Putting your plasma t.v. over the fireplace. Is this a good idea?

Question

I see this decorating style all over the place now. Won't heat from the fireplace do damage?

Answer 1

Depends. In most cases, newer homes have the direct-vent gas fireplaces. In those cases, there is no smoke and the heat is projected out and difused into the room. Also, in most cases there is a mantle or shelf between the fireplace and television that serves to further difuse the heat into the room.

For wood fireplaces, it shouldn't be any more of a problem than if it were on a wall in the room. There should be very little smoke from a properly built fireplace. Unless there is blockage, the rising heat going up the chimney actually causes air to flow up the chimney and take the smoke with it. It's pretty ingenious actually. And again - a mantle or shelf should difuse the heat.

Answer 2

It's not a good idea, not just because of the risk of heat and smoke damage, but because of the ergonomics: just imagine yourself on the couch looking up at that spot--chances are, you're going to be straining your neck.

Ideally, a large-screen TV should be lower. A handy rule of thumb is that your eye-level from your seated, viewing position should be one-third of the way up from the bottom of the screen--not much more than two or three feet.

Answer 3

If the heat doesnt get to it, the smoke can corrode electronics. I wouldn't risk it.

Answer 4

its certainly a bad idea. components dont last in heat ,

Answer 5

if the the fire is off well I don't thing so but if the fire is on put it as far as you can from the edge