Empire Loft Vent-Free Gas Fireplace - Model VFL20
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This is a vent-free model — check your local code first
Vent-free fireplaces are excellent in the right home and not permitted in others. It takes about ten minutes to confirm, and it is much cheaper to do it now than after installation.
What “vent-free” means
This unit burns gas with no chimney or flue, so all combustion products stay in the room. It is built and listed to ANSI Z21.11.2 and carries an oxygen-depletion sensor (ODS) that shuts off the gas if the oxygen level in the room falls.
Model fuel-gas code caps a vent-free heater at 40,000 BTU/h, limits the combined input of all unvented appliances to 20 BTU/h per cubic foot of room volume, and does not allow it to be the sole source of heat for a home. Your room size genuinely matters here.
Where it is restricted
- California — state law prohibits the sale of unvented heaters designed for use inside a dwelling. Vented decorative gas logs are expressly exempt.
- Minnesota — unvented room heaters and unvented decorative appliances may not be installed in any dwelling or occupancy. No exceptions in the rule.
- Wisconsin — permanently installed gas-fired unvented heating appliances may not be installed; unvented space heaters are separately prohibited in one- and two-family dwellings.
- Massachusetts — allowed only with a permit from the head of the fire department, inspection by the fire department and the gas inspector, a 40,000 BTU cap per room, a CO detector in the room, and never as the primary heat source.
- Manufactured (HUD-code) homes, anywhere in the US — federal rule requires fuel-burning heating appliances to be vented to the outside.
How to confirm for your address
Your city or county can be stricter than your state, and these rules change. That is why we do not publish a state-by-state map — the decision is made locally, by a person, not nationally. Call in this order:
- Local building department. Ask: is a vent-free gas fireplace permitted here, and do I need a permit? They know the adopted code edition and any local amendments.
- Fire department or fire marshal. Required in Massachusetts before the unit may be operated, and commonly the deciding authority elsewhere.
- Local or state gas / plumbing inspector. This is who signs off on the final inspection.
- Your gas utility. Some will not set or upgrade a meter for an unvented appliance.
We cannot give legal advice and we cannot approve an installation — only your local authority can. If you tell us what they say, we will help you match the right unit to it.
Based on primary sources: Cal. Health & Safety Code §19881 · Minn. R. 1346.5621 & 1346.5602 · Wis. Admin. Code SPS 365.0621 & SPS 323.04(2)(b) · M.G.L. c.148 §25A with 248 CMR 5.10 and 527 CMR 1.05 · 24 CFR 3280.707(b) · IFGC §621 and §303.3. Last reviewed August 2026.
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Ships in 4–12 days · Freight shipping
The details
Product details
The Empire Loft Vent-Free Gas Fireplace is a vent-free gas fireplace. No chimney or flue — combustion products discharge into the room, so room volume and local code both apply. Vent-free appliances are prohibited or restricted in several states — confirm with your local building department before ordering.
Options & Features
- 10,000 or 20,000 BTU burner options - no venting required
- Contemporary linear burner with customizable fireglass display
- Millivolt or intermittent pilot ignition options
- Fine mesh barrier screen standard; two surround sizes (4" x 3" or 7" x 6")
- 25-7/8" x 14-5/8" viewing area; natural gas or propane
| Brand | Empire |
|---|---|
| Fireplace type | Vent-free (unvented) |
| Configuration | Front-facing (single-sided) |
| Installation | Vent-free fireplace or insert |
| Maximum input | 20,000 BTU/hr (separate 10,000 BTU models also exist) |
Use the installation manual for final framing, venting and clearances. Requirements depend on the model and installation.
A built-in gas fireplace is sized by the manufacturer’s framing (rough opening) spec — the exact framing drawing for this model is in the manufacturer’s installation manual — see the Manufacturer Documents tab.
- New installs (direct-vent & vent-free) — confirm your wall or chase has the width, height, and depth the framing spec calls for, and plan the vent route for direct-vent models (through an exterior wall or the roof). Vent-free models need no vent at all.
- Inserts — measure your existing firebox in four places: front width, rear width, height, and depth, plus your chimney height. Compare against the insert’s minimum opening in Specifications.
- See-through & corner models — check the required wall depth between finished faces on both sides.
Find a fireplace for your space with our Fireplace Finder, or talk through your project with our team.
Documents from the manufacturer. Review them with your installer and confirm they cover your exact model and revision before using the specifications.
NFPA codes & standardsInstallation planning resourcesManufacturers may revise their documents. If a document conflicts with this listing or another document, ask our team and your installer to confirm the correct model-specific instructions before installation.
Plan your new fireplace with your installer. Share this model’s installation manual, confirm the framing and venting requirements, then choose the components your project needs. Check the manufacturer’s warranty for any installation or dealer requirements.
Ask your installer for a written estimate covering labor, venting, gas or electrical work, and any permits required for your project.
For help preparing for installation and finding a professional, read our installation guide.
Freight shipping. Ships in 4–12 days. Carrier transit is additional.
See our shipping policy for delivery arrangements and any freight charges. Oversized or crated orders may have additional charges.
Inspect your shipment on arrival and note visible damage on the delivery receipt. Read our freight delivery guide before arrival, and our return policy for order terms.
Changes and returns: custom and made-to-order items are final sale. Eligibility for other items depends on the order and condition. Contact us before returning anything and review our refund policy for the applicable terms.
Your fireplace is covered by its manufacturer’s limited warranty. Coverage for the firebox, glass and controls is specified in the warranty document supplied with this model.
Request the written warranty for this model or contact us with your order number and photos for help with a claim.
In real homes
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Frequently Asked
Does this fireplace need a chimney?
A vent-free gas fireplace does not connect to a chimney or flue. It releases combustion products into the room, so the model’s room-size and ventilation requirements matter. Availability and installation rules vary by location.
Is a vent-free fireplace legal where I live?
Vent-free gas fireplaces are restricted in some locations. Before ordering, ask your local building department or gas installer whether this model is permitted at your address and what room, ventilation and alarm requirements apply.
Can I install this myself?
Have a qualified fireplace installer handle the gas connection and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. They can also plan the venting, framing, electrical work and permits for your project.
How do I know it will fit the space I have?
For a new built-in fireplace, compare the model’s framing width, height and depth with the space available. Allow for its enclosure, vent route and finishing materials as shown in the installation manual. A photo and your plans can help our team discuss the options with you.
Can I mount a TV above this fireplace?
A fireplace and TV can share a wall when the layout meets both products’ requirements. Use the fireplace’s heat-management and mantel-clearance instructions together with the TV’s temperature limits to plan the position.
Can this be my main source of heat?
Choose a vent-free fireplace for supplemental warmth. Your installer should confirm the model’s room requirements and any local restrictions before installation.
What else do I need to buy to make this work?
A gas supply line run to the fireplace by a licensed gas fitter, and the correct fuel type — natural gas and propane are not interchangeable without the matching conversion kit. Framing and the finished surround are supplied by you or your builder. A carbon monoxide alarm in the same room is required in some jurisdictions and is a good idea everywhere with an unvented appliance.