MODULAR ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRIC FIREPLACE

1 . An electric fireplace comprising:

a fireplace housing; and

a heater assembly that is configured to generate heated air, the heater assembly being configured to be installed substantially within the fireplace housing, the heater assembly including a heater body, and a grill cover that is couplable to the heater body;

wherein the grill cover includes a cover body that is couplable to the heater body, and at least one extender that is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the cover body;

wherein the cover body has a first cover length, and wherein the cover body and the at least one extender cooperate to have a second cover length that is greater than the first cover length; and

wherein the second cover length is substantially equal to a dimension of the fireplace housing.

2 . The electric fireplace of claim 1 wherein the heater body has a body length; and wherein the first cover length is substantially equal to the body length.

3 . The electric fireplace of claim 1 wherein the at least one extender is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to an outer lateral edge of the cover body.

4 . The electric fireplace of claim 3 wherein the grill cover includes two extenders, with one extender positioned substantially adjacent to each of the outer lateral edges of the cover body.

5 . The electric fireplace of claim 1 wherein the second cover length is at least approximately 100 millimeters greater than the first cover length.

6 . The electric fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a controller including a processor that is coupled to the heater assembly, the controller being configured to control operation of the heater assembly.

7 . The electric fireplace of claim 1 further comprising one or more simulated logs and a grate that is configured to support the one or more simulated logs; wherein the one or more simulated logs and the grate are configured to be positioned substantially within the fireplace housing.

8 . The electric fireplace of claim 7 further comprising a flame generator that is configured to generate a simulated flame, the heater assembly and the flame generator being installed independently of one another within the fireplace housing.

9 . The electric fireplace of claim 8 further comprising an electrical connection assembly for electrically connecting the heater assembly and the flame generator to a power source, the electrical connection assembly including (i) a first electrical cable assembly that is configured to be electrically coupled at one end to the heater assembly, and electrically coupled at the other end to the power source; and (ii) a second electrical cable assembly that is configured to be electrically coupled at one end to the heater assembly, and electrically coupled at the other end to the flame generator.

10 . The electric fireplace of claim 9 wherein the first electrical cable assembly includes an AC power cord; and wherein the second electrical cable assembly includes a low voltage DC cable.

11 . The electric fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a downlight light source that is configured to direct light in a downward direction within the fireplace housing to provide a glowing effect for the fireplace housing.

12 . The electric fireplace of claim 1 further comprising a cabinet that defines a structural opening; wherein the fireplace housing and the heater assembly are configured to be independently installed within the structural opening of the cabinet; and wherein the second cover length is substantially equal to a dimension of the structural opening.

13 . An electric fireplace comprising:

a cabinet that defines a structural opening; and

a heater assembly that is configured to generate heated air, the heater assembly being configured to be installed substantially within the structural opening, the heater assembly including a heater body, and a grill cover that is couplable to the heater body;

wherein the grill cover includes a cover body that is couplable to the heater body, and at least one extender that is configured to be positioned substantially adjacent to the cover body;

wherein the cover body has a first cover length, and wherein the cover body and the at least one extender cooperate to have a second cover length that is greater than the first cover length; and

wherein the second cover length is substantially equal to a dimension of the structural opening.

14 . The electric fireplace of claim 13 wherein the heater body has a body length; and wherein the first cover length is substantially equal to the body length.

15 . The electric fireplace of claim 13 wherein the cabinet includes a cabinet top; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the structural opening substantially adjacent to the cabinet top.

16 . The electric fireplace of claim 13 wherein the cabinet includes a center shelf; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the structural opening substantially adjacent to the center shelf.

17 . The electric fireplace of claim 13 wherein the cabinet includes a cabinet base; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the structural opening substantially adjacent to the cabinet base.

18 . The electric fireplace of claim 13 further comprising a fireplace housing that is configured to be installed within the structural opening of the cabinet; and wherein the heater assembly is configured to be installed within the fireplace housing.

19 . The electric fireplace of claim 13 further comprising a controller including a processor that is coupled to the heater assembly, the controller being configured to control operation of the heater assembly.

20 . The electric fireplace of claim 13 further comprising a downlight light source that is configured to direct light in a downward direction within the structural opening to provide a glowing effect for the structural opening.