Superior ERL2055 55" Linear Electric Fireplace

Superior ERL2055 55" Linear Electric Fireplace

The Superior ERL2055 is the larger of Superior's two ERL2000 linear electric fireplaces: 55" wide, with a 55" x 11-7/8" viewing area, a smoked crystal ember bed and a yellow LED flame you can set to four brightness levels. The body is only 4-5/8" deep, so it can hang on the wall from its included bracket or be framed into an opening just 5-1/8" deep, with the glass nearly flush with the drywall.

Multi-color LED lighting under the crystals runs in seven colors (red, pink, snow white, cool blue, dark blue, green and lake green) or rotates through all of them, with or without the flames. A 1,500 W heater with a blower adds about 5,000 Btu of supplemental heat on high or low, held by a built-in thermostat, and the flames run with the heat off, so it's usable year-round. It plugs into a standard 120 V grounded outlet with the cord supplied, or an electrician can hardwire it, and there's nothing to vent.

The remote runs the flame, ember lighting, heater, thermostat and a shutoff timer of up to 8 hours, and the touch panel on the fireplace covers everything but the thermostat. For a 45" version, see the ERL2045. For yellow and blue flames, an LED ceiling light and a driftwood log set, see the ERL3000 models: the ERL3060, ERL3072, ERL3084 and ERL3100.

Key Features

• 55" linear electric fireplace with a 55" x 11-7/8" viewing area
• Yellow LED flame with four brightness levels
• Multi-color LED ember lighting: seven colors, an automatic color rotation, or off
• Smoked crystal ember bed
• 1,500 W heater with a blower: about 5,000 Btu, high and low settings and a built-in thermostat
• Flames and lighting run with or without the heat
• Heater lock that keeps the heat off until it's unlocked
• Infrared remote control plus a touch panel with an LED display
• Shutoff timer from 30 minutes to 8 hours
• 4-5/8" deep body for wall mounting or a recessed install, with the wall bracket included
• Plugs into a 120 V outlet with the grounded cord supplied, or hardwires
• No venting, gas line or chimney
• Listed to UL 2021 and CSA C22.2 No. 46
• 1 year limited warranty

What's Included

• Fireplace with the wall mounting bracket attached to the back
• Smoked crystal ember media
• Infrared remote control
• 120 V grounded power cord
• Installation and operation manual, with the warranty certificate

What to Order With It

Required – Power, arranged locally:

• A dedicated 15 A, 120 V circuit run in 14-gauge wire, GFCI-protected where the electrical code calls for it
• For a plug-in install, a grounded outlet within 3 feet of the fireplace's top right corner (inside the wall for a recessed install)
• For a hardwired install, a qualified electrician to make the connection

For a recessed installation – Framing, arranged locally:

• Framing lumber and wall finishing material for an opening 58" wide, 16-1/2" high and 5-1/8" deep

Specifications

Superior designs the heater as supplemental heat that isn't meant to run continuously, so keep another heat source in the house.

Dimensions and Clearances

Fireplace dimensions

The drawing shows the 55" model; the other sizes differ in proportion, and the table gives each model's numbers.

Recessed framing

Clearances to combustibles

Superior also recommends 15-3/4" between the fireplace and adjacent walls and furniture. Mantels, combustible or not, can be installed above the top of the face; shelves, window sills and mantels above the fireplace all count toward the clearances.

Installation Requirements

• Where it can go: indoors in a home, hung on a wall or framed into one. Not in a bathroom, laundry room or similar damp space, or anywhere it could fall into water. On an outside wall in a cold climate, the wall has to be insulated. For the best look, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from overhead lights.
• Wall mounting: the bracket comes attached to the back of the fireplace, and Superior recommends two people for the install. Keep the fireplace at least 7-7/8" from the floor and side walls and 23-5/8" below the ceiling.
• Recessed framing: frame an opening 58" wide, 16-1/2" high and 5-1/8" deep. The fireplace slides in until its front trim meets the drywall, which hides the drywall edge, and wood screws through the four slotted holes on each side of the firebox hold it to the frame. Set it square and plumb, shimming the sides as needed, and keep insulation and vapor barrier at least 2" away.
• Power: a dedicated 15 A, 120 V circuit with 14-gauge wire, GFCI-protected where code requires. For a plug-in install, put a grounded outlet within 3 feet of the fireplace's top right corner (inside the wall for a recessed install). Avoid extension cords; if one can't be avoided, it has to be a grounded 14 AWG cord rated for at least 1,800 W and 15 A. Never run a cord under carpet or rugs.
• Hardwiring: with the breaker off, a qualified electrician removes the power cord and connects the house wiring at the fireplace's junction box (black to L, white to N, green to G), leaving at least 8" of cable to work with. Wiring follows local codes, or the National Electrical Code (ANSI/NFPA 70) in the US and the Canadian Electrical Code (CSA C22.1) in Canada.
• Ember media: at the first install, the front glass comes off (four screws on each side, which are then discarded) so the crystals can be spread in an even layer. The glass then hangs back on its hooks.
• Heat outlet: warm air comes out of the outlet on top of the fireplace, and the surfaces around it get hot. Don't block the air openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run the flames without the heat?
Yes. When you turn it on, the flames and ember lighting come on with the heater off, and the heat only runs when you pick high (1,500 W) or low (750 W). The fire effect is usable all year.

How much will it heat?
About 5,000 Btu an hour on high, from a 1,500 W heater with an 83 CFM blower. Pick a temperature from 61°F to 86°F and the heater shuts off when the room gets there and comes back on when it cools. It's supplemental heat that isn't meant to run continuously, so it won't replace a furnace.

Should I plug it in or hardwire it?
Either works. The supplied grounded cord plugs into a 120 V outlet on a dedicated 15 A circuit, which is the simplest route. Hardwiring puts the connection inside the wall at the fireplace's junction box and is done by a qualified electrician.

Wall-mounted or recessed?
Hung from the included bracket, the 4-5/8" body sits on the wall surface and needs 7-7/8" from the floor and side walls and 23-5/8" below the ceiling. Framed into a 5-1/8"-deep opening, the glass sits nearly flush, the trim covers the drywall edge, and the framing can touch the fireplace.

What colors can the ember bed be?
Seven colors (red, pink, snow white, cool blue, dark blue, green and lake green), or an automatic mode that moves through all seven every 60 seconds. The ember lighting can also be turned off, and it works with the flames on or off.

Can I lock the heater?
Yes. Hold the heater button for 5 seconds and the display shows LO: the heater and temperature buttons stop responding, while the flames and lights still work. Hold it for 5 seconds again to unlock (UL).

Why did it shut off on its own?
Usually the room reached the thermostat setting, and the heater comes back on as it cools, or the timer ran out. If the whole fireplace goes off and won't restart, the overheat cut-off may have tripped, often from blocked air vents. It doesn't reset itself: unplug the fireplace or turn off its breaker for at least 30 minutes, clear the vents, then restore power.

Can I put a mantel above it?
Yes. Combustible or non-combustible mantels can go above the top of the face. The minimum clearances above the fireplace apply to shelves, window sills and mantels too, so check them against the table under Dimensions and Clearances.

How do I clean it?
Turn it off, unplug it or switch off the breaker, and let it cool first. Dusting now and then is all the fireplace needs. Wipe the glass with a soft, lint-free cloth, or a damp cloth with household glass cleaner for fingerprints, then dry it; don't spray liquid onto the fireplace or use abrasive cleaners. A slight smell during the first few uses is normal and goes away as the heating elements break in.

Warranty

Superior's 1 Year Limited Warranty for electric fireplaces covers the ERL2055 against defects in materials and workmanship:

• Fireplace body, blower and circuit board: 1 year
• Remote control: 1 year, repair or replacement
• Glass: 90 days, replacement
• LED strips, bulbs and batteries: 90 days, replacement
• Accessories: 90 days, repair or replacement
• Parts not listed: 90 days
• Labor: paid at IHP rates for the covered part's warranty period

Wear and tear, misuse, faulty installation and higher utility bills aren't covered. Where it's practical, IHP keeps replacement parts available for 10 years after a model's last production date. The warranty is for the original owner of a fireplace installed in the US or Canada. Full terms are in the warranty certificate.

Documents and Downloads

• Installation and Operation Manual
• Specification Sheet
• Smart Sheet
• Brochure
• Warranty Certificate