Is Empire Comfort Systems a good fireplace brand?
Yes — Empire Comfort Systems is a long-established, well-regarded American hearth manufacturer, in business since the 1930s and based in Belleville, Illinois. They make solid direct-vent and vent-free gas fireplaces, gas logs, and heaters, including the White Mountain Hearth line. We don't stock Empire in our showroom, but our techs service all major brands.
A reputable name, just not one we display
Empire earns its reputation — dependable gas appliances, one of the better-known vent-free lineups, and genuine U.S. manufacturing. We simply built our showroom around 11 lines we know inside and out — Napoleon, Heat & Glo, Kozy Heat, Valor, Mendota, Regency and the rest — so we can size, install, and support them at a deep level. Leaving Empire off the floor is a curation call, not a knock on the brand.
If you already own an Empire unit
Repair is brand-agnostic. Our NFI-certified technicians service all major hearth brands, Empire included — pilots and thermocouples, gas valves, thermopiles, blowers, and sooty logs. We diagnose the problem, quote it upfront before any work begins, and most common parts ride on the truck, so a lot of repairs are done in a single visit. Call (828) 545-0525 and we'll get it looked at.
If you're shopping new
When someone comes in loving a specific Empire model, we'll give them a straight comparison to a line we carry and can stand behind end-to-end — the appliance, the licensed gas line, the county permit, the inspection, and our workmanship guarantee, all under one accountable roof. That single-source accountability is worth a lot when it's time for service years down the road. Start with a free in-home assessment.
Still deciding? Talk to a real installer.
Free assessments across Western North Carolina — no pressure, straight answers.