CAN I MOUNT MY TV OVER THE FIREPLACE?

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3/16/2011 - If you have been to Costco, Walmart, or Best Buy recently, then you’ll have to agree that it doesn’t take a shopping expert to realize that one of the biggest selling electronic items is the LCD, LED, and plasma TV’s. And it’s not just little units, but the bigger the better. In the old days a 27” TV was big, nut not anymore. 42” models are the equivalent of a 19” TV when I was young. 52”, 60” and 72” models seem to be the standard sellers today. These are typically wall mounted units and the question always arises as to where the new TV’s can and cannot be mounted. In fact, the question I receive on my home inspections more than almost any other is “Can I mount my new TV over the fireplace?” It is a great question that deserves a great answer.

REALITY - The manufacturers want you to keep the units away from any major heat sources. Why? Doing so prevents any issues that could possibly arise from excessive heat. Just like your Mother who did not want you to play in the street when you were a kid, the manufacturers are definitely being cautious in their advice. After all, a fireplace is a heat source. I know, I know, there must be a certain rule to follow. Simple blanket advice is not enough for most TV owners, so I found some rational advice and a simple test online that you can perform to help you make your own determination. The usual disclaimers apply... DISCLAIMER: Michael Leavitt is not responsible for ruining your brand new LCD, LED, or plasma TV because you decided to hang it over a fireplace. The information shared is done so to aid you in finding good information upon which to base your own risk filled decision. Let me repeat, you are a grown up adult and if you place the TV over a heat source, then it is at your own risk. Don’t even think you are opening my wallet to pay for your Big Boy decision. 4 out of 5 dentists agree with my disposition. And even after rigorous polling of patrons of the Pleasant Grove City Pool, I will not change my disposition. So in the absence of a Supreme Court decision, I recommend you perform the test below and if you find temperatures under those recommended, then mount the huge theater sized TV and sit down and enjoy a good BYU Jimmer Fridette basketball game, episode of Survivor, or watch “Church Ball” the movie... Oh yeah, please remember to anchor the unit to the wall just in case there is an earthquake... Enjoy!

VIZIO TV WEBSITE - http://vizio.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/66/kw/Fireplace

If you choose not to have your television professionally installed then Vizio recommends mounting your television at eye level and away from any external heat sources (IE: Fireplaces, Heaters, etc.).

From the PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com website

Plasma TVs Above the Fireplace?

Reviewer: Phil Conner

Website: PlasmaTVBuyingGuide.com

We receive a lot of e-mails asking about the possibility (or even plausibility) of placing a Plasma television or plasma monitor above a fireplace.

If the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, then the area is receiving too much heat.

Living room configurations often put the fireplace as the central focal point. Since we all know that the real focus of your living room is the television, we hit upon the question of integration -- how to merge the logical focal point of a living room (the fireplace) with the actual one (the TV). The introduction of plasma displays has made such integrative gestures real possibilities. Mounting a plasma display above the fireplace is a great space saver, not to mention an attractive way to display the panel. This is a very common application for plasma TVs today.

Will the heat from the fireplace harm the plasma TV?

There are a few precautions to take before hanging a plasma screen TV over your fireplace. First, take a thermometer and tape it to the wall above the mantel, in the place where the plasma TV will reside. Then build a fire, and let it roar awhile. Now, check the thermometer. If the temperature is above 90 degrees F (32° C), then the area is receiving too much heat -- either escaping from the front of the fireplace and rising up the face, or radiating through the chimney to warm the outside wall -- for a plasma TV to hang there without receiving some modicum of residual damage. It would not be advisable to run the plasma for a long period of time while its environment is this hot. Plasma Though the Plasma TV has its own cooling system, the surrounding heat will force the Plasma display to work harder to cool itself, thus shortening the overall lifespan of the unit over time. A Plasma TV may still be run for short periods of time without harming the unit (even with the environment heat at 90 degrees F or above).

If the plasma display is not turned on while a fire burn in the fireplace, then the unit will not be harmed at all even though the temperature surrounding the unit may be warm. Of course, this might not be an option for people living in places where winter lasts seemingly forever, and fires are an everyday fact of life. In such cases, you should be advised to monitor the amount of heat your plasma display is exposed to while it is running.

Can the Plasma TV be mounted onto a brick fireplace?

Yes, cement anchors may be used with the wall mount to secure this application. Again, the amount of heat to which your plasma is exposed should be a concern here, as some brick fireplaces can radiate quite a bit of heat.

Will the Plasma Display TV be too high? Can I tilt it?

Even though plasma TVs typically have a 160-degree viewing angle, tilt wall mounts may be purchased if the mantel is high. A tilt wall mount application will allow the user to tilt the unit from up to 15 to 25% vertically (in this case, downward). With this mounting installation the user will have the choice between a flat or tilted affect while adding only 1.75 inches depth to the plasma TV. A flat wall mount can add as little as 1.25 inches to the depth. So, the difference is only half an inch.

Can I just place the plasma on the mantel?

A typical table stand for a Plasma TV is between 4 and 6 inches in depth. If your mantel can accommodate such a plasma TV stand, you have it made.

Obviously some of you have an LCD or LED TV and not a plasma, and you have the same question. Wouldn’t you know it, there is a sister website with almost the exact same information as that of the plasma advice above...

LCD/LED TVs above the Fireplace: Mounting Instructions

Reviewer: Phil Conner

WEBSITE: LCDTVBuyingGuide.com

LCD We receive a lot of e-mails asking about the possibility (or even plausibility) of placing an LCD television above the fireplace. The common question is, "Is it advisable and if so how do I mount it?"

LCD and LED TVs run cooler than plasma TVs on average so heat is not as much of a concern. Still a thermometer test is a good idea. A consistently hot environment over time will reduce the life span of an LCD TV and/or cause malfunction. Place the thermometer above the mantle of the fireplace and light a fire. If the thermometer shows 90 degrees or more and you will be using the fireplace and TV in unison much of the time, then this heat might affect your TV over time. It really depends upon how often you will use them at the same time and whether or not a lot of heat is penetrating the area where the TV will be displayed. In 90 percent of cases, it's perfectly fine to mount your LCD TV above the fireplace.

Can the LCD/LED TV be mounted onto a brick fireplace?

Yes, cement anchors may be used with the wall mount to secure this application. Again, the amount of heat to which your LCD is exposed should be the major concern here, as some brick fireplaces can radiate quite a bit of heat.

What kind of mount do I need to mount the TV? Will it be too high.

There are two types of mounts that should solve the problem. A tilt wall mount will be the least expensive option and add the least amount of depth between the TV and the wall. These mounts typically tilt up to 15% to 25% vertically (in this case downward). The second option is an articulating wall mount which can be manipulated much more swiveling both side to side and vertically. This will provide more flexibility and opportunity for direct viewing. Articulating wall mounts are a good bit more expensive than a tilt wall mount.