Very good informative review thank you. The only extra I would have liked would be to have seen the flame effect in a darkened room but even in a bright room the flames do look very realistic. The extra doors in front are a must and you are right about the heater fan, it’s very noisy indeed but probably with the TV on the kids arguing and my wife telling me off for whatever I’ll not notice it as it’ll be secondary heat only with the gas boiler for the central heating draining the bank account continuously. Many Thanks, you’ve sold me on the same model proving my wife right just as she always is.
Thanks for the thorough review! Hoping to have a fireplace installed in our Florida home. Everything I’ve seen looks so fake but this one looks beautiful.
Really happy to see this review, so thanks! I’ve been looking at a number of different electric fireplace inserts and I’m divided between this Dimplex unit and the MagicFlame. Think I may be closer to purchasing this Dimplex unit, as the price is more reasonable at 1700 +\- and the MagicFlame is more than 3200…on sale!
It was actually very easy! Just cut to the right length and the tongue in groove worked perfectly. I used a brad nailer against the stud frame I built.
Thanks for doing this video! It's hard to find an actual review from an owner. I think it looks great and am thinking about this for my bedroom. True - the heater does seem loud but I wonder if after time it will just become white noise. I really like your set-up with the shiplap and wood.
Interestingly enough you’re correct. They’re supposed to replace the blower this month but even still, we’ve used it the past few weeks and with the TV on, it’s not noticeable. If we’re not using the TV though, it’s definitely noticeable.
I'm glad I found this video, as mine sounds just the same, even if it is a different model. I have the Sierra. It confirms what I expected. Dimplex's support did confirm that this is how it sounds, which is way too loud for me. I have it on a rec room, and I can hear it over the TV. Not acceptable. I need it for heating, not just looks, and having it sound like that makes it unbearable
Thank you for the detailed review it's much appreciated you've shown parts of the insert that a lot of dealerships hide in their videos. Have you heard if anybody else has bought one of the new 2023 or 24 models saying that the heater fan was quieter . Also do you know if any of the newer models have the fireplace fire crackling sound? Thank you for posting this video great job in your clarity👌👍
we just installed a similar one, and really liked it until we turned the heater on, the fan noise is loud and takes away the relaxed feeling one would expect from a quite fire. It needs a slow fan speed otion and they should use quite fan technology which has been around for years. We also bought the linear wall panel fireplace which is very quite, has different fans
Thank you for the review I have been googling Electric Fireplaces to see all of my options and it is amazing how many of do not show a video of the flame looks like when it's on; which I think is important 😆🙃
I'm so glad I used /reddit to search. Regular search came up with just retailer reviews. The fan noise is very disappointing. We have an existing gas insert that has about the same sound volume, but I was hoping to find an electric insert that's quieter. There's another brand that uses infrared without a fan - but not sure what their flames look like. That acrylic panel would look terrible without the glass panel to divert attention.
We have a 36" and the fan only has one speed when it's running. Interestingly, when we turn the heat off, the fan gets even louder. In the email from the company they said it would do that to cool. We measured the sound in decibels and it was 73-75 which is as loud as a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner. We have a 24" from Dimplex in our vacation home and it is very quiet. It also has two speeds. The low speed is very quiet. This is very disappointing. I can't imagine enjoying something in our living room that sounds like a hairdryer running.
interesting. yes, in the manual it actually states that when turning the fan off, it would INCREASE in volume for about 60 seconds before cutting off. which is true of ours. in researching this, the fan loudness was my only concern. i'm still back & forth with dimplex customer service on if mine is louder than it should be.
@@gh05t_mv They want to send us a new fan but it won't get here until JANUARY at which time they would send out a technician to install the new fan. We go away in the winter so that is not an option. We suggested that they send a technician NOW to see if there's something that could be done other than get a new fan assembly but they said no, the technician can only come to install the fan. It seems to me that another fan, which is likely just the same as this one, will sound just like this one. I thought the technician might find another issue related to the fact that there is no low speed available. We are considering returning it but that will be another burden to contend with.
@@bitterdock I’m planning on immediately running the fireplace with heater once the technician installs the new one. Hopefully it’s an immediate improvement. If not, we’ll live with the loudness as the visual aesthetic makes it well worth it for us. Plus we live in Phoenix, AZ so the heat wasn’t the primary need.
I emailed Dimplex. I cannot believe they offer many Revillusion sizes and options BUT NO MANTELS/SURROUNDS TO GO WITH THEM?????? I guess everyone has to hire a carpenter to build one or search Etsy or Amazon. I could not find any on Amazon. Dimplex has 4 mantel/surrounds for their Multi-fire XHD model, but only in 28 inch, and very limited styles and colors. Seems to me they are missing the boat. Also, cutting open a wall to insert a fireplace insert is not an option for me (and others I imagine). Where I want an electric fireplace is against a load-bearing exterior wall. My only option is a freestanding mantel/surround.
I'm sorry you're so frustrated with Dimplex. I don't work for them, I'm simply a customer. I did not want a pre-fabricated surround. I actually built this fireplace myself and it was relatively very easy. I used 2x4s to frame it out and I built it about a foot and a half or so off of the wall itself. I then simply tacked some shiplap to the framing and cut out an exact sized hole for the Dimplex firebox insert. Again, I did not want a pre-fabricated fireplace surround. We did buy the actual wooden mantel-piece that sits ABOVE the fireplace off of Amazon. But the surround itself as well as the hearth was all done by me, and I am no contractor. It was a very easy DIY. There are tons of RU-vids on it.
That’s exactly why it’s so expensive. The realism. I can’t stand the look of pretty much every other electric fireplace because they look so fake. The realistic effect of this one was worth the money for me. 👍🏽
Good review. Would have appreciated if you'd closed the curtains too to get a sense of it in a darkened room. That fan noise is a deal breaker for me tho, way too loud
They actually came and replaced the fan blower and it's a bit quieter now. Definitely made a difference and I would absolutely still get this again. Maybe I'll do another video with an update with closed shades.
Outstanding review. I am trying to decide if I want to add the fireplace to my home. I'm glad you mentioned cost of installation because now I'll know if my contractor is over charging. Is the depth about 12 inches out? And did you order/purchase online? It looks beautiful and you did a fantastic job!
Thank you! The unit itself is about 12-12.5” deep from the front edge to the back side. Oh and I bought it from a local fireplace/BBQ store here in town.
Super helpful review, thank you! My husband and I are looking to build a fireplace with an electric insert and I've been trying to find one that doesn't look cheesy or fake. I couldn't find many reviews on the Revillusion, which is what keeps coming up as the most recommended in my searches. Thanks for the thorough review! Any word from Dimplex on the volume of the fan when the heat is on?
Funny you should ask, I’ve been in contact with Dimplex the past week. They’ve requested video of it off, then switched on. I’ll report back when they reply. Thx
I’ve got the same model & the heater sounds similar. It is louder than you’d expect or desire. Though this is the only negative I’ve encountered with the unit
@@johnnysizer9784 I’ve been in contact with Dimplex support and they’re sending a tech out to replace the blower fan assembly. Hopefully that makes it significantly quieter. I’ll keep you all posted.
Great review and good suggestion on getting the doors, I am very annoyed by loud things so I am concerned however about the noise the heater emits. Were you ever able to resolve the noise issue? It would be a shame seeing as this is the best looking fireplace there is and I am in the market for one in our home. Thanks!
I am done framing the wall and was reading the installation instructions. They do not say to install before or after drywall. I have the same setup with the doors. Did you install before you put the shiplap or after? Thanks!
Nice comments mate, I was very disappointed about the noise. That was something would of stop ne from buying it. I whish there would be something to do. If you have heard any ideas about avoiding or decreasing the noise, please let me know.
I'm having trouble with this unit, first it was the flame motor which was loose and the mount wasn't screwed in, it was covered by warranty. The fan is very loud and it rattles, my warranty guy wrote it in his report, I posted a video and have been getting the run around from Dimplex. I just feel like they need to back their product. I've been buying Dimplex products for years. So this is unfortunate!
That is really unfortunate. I've had no issues at all with this model except for the loud fan that they swapped out for a slightly quieter one. It did take a long while to get the new fan motor in stock, but they were always responsive. Good luck with yours!
Do you know what the default power state is? I’m thinking about getting this & installing it with an inline smart switch so I could turn it on/off with automations but it would need to default to “on” after power loss to the unit.
They’re actually Dimplex product. They’re an optional accessory add on to the firebox insert. So wherever you get the firebox, they can also sell the doors as an add on 👍🏽
Any update concerning a successful dB decrease in fan noise? I’m in the market and think I have it down to 2 models; 1 being the 36” Revillusion weathered concrete box with full front single pane glass. Other being a Modern Flame Redstone. The loud noise is hurting the pros/cons for the Revillusion so wanted to touch base with you and check how that went. I’m decently electronics inclined; wonder if, worst case, you can switch it out with something else; entirely. Or maybe just lube the motor up to help. Not a clue of what type of hardware they’re using. Any info is appreciated!
Great review thanks. Question for anyone that has one with a light switch: does the fireplace start with the last used setting. I'm looking for an electric fireplace that I can include in my home automation. For example, a scene that includes some dim lights, fireplace turns on. I'm not finding much in terms of how these work with a power toggle.
Awesome Review. I actually have ordered this fireplace and glass doors. Any idea how much the extra the glass doors add surrounding the insert? The doors are on backorder and I would like to start laying stone. Afraid to do so not knowing the actual dimensions of the doors frame.
so on the SIDE, from the outer edge of the actual firebox itself to the outermost edge of the glass door frame it's an extra 1.25". on each side. so it expands the width an extra 2.5 inches total. the height, it adds an extra 0.75" to the top. it's flush with the bottom. 👍
What size it your unit ? I was looking at the 24" but it does not have options for the doors, which I agree about. The 24 does have a clear panel in front though, similar to a direct vent gas fireplace.
This is the 30” version. It looks like on the site it doesn’t have an option for the door kit for the 24” version. But yes, definitely get the glass panel.
@@gh05t_mv Thanks for the reply! I would prefer the 24 since my space is small, however, I agree with you about the doors so much so, that I think I may just get the 30 since it does have the doors. But one more thing, I can't seem to find, what is the lowest temperature you can set the thermostat too?
Great review. May I ask what is the brick inside surround made of? I was wondering if it is just stick on if I could add to my Dimplex firebox multi XD? Thank you, Jeanne
It’s like a laminate material, with the design sublimated into it. It’s very lightweight about as thick as cardboard. There are magnets adhered to the back of it that allow it to mount to the inside wall of the firebox. So they just pop off.
@@gh05t_mv Thank you! I am debating on getting the doors or the classic glass. Do you need the doors on hand when installing? Or can you pop them ontop after the unit is installed?
This is a superb review, thank you for taking the time to give a homeowners perspective. Tomorrow we are starting the build for our 42” unit, very similar with shiplap and large wood mantle (yours looks lovely). We also are waiting on the doors which are back ordered. For clarification can all 3 sizes run off a 120, 208, or 240V? When I initially looked at the specs I thought each voltage corresponded to the the 3 different sizes so we had an electrician run a dedicated circuit for the fireplace since we didn’t want to blow a fuse with the TV and everything running, now I’m wondering if I miss understood and you can choose the voltage and maybe we didn’t need to run a dedicated circuit. Keep us posted on the heater and happy Thanksgiving!
As far as I remember, from the pamphlet and tech specs that each can run off both voltage types. But with the higher voltage it provides for a higher BTU capability for the heater. I have 4 lights as well as our 55” TV all on the same circuit as the 110v outlet for the fireplace. It powers it perfectly. My wife just ran the heater for a while as well with the TV on and everything. I definitely think you did it better by having a dedicated circuit run, but it’s not 100% necessary.
Thank you for this video! I am trying to build the same thing in my house. May I ask: how did you mount the tv through the ship lap? That may be a dumb question… thank you!
Not a dumb question at all. I run two 2x4 studs in line with the mounting points for the TV mount. As I was mounting the shiplap to those studs, I marked where the studs were on the shiplap so when I covered them, I’d know exactly where center of studs were. Then I drilled the proper lag screw pilot holes through the shiplap into the studs and mounted the TV mount through the shiplap into the studs. I cut a standard gang box size hole and used a wire passage plate and gang box. That sits right behind the TV and I passed my power and Ethernet cables through there.
All in, lumber, shiplap, trimming, mantle, hearth board, paint, and the most expensive thing of all, the fireplace; it was about $2700 or so. The fireplace alone was $1700.
I think they could have added things like sleep timers and things. But my biggest gripe is the cost. These faux fireplace are way overpriced. Your discovery of the glass front … All of these contraptions require a fireplace screen of some sort to pull off the illusion.
It’s not aftermarket. But it does not come WITH the fireplace. It’s an optional upgrade. It comes with no front. So it’s open. Which is fine. It still has a very nice frame and all. But they have an optional glass window pane for about $230 or something? Then the glass door kit, which is what you see here for closer to $280. Can’t remember the exact price.
@@gh05t_mv I honestly think that the fireplace looks brighter without the glass and it cuts back on all the glare. Of course you'll be dusting a bit without the glass covering, but think about it; if it was a real wood burning fireplace you'd be dealing with soot buildup.
Your dog looks like a Potcake? Considering one of these fireplaces, but they are $1700 at best, pricey for electric. We have a real fireplace in the basement rec area, but havent used it at all... considering it cost less that the electric to build 30 years ago.
I just had the original fan which was loud replaced by Dimplex, the replacement fan made it worse. I'm asking for Dimplex to refund us for this unit. We had a squeaky flame motor which the tech found wasn't screwed and assembled to the unit and just moved back and forth. I'm very disappointed in the lack of quality here, I've been a Dimplex fan for years. This experience makes me not want to purchase their products going forward. I do not recommend this unit !