6 Tips for Troubleshooting Your Electric Portable Fireplace

Electric portable fireplaces are a convenient way to warm a room, barn, patio, deck, or any other area. A portable fireplace allows you to heat a room where a traditional fireplace is not an option. Also, the portable fireplace adds ambiance, visual appeal, and warmth to any space.

After deciding on an electric fireplace that you love, you want to enjoy it, not stress over it not working. Luckily, fixing your fireplace shouldn't be hard to do. When experiencing issues with an electric portable fireplace, there are a few steps that you can use to help diagnose and repair the issue of the unit.

1. Check the Power

Because electric portable fireplaces run off electricity, the first place to check is in the power supply when the unit is not working. You can check this in one of two ways. If you have a voltage tester, you can easily check the power outlet for voltage to ensure there is power available in the outlet. Alternatively, you can also move the fireplace in the direction of another outlet that you know is functioning properly and plug it in there to test if it will turn on.

2. Check the Breaker

Some electrical fireplaces require more power than a standard appliance. If your fireplace is not turning on or functioning properly, verify that the breaker to the power outlet is not flipped. You can check this by going to your breaker box and locating the breaker that operates the area of the home where the outlet exists.

3. Check the Lightbulb

If the light or coloring of the fireplace is not working, you may need to replace the lightbulb inside the fireplace. The visual effect and color of the fire is created by a lightbulb that can burn out after extended use.

To correct this problem, you may simply need to replace the lightbulb with a new one. If one side or half of the fireplace is brighter, this could also be an indication that you need to replace a bulb. If your fireplace has more than one bulb, make sure you replace the one that's burnt out with a light of the same wattage to ensure even lighting.

4. Check Fuses

Electric portable fireplaces have fuses in them that must be functional for the fireplace to heat properly. If the fireplace has lost its ability to heat, check the fuses to see if they are burned out before replacing pricier parts or the whole unit. The fuses are inexpensive and easy to replace.

To replace the fuse, first make sure that your fireplace is completely off so that you do not get shocked. Then, open up the fuse box in your fireplace. Depending on your make and model, this might be located in a different place; however, many keep them in the back.

The fuse will look like a clear cylinder with a filament inside. If the filament is broken (a likely indicator of why your fireplace is not working) it will look black or gray. To carefully remove the fuse, you can use a screwdriver to lift it out, and then replace the fuse with your new one by placing it in the old one’s space.

5. Clean the Fan

When the heating function of the fireplace is not working as well as it should, you may need to inspect and clean the fan to repair the issue. The fan can become dirty, and it needs to be cleaned to ensure it functions properly. A build-up of dirt and debris could prevent the fan from spinning properly and lower the effectiveness of the fan.

6. Check Your Model's Manual

If all else fails, you should look at the manual that came with your model. While the above steps should help you diagnose your portable electric fireplace issues, some makes and models have their own specific functions that can only be diagnosed with the accompanying directions.