electric fireplace

My 2010 vintage Dimplex was doing that after it's first winter (I full time). It got a lot of use. I went to the Dimplex web site and d/l the instructions for removing the unit, opening it up, and cleaning out the air flow route including the heating unit itself. The air flow was restricted by lint and other assorted crud. It hasn't needed cleaning since (4 more years) so I attribute the problem to accumulated construction "crud". Their directions for this process were spot on including how many screws had to be removed for each part.

Does your electric fireplace have a button that cycles through the different heat settings? Mine will cycle from High - Low - 95 - 90 - 85... I have no idea what temperature setting corresponds to High and Low, but mine warms up the area and cycles off. Have you tried setting it to a temperature (i.e. 85) instead of "High?". Mine does have a fan that gently blows hot air from a vent located at the top of the unit. Does yours blow?

Many of the fireplaces are built in to a cabinet that has no ventilation. Many people add vents on either side of the heater to allow for more air flow to the rear of the fireplace. This will usually stop the problems you are having. Simple way to fix is to drill holes in cabinet and just cover the holes with the metal louvered floor duct covers so it looks nice.

I too agree it may be the fan.. I have a 750 Watt electric fire place (Fan Blown) which is doing the job just now.. plus a few 1500 Watt space heaters I can back it up with.

NOTE: RV wiring is not really that good at 1500 watts.. I've lost two connections (one outlet, one other) and others have as well running 1500 watt heaters.. Thus I added a couple of dedicated circuits.. NOT via the inverter, and 12ga wire from a breaker (only thing on the breaker) to a 15/20 amp outlet (Wire bent around a screw and "T" shaped neutral) No problems with these circuits.

I got ya Roy, I know its for pretty looks. I pulled it out of the wall thinking it may be blocked somewhat but it cycles the same. I see no way it can be starved for air flow so........

The opening its in would be perfect for what you have there and able to route the propane line totally hidden. I am sure it would do a way better job. For now I will just put it back in and go fill my propane tanks. lol.

What you are dealing with is just an over priced electric heater with a fan and a dazzling revolving fire display light show.

You would probably get more heat from a built-in outside vented WAVE propane unit... These usually don't come with fans however


I liked the older DIMPLEX Electric fire place's in the house setup years back.

I have visited my sisters MONTANA 5th wheel setup with built-in fireplace and it sure kept the living room snug as can be in the mornings... Was definitely perfect for that...

Roy Ken

Overheating is what I am thinking too. Cycling on the high temp limit. The fan is running but not at a high speed, not that its supposed to be high but enough to move the heat off the elements enough to keep it on. I am stumped. It may very well be the fan. Its always run this way so I don't know what its normal is.

Does it have a fan? Is the fan running? Your description sounds like it is overheating.