Empire Tahoe Deluxe 48" Direct-Vent Zero Clearance Gas Fireplace

The Empire Tahoe Deluxe 48-inch direct-vent fireplace is built around a 28,000 BTU rated burner operating at 83% steady-state efficiency — numbers that translate directly into serious, sustained heat output rather than just a pretty flame. At 49 inches wide and 37.62 inches tall with a framing depth of just 16.375 inches, this is a zero-clearance unit designed to fit cleanly into a wall without demanding a full masonry cavity or a structural redesign of your living space.

Out of the box, the Tahoe Deluxe comes equipped with a log set, burner, and an aged brick ceramic fiber liner that gives the firebox a genuine sense of warmth and depth — the kind of detail that makes the difference between a fireplace that looks installed and one that looks intentional. The 22 x 42.5-inch glass viewing area is generously proportioned for a unit of this depth, giving you a wide, unobstructed view of the fire. Matte black arch louvers frame the front with a clean, architectural finish.

Ignition is handled by an intermittent pilot (IP) electronic system, which means no standing pilot wasting gas between uses — the system lights on demand. The on/off switch control includes both AC adapter operation and battery backup, so if the power goes out on the coldest night of the year, the Tahoe Deluxe can still run on battery power and keep the heat flowing. Worth noting: under normal daily use, the IP system does require a 120V AC connection.

Venting uses a 4-inch inner flue within a 6.625-inch outer pipe — a standard direct-vent configuration that draws combustion air from outside and exhausts directly out, keeping indoor air quality unaffected by the firebox entirely. The framing dimensions of 49.375 inches wide by 37.75 inches tall by 16.375 inches deep are the numbers your contractor will want before the framing crew arrives.

A barrier screen or door set with frame is required and sold separately — this is not a unit you leave open-faced. The design also accommodates an optional variable-speed blower for active heat distribution, and if the included aged brick liner isn't your aesthetic, optional liners are available in herringbone, stacked limestone, and black reflective styles. Each one changes the character of the firebox substantially, so it's worth considering before the surround goes up.

The Tahoe Deluxe 48 is the kind of fireplace that rewards a little planning upfront — the right framing dimensions noted, the right liner chosen, the right screen selected — and then largely stays out of the way, doing its job quietly and efficiently for years to come.

• 28,000 BTU natural gas burner at 83% steady-state efficiency
• 48-inch zero-clearance direct-vent design — no masonry chase required
• Intermittent pilot electronic ignition: lights on demand, no standing pilot
• Battery backup capability keeps heat running during power outages (120V AC required for daily use)
• Generous 22 x 42.5-inch viewing glass for a wide, unobstructed flame view
• Includes log set, burner, and aged brick ceramic fiber liner
• Matte black arch louvers included for a clean, finished front appearance
• Framing dimensions: 49.375"W x 37.75"H x 16.375"D
• 4" x 6.625" direct-vent flue configuration
• Optional variable-speed blower available for active heat distribution
• Compatible with optional liners: herringbone, stacked limestone, and black reflective
• Barrier screen or door set with frame required — sold separately