An electric fireplace uses a conventional space heater to provide heat. Common problems with the heater can include not turning on or blowing cold air.

Here’s what my electric fireplace heating component looks like from inside:

If your electric fireplace heater won’t turn on, won’t heat or the fan is blowing cold air:

Ensure that the fireplace is plugged in and turned on at the wall.

Ensure that the main power switch on the fireplace is turned on.

On my electric fireplace, the heater switches won’t work and the heater won’t turn on unless the main power switch is on.

With the power switch turned on for the fireplace, turn on any switches that control the heater.

Like many other electric fireplaces, my fireplace has two heat settings. The fireplace has separate switches to control each heat setting.

In order to the turn the heater on with the low setting switch, the power switch must be on. Turning on the low heat setting switch will then provide heat from the blower.

In order to turn the high heat setting on, both the power and low heat switches must be on. With both switches on, turning on the high heat switch will make the heater blow on the highest heat setting.

Therefore, in order for my electric fireplace to provide heat on the highest setting, all three switches must be on. Try this with your electric fireplace if it has a similar control setup.

If your electric fireplace has a thermostat, ensure that the dial is set to a temperature above the current room temperature, or the fireplace heater won’t turn on and give out any heat.

An electric fireplace thermostat helps to keep your room at a constant set temperature. The fireplace heater will automatically adjust the heat output when required to ensure that the room stays at this temperature.

Turning a thermostat dial to the left typically decreases the temperature setting, while turning it to the right increases it.