Electric Fireplaces Australia: The Complete Buying Guide
Everything Australians need to know before buying an electric fireplace: types, running costs, sizing, the best brands, and 18 models compared side by side by a heating specialist that has sold and installed fireplaces for 30+ years.
What is an electric fireplace? An electric fireplace is a plug-in or hardwired heating appliance that uses LED technology to create a realistic flame effect, with a built-in fan heater typically producing 1.5 to 2 kW of warmth. Because there is no combustion, electric fireplaces in Australia need no flue, chimney, gas line or council approval, making them the simplest fireplace type to install in apartments, rentals, media walls and new builds. Prices in Australia range from around $820 for a wall-mounted unit to over $8,000 for large architectural inset fires.
- Electric fireplaces cost roughly 30 to 70 cents per hour to run on heat mode at typical Australian electricity rates, and only a few cents per hour in flame-only mode.
- A 1.5 to 2 kW electric fireplace comfortably warms a room of 15 to 25 square metres.
- No flue, chimney or gas connection is required, so most units install in under an hour.
- Plug-in models suit renters; larger inset models should be hardwired by a licensed electrician.
- O'Briens stocks 18 electric fireplace models across Charlton & Jenrick, Napoleon and VisionLINE, from $820 to $8,208, with Australia-wide delivery.
How Do Electric Fireplaces Work?
Modern electric fireplaces are a long way from the plastic-log heaters of the past. Understanding the technology helps you judge which models are worth the money.
An electric fireplace produces its flame effect with LEDs reflected through a rotating light refractor and mirrored panels, creating flames with genuine depth and movement. Premium models like the Charlton & Jenrick Luminosa range layer multiple flame images across a deep firebox for the most convincing effect currently available in Australia. The heat comes from a separate fan-forced element, usually 1.5 to 2 kW, which means you can run the flames without the heat in summer, or the heat without the flames on a cold morning.
Because nothing burns, there is no smoke, no carbon monoxide, no embers and no hot glass hazard in most designs. That is why electric is the only fireplace type with essentially no restrictions on where it can go: apartments, bedrooms, offices, under televisions, in room dividers and in rental properties.
Why Australians Are Switching to Electric Fireplaces
Easiest Installation of Any Fireplace
No flue, chimney, gas line, hearth or council permit. Plug-in models work the moment they arrive; inset models simply need framing and a power circuit.
Works Anywhere
Apartments, rentals, bedrooms, media walls and commercial fit-outs. Electric is the only fireplace type suitable for almost every Australian home.
Low Upfront and Running Costs
Entry models start around $820, there is no annual flue clean or gas service, and flame-only mode costs just cents per hour to enjoy year-round.
Ultra-Realistic Flames
Multi-layer LED flame technology in ranges like the C&J iRange and Luminosa is now realistic enough that visitors regularly mistake it for gas.
Safe Around Kids and Pets
No open flame, no combustion gases, and the heat vents are designed so TVs can be mounted directly above most models.
Electrification Ready
As Australian homes move away from gas, an electric fireplace pairs perfectly with solar and requires no fossil fuel connection at all.
Types of Electric Fireplaces in Australia
There are five main formats sold in Australia. The right one depends on your wall, your budget and whether you own or rent.
Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplaces
Slim units that hang on the wall like a TV, plug into a standard power point and leave no permanent mark beyond bracket holes. The most affordable way into the category.
From $820
Shop the VisionLINE Linear →Inset / Built-In Electric Fireplaces
Recessed into a framed wall cavity for a flush architectural finish. This is the format behind the media wall trend, with widths from 750 mm to over 1.8 m.
From $3,603
Shop the Polaris 1000E →Multi-Sided & See-Through Fireplaces
One, two or three glass sides, or fully see-through units that divide two rooms with a wall of flame visible from both. The iRange installs with one, two or three-sided glass.
From $2,040
Shop the VisionLINE View →Freestanding Electric Stoves
The classic cast-look wood stove silhouette with none of the wood. Sits on the floor, plugs in, and can move house with you.
From $1,419
Shop the VisionLINE 500 →Entertainment Cabinets & Suites
A complete furniture piece with the fireplace built in. No wall works at all: assemble, position, plug in.
From $1,820
Shop Electric Entertainment Cabinets →Large-Format Sale Pick
The VisionLINE Vesta 50 inch delivers a big-screen flame at a small-screen price while stock lasts.
$1,349$3,399
Shop the Vesta 50" →Every Electric Fireplace We Stock, Compared
We are one of the few Australian retailers stocking Charlton & Jenrick, Napoleon and VisionLINE side by side, so here is the entire range in one honest table. Prices correct as at July 2026.
| Model | Type | Price (AUD) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| VisionLINE Linear | Wall-mounted | $820 | Renters, bedrooms, first electric fireplace |
| Napoleon Entice | Wall-mount / recessed | $1,295 | Slim linear look on a budget |
| VisionLINE Vesta 50" | Wall-mount / inset | $1,349 (was $3,399) | Big flame, sale price |
| VisionLINE 500 Freestanding Stove | Freestanding stove | $1,419 | Traditional wood-stove look, plug-in |
| Electric Entertainment Cabinets | Cabinet suite | $1,820 | All-in-one furniture piece, no wall works |
| VisionLINE E660 | Inset | $1,899 | Compact built-in on a budget |
| VisionLINE View | 3-sided inset | $2,040 | Corner installs and room dividers |
| VisionLINE E800 | Inset | $2,100 | Mid-size built-in feature wall |
| Napoleon Astound | Built-in linear | $2,395 | Premium linear media walls |
| C&J Polaris 1000E | Inset, 1.0 m | $3,603 | Versatile mid-size architectural install |
| C&J iRange i750E | Inset, square, 1/2/3-sided | $3,730 | Existing chimney conversions, square format |
| C&J iRange i1250e | Inset, 1.25 m, 1/2/3-sided | $3,878 | Feature walls and dividers |
| Napoleon CLEARion Elite | See-through | $4,495 | Double-sided flame between two rooms |
| C&J Luminosa 62 | Inset, compact | $4,782 | The sharpest flame in a smaller room |
| C&J iRange i1800E | Inset, 1.8 m | $5,093 | Wide statement focal point |
| C&J Polaris 1600E | Inset, 1.6 m | $5,348 | Large media walls, active ember bed |
| C&J Luminosa 110 | Inset, 1.1 m | $6,586 | The most realistic flames available |
| C&J Luminosa 150 | Inset, 1.5 m | $8,208 | Flagship luxury installations |
How Much Does an Electric Fireplace Cost to Run in Australia?
Running cost is simple to calculate: wattage multiplied by your electricity tariff. At a typical Australian tariff of 30 to 35 cents per kWh, the numbers look like this:
| Mode | Typical power draw | Approx. cost per hour | Cost for 4 hrs/night, 90 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flame effect only (no heat) | 10 to 30 W | Under 1 to 2 cents | $1 to $4 per winter |
| Heat, low setting | ~1,000 W | 30 to 35 cents | $108 to $126 |
| Heat, high setting | ~2,000 W | 60 to 70 cents | $216 to $252 |
Two things keep real-world costs lower than the table suggests. First, thermostat-controlled models cycle the element on and off, so a "2 kW" fireplace rarely draws 2 kW continuously. Second, unlike wood or gas, you pay nothing when you only want ambience: the flame-only mode is the cheapest fireplace experience in Australia by a wide margin, and it works in the middle of summer.
If you are heating a large open-plan area every day, a reverse cycle split system is cheaper per kilowatt of heat. An electric fireplace is best treated as targeted zone heating plus a permanent design feature, which is exactly how most of our customers use them.
What Size Electric Fireplace Do You Need?
Sizing has two parts: heat output for the room, and physical width for the wall.
| Room size | Recommended heat output | Suggested models |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 m² (bedroom, study) | 750 to 1,000 W | VisionLINE Linear, Napoleon Entice |
| 15 to 25 m² (living room) | 1,500 to 2,000 W | E660, Astound, Polaris 1000E |
| 25 m²+ (open plan) | 2,000 W + supplementary heating | iRange i1800E, Luminosa 150 |
For wall width, the designer's rule of thumb is that the fireplace should span roughly one half to two thirds of the wall or media unit it sits in. A 1.0 to 1.25 m unit suits most Australian living room walls; go to 1.5 or 1.8 m only when the wall is genuinely wide, or the proportions will feel off. In open-plan spaces, running a ceiling fan on low pushes the warm air further and noticeably improves comfort.
Electric vs Gas vs Wood Fireplaces: An Honest Comparison
We sell all three, plus bioethanol, so we have no reason to oversell electric. Here is how they genuinely stack up for Australian homes.
| Factor | Electric | Gas | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat output | 1.5 to 2 kW (zone heating) | 4 to 8+ kW | Highest, whole-home capable |
| Installation | Plug in or simple hardwire; no flue | Licensed gas fitter + flue | Flue, hearth, clearances, install |
| Suits apartments/rentals | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Running cost | ~30 to 70c/hr on heat; cents on flame-only | Moderate, plus gas connection | Low if firewood is cheap locally |
| Maintenance | Essentially none | Annual gas service | Flue cleaning, ash, wood storage |
| Ambience | Very good and improving fast | Real flame | Unbeatable real fire |
| Typical entry price | From $820 | From ~$3,000 installed | From ~$3,900 with flue kit |
The short version: choose wood for maximum heat and atmosphere on a rural block, gas for powerful convenient heating where a connection exists, and electric when installation flexibility, safety, low maintenance or renting is the priority. If you are in North East Victoria and unsure, visit our Wangaratta showroom and compare all three burning side by side.
Electric Fireplace Brands: Charlton & Jenrick, Napoleon and VisionLINE
Charlton & Jenrick
The UK-engineered benchmark for flame realism. The iRange (i750E, i1250e, i1800E) installs with one, two or three glass sides. The Polaris series adds an active ember fuel bed, and the Luminosa series produces the sharpest, most realistic electric flames we have ever displayed in our showroom.
$3,603 to $8,208
Napoleon
Canadian-built fires known for bold flame colour options and clever formats, including the CLEARion Elite, one of the only true see-through electric fireplaces sold in Australia, and the slim Entice and Astound linear series.
$1,295 to $4,495
VisionLINE
Outstanding value across every format: the $820 Linear wall-mount, the three-sided View, the E660/E800 insets and a traditional freestanding stove. The smart place to start if you are testing whether electric is right for you.
$820 to $2,100
Installation: The Part Online-Only Retailers Don't Talk About
Wall-mounted and freestanding electric fireplaces genuinely are plug-and-play: fix the bracket, plug into a standard 10 A outlet, done. But there are three situations where you need a licensed electrician, and this is where buying from a heating retailer with its own electrical team matters:
- Large inset fires that draw 2 kW+ often need a dedicated circuit so they do not trip breakers shared with TVs and amplifiers
- Recessed media wall installs usually require the power point relocated inside the cavity, which is licensed electrical work in Australia
- Some architectural models are designed to be hardwired rather than plugged in
O'Briens is one of the few fireplace retailers in Australia with licensed electricians on staff (REC #28927), alongside our plumbers and gas fitters. Buy the fireplace and the compliant electrical work from the same local team, with a Certificate of Electrical Safety issued on completion. National online sellers simply cannot offer that.
Your Electric Fireplace Buying Checklist
- Measure the wall and aim for a fireplace one half to two thirds of its width
- Confirm heat output suits the room (1.5 to 2 kW for 15 to 25 m²)
- Decide plug-in (renters, flexibility) vs hardwired (built-in, cleaner finish)
- Check flame realism in person if you can; layered LED systems vary enormously
- Look for independent flame and heat controls for year-round use
- Check the media options: logs, pebbles, crystals, ember beds
- Confirm TV mounting clearance if it is going in a media wall
- Factor freight for bulky units, or pick up from our Wangaratta showroom
]Why buy your electric fireplace from O'Briens?
We are not a dropshipper. We are a family-owned Wangaratta heating business that has sold, installed and serviced fireplaces across North East Victoria for more than 30 years, with a real showroom where you can watch these fires running before you buy.
Three brands compared honestly under one roof, Australia-wide delivery, and in-house licensed electricians, plumbers and gas fitters if your project needs them.
Electric Fireplace FAQs
Are electric fireplaces expensive to run in Australia?
No. At typical Australian tariffs of 30 to 35 cents per kWh, an electric fireplace costs about 30 to 35 cents per hour on a 1 kW heat setting and 60 to 70 cents per hour at full 2 kW output. In flame-only mode the LED system draws so little power that it costs only a cent or two per hour.
Do electric fireplaces actually heat a room?
Yes. A 1.5 to 2 kW fan-forced electric fireplace effectively warms a room of 15 to 25 square metres. They are designed for zone heating a single living space rather than a whole house; for open-plan areas, pair one with a ceiling fan or a split system.
Do electric fireplaces need a chimney or flue?
No. There is no combustion, so no flue, chimney or venting of any kind is required. This is the biggest practical advantage of electric over wood and gas, and the reason they can be installed in apartments and rentals.
Can I put a TV above an electric fireplace?
In most cases yes. The majority of modern inset and wall-mounted models vent heat forward or downward specifically so a television can be mounted above. Always check the individual model's clearance specifications, which our team can confirm for you before purchase.
Do I need an electrician to install an electric fireplace?
Not for plug-in wall-mounted and freestanding models, which run off a standard power point. You will need a licensed electrician for hardwired models, dedicated circuits for large 2 kW+ units, or relocating a power point inside a media wall cavity. O'Briens has licensed electricians in-house (REC #28927) for exactly this work.
How realistic are electric fireplace flames now?
Far better than even five years ago. Multi-layer LED systems such as the Charlton & Jenrick Luminosa and iRange create flames with real depth, movement and adjustable colour that visitors frequently mistake for gas fires. Realism varies a lot between price points, which is why we display them running in our showroom.
Are electric fireplaces safe for children and pets?
Yes, they are the safest fireplace type. There is no open flame, no combustion gases and no wood sparks, and the glass on most models stays much cooler than gas or wood fire glass. Standard sensible precautions around any heater still apply.
What is the best electric fireplace in Australia?
It depends on budget and format. For overall flame realism we rate the Charlton & Jenrick Luminosa 110. For value, the VisionLINE Linear at $820 is hard to beat. For a see-through room divider, the Napoleon CLEARion Elite is one of the only true double-sided electric fires sold in Australia. Our full 18-model comparison table above breaks down every option we stock.
Do you deliver electric fireplaces Australia-wide?
Yes. We ship electric fireplaces across Australia, with faster delivery throughout North East Victoria and the Border region. Shipping is calculated at checkout, and our team will contact you before processing if a bulky item attracts additional freight.
Ready to find your electric fireplace?
Compare 18 models from Charlton & Jenrick, Napoleon and VisionLINE, from $820 to flagship architectural fires, backed by 30+ years of heating expertise and Australia-wide delivery.
