Articles

Best Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces 2026: Top Brands Compared

By Fireplace Choice April 23, 2026 | 2026 buying guide comparison direct vent empire gas fireplace heat-n-glo mendota valor | 0 comments

TL;DR — The best direct vent gas fireplaces of 2026, by category: Best Overall — Mendota FullView (massive viewing window, premium cast iron build). Best Linear — Empire Boulevard (modern linear at value pricing). Best Premium Traditional — Heat-N-Glo True Series. Best Radiant Heat — Valor Horizon (real radiant heat,...

Vent-Free vs Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces: Which Is Better in 2026?

By Fireplace Choice April 23, 2026 | 2026 buying guide comparison direct vent empire gas fireplace heat-n-glo vent-free | 0 comments

TL;DR — Direct vent is the safer, code-approved-everywhere choice — sealed combustion through an exterior wall or roof, no indoor air quality concerns, approved for bedrooms. Vent-free is the cheaper, easier-to-install choice (no chimney needed) but is restricted in CA, MA, parts of NY, and not approved for bedrooms in...

Empire Fireplace Buying Guide: Every Series Compared

By Fireplace Choice March 30, 2026 | boulevard buying guide carol rose empire empire comfort systems gas fireplace hearthrite rushmore tahoe | 0 comments

Empire Comfort Systems has been manufacturing gas fireplaces, heaters, and stoves in Belleville, Illinois since 1932. With product lines spanning from budget-friendly vent-free heaters to premium $10,000+ linear fireplaces, Empire offers one of the broadest catalogs in the hearth industry. This guide breaks down every major Empire fireplace series to...

ODS Pilot Assembly Guide: What It Is and When to Replace It

By Fireplace Choice March 19, 2026 | Empire gas fireplace ODS oxygen depletion sensor pilot assembly replacement safety Superior vent-free | 0 comments

If you own a vent-free (ventless) gas fireplace, gas log set, or wall heater, your unit almost certainly uses an ODS pilot assembly. ODS stands for Oxygen Depletion Sensor — a critical safety device that shuts off the gas if oxygen levels in the room drop below a safe threshold....

How to Find Your Gas Fireplace Model Number

By Fireplace Choice March 19, 2026 | Empire gas fireplace Heat N Glo Heatilator how-to identification model number Napoleon Superior | 0 comments

Ordering the right replacement part for your gas fireplace starts with one critical piece of information: your model number. Without it, you're guessing — and guessing with gas fireplace parts can mean ordering the wrong thermocouple length, the wrong pilot assembly type, or a gas valve that doesn't fit.This guide...