If you live in a typical British home – maybe a new-build without a chimney, or a terrace where the original fireplace was bricked up years ago – the idea of combining your TV unit and a cosy “fire” is very tempting. One plug, one piece of furniture, storage for the Sky box and games consoles, and a row of glowing embers underneath the telly.

But are TV stands with electric fires actually worth the money, especially with UK electricity prices where they are now?

Below is a practical look at the pros and cons, how to choose the right size, what they cost to run, and what to watch out for before you click “buy”.

Pros and cons of TV stands with electric fires

What is a TV stand with an electric fire?

A TV stand with an electric fire (often called an electric fireplace TV stand or TV unit with electric fire) is a piece of furniture that combines:

• A media unit – for your TV, set-top boxes, consoles and storage

• An integrated electric fire insert, usually 1–2 kilowatts (kW) in heat output

It plugs into a standard 13-amp socket and needs no flue, chimney or gas connection. Most have:

• Flame-only mode (lights but no heat)

• One or two heat settings, for example 1 kW and 2 kW

• Remote control with temperature or timer on mid-range and above

Think of it as a modern media console that happens to be a 100% efficient electric heater at the point of use. All the electricity drawn is turned into heat and light in the room.

Main advantages

Here is what makes them appealing in UK homes.

A typical scenario: a small semi-detached in the Midlands with a 55-inch TV, no chimney and a slightly chilly lounge. A 1.8–2 kW TV stand with electric fire under the TV can take the edge off on cold evenings without touching the rest of the heating, while also tidying up the stack of boxes and cables.

Main drawbacks

There are, however, some compromises to be aware of.

So, are they worth it at this stage? For a medium-sized UK lounge or open-plan living area where you want both storage and a focal point, they can replace a basic TV stand and a portable heater in one go. For a large, draughty Victorian through-lounge, you need to be realistic: the flames will look great, but that 1.5–2 kW heater is still only 1.5–2 kW.

Size, heat output and running costs

This is where most people go wrong. They fall in love with the look, but the unit ends up too small for the TV, or too weak to make much difference to the room. A bit of measuring first avoids the disappointment.

Choosing the right size TV stand with electric fire

You are balancing three things:

• The size of your TV

• The width of the wall or alcove

• The floor space in the room

As a rough guide for UK lounges and bedrooms:

A simple rule of thumb: aim for the stand to be at least as wide as the TV, preferably 10–20 cm wider either side so it looks grounded and not top-heavy.

Also watch height. Many fireplace TV stands sit a bit taller than basic low benches. Sitting on a standard UK sofa, most people are comfortable with the centre of the screen roughly at eye level, so if you already have the TV height you like, check the new unit will keep you in that zone once the fire is added.

Matching heat output to room size

Most electric fires used in these units are between 1 and 2 kW.

Because they are 100% efficient at the point of use, every kW you pay for comes out into the room. A lot of UK guidance for electric heaters uses rough room-size rules – for reasonably insulated modern homes, something around 1–1.5 kW for a small room and 2 kW for an average lounge is commonly used.

You can think in terms of:

Example:

• A 4 m × 4 m lounge (16 m²) in a 1990s semi will usually feel comfortable with a 1.8–2 kW electric fire as a boost alongside the central heating.

• The same fire in a 7 m × 4 m open-plan kitchen-diner will still help around the sofa area, but you will not get the same cosy “wrapped in warmth” feeling across the whole space.

Do TV stands with electric fires use a lot of electricity?

The heater inside is basically a 1–2 kW electric heater with a fan. The cost to run it depends largely on:

• The kW rating

• How many hours you use it

• Your electricity unit rate (p/kWh)

As of late 2025, Ofgem’s price cap puts the average electricity unit rate for standard variable tariffs at around 26 pence per kWh across Great Britain.

For a simple estimate:

• 1 kW heater for 1 hour uses 1 kWh

• 2 kW heater for 1 hour uses 2 kWh

So at roughly 26 p/kWh:

• 1 kW for 1 hour costs about 26 p

• 2 kW for 1 hour costs about 52 p

Here is how that looks over typical use:

(Assumes a unit rate of about 26 p/kWh. Actual rates vary slightly by region and tariff.)

A few important points:

• Flame-only mode usually draws a fraction of the power – often similar to a bright light bulb – so you can have the look of a fire with very little extra cost.

• Many fires have thermostats and timers, so they switch off when the room hits the set temperature, rather than burning cash with the fan on full blast all evening.

Is that “a lot”? It depends what you are comparing it with. Running a 2 kW electric fire is more expensive per kilowatt than gas central heating, but cheaper than turning up the thermostat for the whole house if you are only using one room. For someone working from home in the lounge, using the fire to heat that one space while the rest of the house stays cooler can make good financial sense.

Heating performance, buying checklist

Can a TV stand with electric fire heat the whole room?

In a normal-sized UK lounge (say 12–16 m², reasonably insulated), a 1.5–2 kW electric fire can comfortably take the chill off and make the room feel properly warm when used alongside or instead of the radiators.

Where people come unstuck is in:

• Very large, open-plan spaces where 2 kW simply is not enough to warm all the air

• Old, draughty houses with single glazing or uninsulated floors

• Homes with high ceilings, where warm air pools above head height

In those cases, think of the fire as:

• A zone heater – great for the sofa area, TV corner or snug

• A visual focal point – the flames make the room feel cosier even if the numerical temperature has not soared

If your aim is to replace a full central heating system, a TV stand with a built-in electric fire will not do that. But if your aim is to feel warmer in the room you actually use in the evenings, it can be very effective.

What to look for when buying a TV stand with electric fire

Once you know your room size, heat output target and running-cost comfort level, you can shortlist on design. Before you hit “add to basket”, check:

a) Dimensions and TV compatibility

• Maximum TV size stated in the listing (often in inches)

• Width of the unit versus the width of your wall and TV

• Height of the shelf – will your TV be at a comfortable viewing height?

• Weight limit for the top if you are standing the TV on the unit rather than wall-mounting it

b) Heat output, modes and controls

• Heat settings – ideally at least two levels, for example 1 kW and 2 kW

• Thermostat – lets you choose a target temperature rather than just on/off

• Timer – handy for evenings so it does not run longer than you need

• Independent flame effect – check you can use the fire with no heat, which most modern units allow

c) Build quality and finishes

In person, the difference between a budget unit and a better one is usually:

• How solid the cabinet feels once built

• Whether the doors line up and close smoothly

• Thickness of the top panel supporting the TV

• How realistic the flame effect and fuel bed look

In a British lounge with the TV wall as the main focal point, it is worth paying a bit more for finishes that match your other furniture – oak effect for a more traditional room, high-gloss or handle-less doors for a modern flat, etc.

d) Safety and placement

Electric fires in the UK are designed to modern safety standards, but common-sense placement still matters:

• Keep soft furnishings, curtains and clutter away from the heater outlet

• Do not block the ventilation grilles on the front or rear of the fire

• Use a proper wall socket – avoid cheap multi-way adapters with multiple high-draw appliances on the same block

• If small children or pets are around, look for cool-touch glass and a stable, wide base to reduce the chance of tipping

Most electric fires for TV stands are specifically intended for occasional, attended use – the kind of thing you switch on for the evening while you are in the room, rather than a heater you leave running all night.

FAQ

1. Are TV stands with electric fires safe under a wall-mounted TV?

Yes, as long as you respect the clearances in the manual. Electric fires blow warm air forwards into the room rather than straight up, and the top surface of the unit is usually warm rather than dangerously hot. Many British households have wall-mounted TVs above inset or suite-style electric fires with no issue, but you should keep a sensible gap between the top of the heater and the bottom of the TV and avoid blocking vents.

2. Do I need a special plug or separate circuit?

No. Standard electric fires for UK TV stands are designed for a normal 13-amp socket, drawing up to 2 kW at most. That said, it is best not to run several other high-draw appliances (tumble dryer, portable heater, etc) from the same extension block. A single dedicated wall socket for the unit is ideal.

3. Can I use the flame effect without turning the heater on?

Almost always, yes. Modern electric fires normally offer a flame-only mode that runs the LEDs and effects without powering the heating element. This costs far less to run than the heater itself – closer to leaving a TV or bright lamp on – so you can enjoy the look in spring and autumn without worrying about the bill.

4. How long do these units last?

The cabinet is a piece of furniture, so its lifespan depends on build quality and how you treat it. The electric fire insert itself, if used reasonably and kept dust-free, can last many years; owners of decent electric fires commonly report 10–20 years of use. Look for:

• A fire with a decent warranty (at least 1–2 years, longer is better)

• Replaceable bulbs or LED modules, if applicable

• A supplier that can provide spare parts like remotes or glass panels

5. Do TV stands with electric fires add value when selling or renting?

They are unlikely to add value in the way a full gas central-heating upgrade might, but they can make a property more appealing in photos and viewings. For rentals, a neat TV/fireplace wall makes an unfurnished lounge feel more “finished” and gives tenants a clear focal point. For buyers, it is one less thing to buy when they move in. They are also easy to remove later if tastes change – you are not knocking out a chimney breast or rerouting flues.

Final verdict: are they worth it?

If you live in a UK home without a traditional fireplace and you like the idea of a cosy focal point under or around the TV, a TV stand with an electric fire can absolutely be worth it – provided you:

• Match the heat output to the size and insulation of the room

• Choose a unit width that suits your TV and wall

• Go in with a clear idea of running costs and use the heat mode sensibly

Treat it as a stylish room heater and media unit in one, rather than a miracle replacement for the whole heating system, and it will likely earn its keep every cold, grey evening you flick it on.