Empire Vail Premium 32" Vent-Free 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 Vail Premium 32 packs a full traditional fireplace into spaces where a chimney was never an option. At 32,000 BTU and 99.9% efficiency, it heats like a dedicated room heater while looking like a classic hearth — arched screen front, matte black hood and...
| Brand | Empire |
| Product Type | Fireplaces |
| Fuel Type | Natural Gas, Propane |
| Ignition | Millivolt, Electronic (IPI) |
| SKU | VFPA32BP30LN-1 |
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
Do I need a chimney or vent for the Vail Premium 32?
No — it is a vent-free appliance that burns cleanly enough to require no flue, keeping 99.9% of the heat in your room. It needs only a framed opening 35-1/2" W x 33-3/4" H x 16-1/4" D and a gas line.
Is vent-free legal in my state?
Vent-free appliances are prohibited in California and restricted in some jurisdictions (Massachusetts prohibits them in bedrooms/bathrooms and requires a licensed gas fitter). Confirm with your local building authority before ordering — we can help you check.
Are the logs included?
The burner, decorative rock and glowing embers are included; the hand-painted log set (ceramic fiber or refractory) is selected and ordered separately so you can choose the style you prefer.
How large must the room be?
At least 50 cu ft per 1,000 BTU/hr — about 1,600 cu ft for this 32,000 BTU unit (roughly 15' x 14' with 8' ceilings), unless additional combustion air is provided.
Can it heat during a power outage?
Yes — millivolt versions run entirely without household electricity, and even support battery remotes and wall thermostats, making the Vail a dependable backup heat source.