Empire Tahoe Deluxe 36-Inch Direct-Vent Fireplace, Zero Clearance

At 20,000 BTU/hr and an 83% efficiency rating, the Empire Tahoe Deluxe 36-inch direct-vent fireplace earns its keep. This isn't ambient-glow territory — it's a genuinely capable heating appliance dressed up in a handsome package, ready to anchor a living room, bedroom addition, or finished basement without requiring you to rethink your entire wall construction.

The zero-clearance design means the unit can be framed directly into a standard stud wall (framing dimensions: 37 3/8" W × 35 3/4" H × 16 3/8" D), which keeps installation straightforward and opens up placement options that traditional masonry fireplaces simply can't match. Venting runs through a 4" inner / 6 5/8" outer direct-vent system, drawing combustion air from outside and exhausting cleanly — no chimney, no indoor air quality compromise.

Inside the firebox, a contour tube-style burner produces a realistic, layered flame that plays well against the included 5-piece hand-painted ceramic fiber log set. The logs are the kind of detail you notice: carefully rendered, not the afterthought castings that come with lesser units. The large heat-resistant tempered glass viewing window frames the whole scene generously, so the fire reads from across the room rather than disappearing into a narrow opening.

Ignition is handled by an intermittent pilot (IP) electronic system running on 120V AC — no standing pilot burning gas around the clock. And because power outages and cold snaps have a way of arriving together, the unit includes battery backup so you're not left staring at a dark firebox on the one night you most need a fire.

Output is adjustable between 14,000 and 20,000 BTU/hr, giving you a useful range for shoulder-season comfort versus deep-winter heating. The 3-year limited warranty covers the unit, and at 105 lbs the fireplace is substantial without being a logistical nightmare to move into place during installation.

Model DVD36FP70N is the natural gas, intermittent pilot, no-blower configuration. If you'd like a blower added, the DVD36FP71N is the equivalent blower-included variant. Millivolt ignition versions (DVD36FP30N and DVD36FP31N) and propane-compatible models (DVD36FP70P and DVD36FP71P) are also available — ask us about compatibility if you're working with an existing gas line or a propane setup.

• 20,000 BTU/hr maximum output with 83% efficiency rating
• Adjustable heat range: 14,000–20,000 BTU/hr
• Zero-clearance installation — no masonry chimney required
• Direct-vent system (4" inner / 6 5/8" outer) for clean, sealed combustion
• Intermittent pilot electronic ignition — no standing pilot flame
• Battery backup keeps the fireplace operational during power outages
• Contour tube-style burner for a realistic, layered flame appearance
• 5-piece hand-painted ceramic fiber log set included
• Large heat-resistant tempered glass viewing window
• Actual dimensions: 37" W × 35 5/8" H × 16 3/8" D
• Framing dimensions: 37 3/8" W × 35 3/4" H × 16 3/8" D
• Operates on 120V AC standard household power
• 3-year limited warranty
• Blower-ready sibling model and propane variants available