homeowners.

Do I need an electrician to install an electric fireplace insert?

Only if you need a new outlet installed inside the firebox or the existing circuit can't safely handle a 1,500W load. If your fireplace opening already has a working outlet nearby, you can plug the insert in directly with no electrician needed — this is the same standard-outlet math covered in our installation cost guide.

How long does it take to install an electric fireplace insert?

A straightforward insert into an existing opening with a nearby outlet typically takes well under an hour of hands-on work — Angi's 2026 cost data puts electric fireplace insert labor at around $225, the lowest of any fireplace-insert type, reflecting how little professional time it actually requires compared to gas or wood-burning inserts.

Do I need to seal my chimney damper before installing an electric insert?

Yes. Since an electric insert produces no smoke or combustion byproducts, the damper serves no purpose once it's installed — closing and sealing it stops drafts and heat loss through the flue. A chimney cap or cover plate is also worth adding if yours doesn't already have one, to keep water out of the now-unused flue.

How to Install an Electric Fireplace Insert (Step-by-Step, 2026)

Quick Answer: Installing an electric fireplace insert is a 5-step process: cap the chimney to keep water out, close and seal the damper (no longer needed once you’re not burning anything), get a power outlet into the firebox opening, slide in and level the insert with its tie-down brackets secured, then attach the trim or frame to cover the gaps. Most of this is DIY-friendly — Angi’s 2026 cost data puts electric insert labor at around $225, the lowest of any fireplace-insert type, because the only step that typically needs a licensed electrician is running a new outlet if one isn’t already there.

Converting an old wood or gas firebox to electric is far simpler than either alternative it replaces — no flue liner, no gas line, no combustion inspection. The tradeoff most first-timers get wrong isn’t the mechanical part, it’s forgetting the chimney is still open above an insert that produces no draft to keep water and cold air out. Here’s the process in order, plus what to size and check before you buy.

Before you start: measure and check clearances

Grab the exact width, height, and depth of your existing opening — front and back, since masonry fireboxes often taper, per our sizing guide. Then confirm your insert’s clearance requirements, which are standardized across most electric units:

Clearance point	Minimum distance
Top of firebox to combustible materials	3/8"
Insert frame to mantel board above	2"
Back and sides to surrounding walls	1"
Insert to floor	No minimum

These are typical manufacturer specs, not universal — always check the install manual for your specific model before finalizing a trim kit or surround.

The 5-step installation process

Cap the chimney. If your chimney doesn’t already have a rain cap, add a cover plate before installing the insert. Once the insert is in and the damper is sealed, there’s no airflow left to keep water from settling in the flue.
Close and seal the damper. An electric insert makes no smoke or fumes, so the damper isn’t doing anything useful anymore — sealing it shut stops drafts and heat loss straight up the chimney, the same energy-waste path a working flue causes on a gas or wood fireplace.
Get power into the opening. Every electric insert plugs into a standard household outlet. If your firebox doesn’t already have one, this is the one step worth hiring a licensed electrician for — running a new outlet inside the opening keeps the cord hidden and avoids overloading a shared circuit, the same 1,500W/12.5A math covered in our installation cost guide.
Slide in, center, and level the insert. Set the firebox into the opening, adjust the leveling screws until it sits flush and level, and secure any included tie-down brackets to the fireplace floor and back — these keep the unit from shifting once it’s in daily use.
Attach the trim or frame. Most inserts ship with metal trim or a glass frame kit that covers the gap between the insert and the surrounding masonry. This is also the point to test heat and flame before final assembly — plug it in and confirm both work while everything’s still accessible.

PuraFlame Western 33" Electric Fireplace Insert

Our value pick for firebox inserts · Ships with tie-down brackets & trim · from $389.99

Standard nominal width (26"-36" sizes available) fits most existing masonry openings without custom trim work.
Includes the tie-down hardware and frame trim referenced in steps 4 and 5 above — no separate purchase needed.
1,500W heating element on a standard household plug; no dedicated circuit required for a typical single-outlet install.

Check price on Amazon →

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What’s DIY vs. what needs a professional

Steps 1, 2, 4, and 5 — capping the chimney, sealing the damper, positioning the insert, and attaching trim — are standard DIY work with basic tools (screwdriver, level, caulk or foam sealant for the damper). Step 3, the power outlet, is the one place most guides recommend a licensed electrician, specifically when there’s no existing outlet inside the opening or the circuit needs upgrading. If your opening already has a working outlet within reach, you can skip the electrician entirely and plug straight in, which is why Angi’s $225 average labor figure for electric inserts runs so far below gas or wood-burning insert installs — there’s simply less professional work involved.

The bottom line

Installing an electric fireplace insert is a same-day project for most homeowners: cap the chimney, seal the damper, confirm you have power in the opening, level and secure the insert, then trim it out. The only step that regularly needs a professional is adding a new outlet — everything else is well within reach with basic tools. For picking the right insert before you start, see our best electric fireplace insert roundup, and if the unit stops heating after install, our troubleshooting guide covers the most common causes. Installing a wall-mount or recessed built-in instead of an insert? Our general installation guide covers those steps separately.