Tv Above Modern Electric Fireplace – » Learning Center » Fireplace Safety » Is it safe to put a TV on top of an electric fireplace?
Placing the TV above the fireplace is a big trend in home decor. In fact, many builders today place electrical wiring and outlets near the electric fireplace for convenience. This makes sense from a designer’s perspective. The two pieces can work together as a main focal point instead of competing for attention and freeing up floor space for other important furniture. Unfortunately, interior designers focus more on aesthetics than functionality. The good news is that you can safely mount your TV on the fireplace if you know how to do it right
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Heat is not TV’s best friend. High temperatures can damage the delicate electronics that give you the sharp picture you want. This is why it is not always a good idea to mount your TV above a gas or wood burning fireplace with a high heat output.
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The wall above the fireplace is often hotter than any other surface in the room. This is due to the amount of heat generated by the fireplace. For example, a gas fireplace generates 20,000 to 35,000 BTUs of heat per hour. To understand how hot that is, consider how easily a 15,000 BTU heater can heat a 1,400 square foot home during the winter months.[1]
A blower is designed to force hot air into the room, but even a fireplace with a good blower tends to have hot air rising above it. This doesn’t mean you have to ditch the idea of placing your TV above the fireplace.
There are many factors to consider before making your final decision. For example, the depth of the fireplace can make a difference. A narrow mantle allows heat to pass through. A deeper fireplace helps protect anything above the fireplace from extreme heat. You should also realize that some types of fireplaces produce less heat than others or come with a higher quality blower.
Electric fireplace inserts are also available. They are a great option if you want to mount your TV above the fireplace. Is it safe to put a TV on top of an electric fireplace? Yes, it is. These units produce less heat than gas or wood burning fireplaces. This is because fire is not real. Fire effects are artificially created for the environment. Some come with a heater to add to the realism of the piece, but those with heat are usually around 5,200 BTU.
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Power units are so compatible with a TV that some are specially designed to support the TV. They have a mantel made for flat screen TVs along with shelves for decoders, DVD players and other equipment. The heaters in these versions usually produce a low level of heat to protect the electronics.
No matter what type of fireplace with tv stand you have, the best way to find out if you can put your TV on top of it is to test the wall temperature. It is easy to do. Decide exactly where to place the TV. Stick a thermometer where the center of the TV is on the wall. Let the fireplace run for a few hours. If the wall temperature is 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, this area is too hot for the TV. Anything below 100 degrees is acceptable for your electronics.
Large flat screen TVs are expensive. A manufacturer’s warranty protects your investment. The last thing you want to do is call a repairman to look at your new TV because it suddenly isn’t working properly due to thermal damage. If the repairer determines that overheating is the cause of the TV’s damage and poor picture quality, the manufacturer may refuse to cover the cost of the repair. Read the fine print. Many warranties state that a TV wall mount above the fireplace voids all coverage.
In addition to the problems that heat can cause, the height of the fireplace can be a problem. Often, a TV mounted above a fireplace is usually too high for comfortable viewing. Fireplace mantels should be at a safe distance above the fire. This makes the fireplace tall. A TV above this point is just above the ground. Watching it is like sitting too close to the screen in a movie theater. You will always be looking up, which can cause neck strain.
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How high the TV is mounted makes a big difference in comfort. The most comfortable height for your LCD TV is when the bottom third of the TV is at eye level where you are sitting. Otherwise, you might feel a strain and neck pain from looking up after 30 minutes of watching.
You also have to consider how hard it is to see LED TVs from an angle. The higher the viewing angle, the worse the image looks. It can be very difficult to view the TV from your sofa or favorite chair when it is mounted above the fireplace.
Some of this neck strain can be avoided by using the right type of wall mount kit. There are two types to choose from.
A tilt stand allows you to point your flat screen TV down towards where you are sitting. It makes watching TV more comfortable. When you’re not using the TV, it can be pushed back against the wall, where it looks like any mirror or piece of art above the fireplace.
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A full motion stand tilts down for you as well as rotates. This is done with an extension arm that pulls the TV away from the wall. You can tilt it up or down and turn it left or right when it’s out. When you are finished watching TV, it can be returned to its original position.
Having a TV and fireplace together in the living room can be a big deal when it comes to interior design. Both tracks want to be the main attraction. Separating them causes them to compete with each other and leave the room looking messy. This problem is immediately solved by using a TV mounted on the wall above the fireplace.
Unfortunately, there are two significant concerns with this idea. If the fireplace is a gas or wood burning fireplace, it will be too hot for your TV to handle. Fireplace types also have higher mantels that make watching TV more difficult.
The best solution is to replace your existing fireplace with an electric unit. Is it safe to put a TV on top of an electric fireplace? Yes. This allows you to avoid both problems. Electric units have no actual fire. This eliminates clearance issues when it comes to mantle girth and height. This means you can have a fireplace with a mantel low enough to allow comfortable TV viewing. The bottom of the TV should be 42 inches from the floor for the best experience, unless you are using a swivel and tilt wall mount.[2]
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Electric versions also produce less heat. There isn’t enough heat coming out to damage your overhead TV. The medium contains a heater of 5,000 BTU or less. They are also affordable. Especially if you take advantage of the payment and financing plans offered by .
Those without an existing fireplace can purchase a freestanding unit. Alternatively, homeowners with traditional built-in fireplaces can purchase an electric fireplace insert that they can fit into the opening of the existing fireplace. Installation is easy. You just need to clean the opening of the fireplace and insert the electric fireplace inside. Plug the unit in and it’s ready to go.
Electrical inserts can be plugged into any nearby outlet or connected to your home’s electricity. You don’t have to worry about overloading the circuit. Electric versions produce less heat with less power. This means that it is safe to connect it to your TV without any problems.
You can install a wall-mounted electrical unit and place the TV above it for a contemporary look. Your TV is safe if the heat is released from the bottom of the fireplace instead of the top.
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Is it safe to put a TV above an electric fireplace in the bedroom? In addition to a safer heat level than a gas or wood-burning fireplace, electric versions often include features that make it easier to have a TV above it.
Media mantels provide plenty of room for your Samsung TV to sit on top. They have storage for the cable box and other equipment under the hood. A hidden door can be opened to reveal these devices while watching TV. When you’re done, you can close the door for a neat and uncluttered look.
Console fireplaces are stylish entertainment centers that include the look and feel of a real fire. They have enough space for a TV above, with plenty of shelves for equipment, DVDs and Blu-rays. You can choose from open models that allow you