Empire Tahoe Deluxe 36" Direct Vent Gas Fireplace
Prefer to order by phone or have install questions? (949) 619-7824 — real experts, 7 days a week.
Configurator · Step-by-step
Configure Your Fireplace
Pick your fuel, ignition & options — total updates as you go.
Fireplace Guide · Find Your Match
Not sure about color? Order finish samples
$10 each · Free shipping · Auto-emailed $10 promo code per sample (max $50) for your fireplace door order
Hold the actual finish in your hand before you commit. We ship physical swatches the same business day — and our system auto-emails you a unique $10-off code per sample, valid 30 days on your door order. Stack 'em: order 5 samples, get $50 off your doors.
The Tahoe Deluxe 36 is Empire's workhorse direct vent fireplace — a sealed-combustion, zero-clearance firebox that draws all of its combustion air from outdoors, so it never competes with your living space for oxygen. At 20,000 BTU with a hand-painted 5-piece ceramic fiber log set...
| Brand | Empire |
| Product Type | Fireplaces |
| Fuel Type | Natural Gas, Propane |
| Ignition | Millivolt, Electronic (IPI) |
| SKU | DVD36FP30N |
A built-in gas fireplace is sized by the manufacturer’s framing (rough opening) spec — you’ll find the exact dimensions for this model in the Specifications tab above.
- 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.
Not sure which model fits your space? Take the 60-second Fireplace Finder quiz, or talk to a fireplace expert — free help 7 days a week.
Buying online and hiring a local installer is standard practice — the manufacturer’s warranty applies in full. Line up your installer before you order: send them this model’s spec sheet, agree the venting route, then add the exact venting and accessories they specify in the configurator so everything arrives together.
Typical professional installation runs $800–$2,000 for inserts and simple direct-vent runs, up to $3,500+ for complex venting (labor and permits vary by region). Vent-free models with an existing gas line run less.
How to find an NFI-certified installer, the questions to ask, permits, and what to do if a local dealer won’t touch online-bought equipment: read the installation guide.
Free freight shipping within the contiguous US (Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada by quote). Fireplaces ship factory-new via FedEx, UPS, or AIT freight — you’ll receive tracking by email, and for freight deliveries the carrier calls ahead to schedule. Typical transit is 3–6 business days once shipped.
At delivery: inspect before you sign. Note any damage on the delivery receipt and contact us within 24 hours with photos — confirmed transit damage is repaired or replaced at no cost to you. Full walkthrough: how freight delivery works.
Returns: fireplaces and their configured accessories (log sets, liners, venting) are ordered from the manufacturer to your specification. You can change or cancel within 48 hours of ordering; after shipment, returns are handled with the manufacturer case by case — contact us first and we’ll make it right. Full details in our refund policy.
Every fireplace we sell is factory-new from an authorized dealer and covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. Empire warrants key components like the firebox and heat exchanger for extended periods — many with limited lifetime coverage on the combustion chamber — with shorter terms on burners, glass, electronics, and finishes (see the owner’s manual for this model’s exact schedule).
Keep your order confirmation as proof of purchase and register your unit with the manufacturer after installation. Need help with a claim? Contact us — we’ll coordinate with the manufacturer for you.
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Frequently Asked
Does the Empire Tahoe Deluxe 36 need a chimney?
No. It is a direct vent fireplace — it vents horizontally through a wall or vertically through the roof using 4" x 6-5/8" coaxial direct vent pipe, and draws all combustion air from outside for a fully sealed system.
What is the difference between Millivolt and Electronic (IPI) ignition?
Millivolt uses a standing pilot and works with no household electricity — ideal where outages are a concern. Electronic intermittent pilot (IPI) lights the pilot only when needed, saving gas, and includes battery backup for outages.
Can I install the Tahoe Deluxe 36 in a bedroom?
Yes. It is approved for bedroom and bed-sitting room installation in the USA and Canada as a sealed direct vent appliance.
Is a blower included?
No — the fireplace comes pre-wired with a junction box for the optional FBB4 variable-speed blower, which can be added at installation or later.
Do I need anything else to operate this fireplace?
Yes, a barrier screen (DVFB36SBL) is required for safe operation and is sold separately. A vent kit matched to your installation (top or rear, horizontal or vertical) is also required.