Yes, you can usually put an electric fireplace in a mobile home, and a plug-in model is the simplest way to do it. There is no gas line, chimney or roof penetration. What matters is the circuit it plugs into, the age of the home’s wiring, and what the wall can hold. Below we cover each, then list 120V models from our catalog. A licensed electrician and your local code have the final word on any electrical work.
Electric fireplace in a mobile home: the short answer
A plug-in electric fireplace is treated as an electric room heater, not a fuel-burning appliance. Amantii’s manuals, for example, say their units are tested to the UL 2021 standard for fixed and location dedicated electric room heaters. Plugged into a suitable grounded outlet with the manual’s clearances kept, it is the same job as in a site-built house.
What differs in a mobile home: older wiring, walls that may not take heavy loads, and federal rules for anything that burns fuel. If you rent, check the lease and park rules; our electric fireplace for apartment renters guide covers how to ask a landlord.
Manufactured home fireplace rules under the HUD Code
Manufactured homes are built to the federal HUD Code, 24 CFR Part 3280. Two sections are worth knowing:
- Section 3280.707 says heat producing appliances in manufactured homes must be listed or certified for residential use by a nationally recognized testing agency, and that fuel-burning heat producing appliances (other than ranges and ovens) must be vented to the outside.
- Section 3280.709 says every appliance must be installed per its listing and the manufacturer’s instructions and secured in place. For solid fuel fireplaces and stoves it adds a listed factory-built chimney, an outside combustion air inlet, a noncombustible hearth extension at least 3/8 inch thick, a ban on installing one in a sleeping room, and a chimney at least three feet above the roof where it passes through.
That is why a wood or gas fireplace here is a contractor job. An electric unit still needs to be listed and installed to its manual, so look for the UL or CSA listing before you buy.
Circuit capacity: amps, outlets and older wiring
Most plug-in electric fireplaces run on 120V and draw up to 1,500 watts with the heater on. That is 12.5 amps (1,500 divided by 120). Amantii’s WM-FM manual asks for a 15 ampere, 120 Volt, 60 Hz branch circuit with proper ground, and says a dedicated branch circuit is preferred to avoid tripped breakers. The Zero Clearance manual warns against extension cords because they may overheat.
Electric Fireplaces Depot’s article Do Electric Fireplaces Need a Dedicated Outlet? notes that a 15 amp circuit already running a TV, lamps and a game console may trip repeatedly once a fireplace heater is added.
Aluminum wiring in older mobile homes
The CPSC’s Repairing Aluminum Wiring guide (Publication 516) says cables installed between 1965 and the mid 1970s may contain aluminum branch wiring, and that aluminum connections can overheat at outlets and switches, sometimes without warning signs. If your home dates from that era, have an electrician check the outlet and circuit before you add a 1,500 watt heater.
When to call an electrician
- The outlet shares a breaker with other heavy loads, or the breaker already trips.
- The home is from the 1960s or 1970s and you are not sure what wiring it has.
- You want a new outlet behind a wall-mounted unit.
- You plan to hardwire the fireplace or use a 240V model.
Hardwiring and new circuits usually mean a permit. Our electric fireplace permit guide explains what tends to trigger one.
Wall mount, recessed or freestanding
Weight and wall depth decide which style fits. The WM-FM manual lists gross weights from 52.8 lbs for the 26 inch model to 138.6 lbs for the largest size, and tells you to fix the hanger bracket firmly enough to hold the weight. For a built-in install it says to drive the mounting screws into the wall studs and to consult a local builder because wall materials vary. Ask the home’s manufacturer or a contractor what the wall can carry.
Recessed units need depth. The Zero Clearance 26 inch insert is 9 3/4 inches deep per its manual, so it needs a framed bump-out or cabinet rather than a cut into an existing wall. A freestanding TV stand avoids wall work. For framing errors to avoid, see our electric fireplace installation mistakes list.
120V models that suit a manufactured home
Prices are as listed at the time of writing. Specs come from our listings and, where noted, the Amantii manual for that series.
| Model | Style | Power and connection | Size or weight | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amantii WM-FM 34-In | Wall mount or recessed | 120V, 1500W max (manual) | 33 1/2 x 19 7/8 x 6 1/8 in, 63.1 lbs (manual) | $1,498 |
| Amantii WM-FM 48-In | Wall mount or recessed | 120V, 1500W max (manual) | 47 1/2 x 19 7/8 x 6 1/8 in, 81 lbs (manual) | $1,837 |
| Amantii 26-in Traditional XtraSlim | Mount or recess in a 2×4 wall | 750W low, 1500W high | Heats up to 400 sq ft | $1,299 |
| Amantii Symmetry 42-In Basic | Recessed, or semi flush in a 2×4 wall with SYM-XS surround | Plug-in or hard-wire ready; 4800 BTU | Heats 400 to 500 sq ft | $1,099 |
| Amantii Zero Clearance 26-In | Built-in or insert | Plug-in or hard-wire ready; 120V, 12A, 1500W (manual) | 29 1/4 x 23 1/2 x 9 3/4 in, 56 lbs (manual) | $968 |
| Sierra Flame 55-In Wall Mount | Surface mount plugged in, or recessed direct wire | Voltage not listed | Heats up to 400 sq ft | $1,779 |
| Hampton 97 in. Fireplace TV Stand | Freestanding console, 42 in. insert | Voltage not listed; thermostat 64 to 82°F | 97 x 18 x 32 in | $1,743.99 |
Where voltage is not listed, read the manual or call us before planning the outlet. Browse the full Amantii lineup for other sizes, and our electric fireplace buying guide compares built-in, linear and insert styles.
Electric fireplace for RV use: plan the power carefully
An RV is a different case from a manufactured home. KOA’s guide to 30 vs 50 amp RVs says 30 amp service delivers a maximum of 3,600 watts, 50 amp service up to 12,000 watts over two 120V legs, and a 20 amp adapter limits you to 2,400 watts. A 1,500 watt heater is over 40 percent of a 30 amp hookup (our math), so running it with an air conditioner or microwave can trip the main breaker.
Off shore power, the generator or inverter must carry the full 1,500 watts continuously. Flame-only mode draws far less: the WM-FM manual lists 25W with no heater. The Amantii manuals we read describe fixed room heaters and do not address RV use, so ask the manufacturer before installing one in a vehicle, and secure it so it cannot shift while driving.
Frequently asked questions
Is an electric fireplace safe in a mobile home?
A listed electric fireplace installed per its manual is generally a safer choice than a fuel-burning unit, since there is no combustion. Keep the 3 foot clearance the WM-FM manual specifies and have older wiring checked.
Can I install a manufactured home fireplace that burns wood?
Only a solid fuel unit listed for the purpose and installed to 24 CFR 3280.709, with a listed chimney, outside air and a hearth extension, and never in a bedroom.
Does an electric fireplace need a dedicated circuit?
Many manuals say a dedicated circuit is preferred, not required. If the breaker trips or other heavy loads share it, an electrician can add one.
Can I use an electric fireplace for RV heat on 30 amp service?
It can work if you manage other loads, since 1,500 watts is a large share of 3,600 watts. Check the manufacturer’s guidance first.
Have questions about which unit fits your home’s wiring or wall? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Shipping is free freight on orders of $999 or more, and a flat $200 below that.
