The World’s Most Efficient and Versatile Fireplace System

The Future of Efficiency

EfficientVersatile

The First and ONLY Vented Heater That

• Is Certified to Exceed 93% Efficiency – A.F.U.E. 

• Uses PVC Pipe for Low-Cost Venting Installation 

• Humidifies as it Heats

• Installs as Fireplace, Insert, or Freestanding Stove 

• Installs as a Direct-Vent or Single-Vent System

Patented Technology • Award Winning Design
93% How Efficient is Efficient?

 The super-efficient Mantis exceeds 93 Percent A.F.U.E. – making it the most efficient vented heater 

you can buy. 

 The U.S. government recognizes only Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) when comparing heater 

efficiency. Listings that show “Steady State” or other terminology tend to overstate efficiency and are not valid 

comparisons to AFUE. A heater rated at 75 to 80 percent Steady State might rate just 60-percent AFUE. 

Compared to a conventional gas heater, operating at 60-percent AFUE, the Mantis can save 35 percent on 

your annual heating bill. 

What Makes Mantis Unique?

 Inside the Mantis a three-stage heat exchanger captures more than 93 percent of the heat energy from 

the burner and directs this warm air into your home – not up the flue. This extraordinary heat transfer 

efficiency means, while the temperature inside the combustion chamber may exceed 900 degrees F, the 

exhaust gas exits the flue at just 120 to 130 degrees F – as little as two feet away! 

 This makes Mantis the first and only condensing fireplace, which means the exhaust from the Mantis is 

cool enough to run in PVC.

Mantis Conventional DV Fireplace

Efficiency 93% 60%

Gas Input (Btu/H) 28,000 28,000

Heat Output (Btu/H) 26,040 16,800

Exhaust Gas Heat Loss (Btu/H) 1,960 11,200!!

Annual Savings 35% 0 

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Welcome to Mantis

 Heating with a Mantis can reduce your annual heating costs by 35 percent - compared to a conventional 

direct-vent heater or fireplace. Heating with a natural gas Mantis in place of a pellet stove can save up to 50 

percent on fuel every year; or up to 42 percent compared to heating with a wood-burning stove. 

 And because the Mantis operates on Natural Gas or LP, you eliminate the mess and manual labor inherent 

in heating with solid fuels, such as pellets and wood.
 If the Mantis is so efficient, why does it not carry an Energy Star rating? 

 Mantis is so new to the U.S. market, it fits no current Energy Star category, however, it outperforms 

most Energy Star rated central furnaces in heat transfer efficiency. (The Mantis does not 

fit the furnace classification because it does not need “ductwork” to convey the heated 

air. Ironically, a central furnace’s ductwork contributes to heat loss.)

 In Australia, however, where this technology was originally developed, the Mantis 

earns a 5.52 out of 6 on that country’s Star Rating system. No vented zone heating 

system – U.S. or Australian – outperforms it. 

Developed in Australia more than 10 Years Ago

Patented Design – Worldwide

 The Mantis won the 2007 Innovation Award, which recognizes products that best help HVAC 

contractors provide safer, healthier, more efficient, and more comfortable environments. Sponsored by 

the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers, the Air Conditioning & 

Refrigeration Institute, & the International Exposition Company. 

 The Mantis earned the 2007 Dealer Design Award, which recognizes products that advance home 

heating & air conditioning, and attain new levels of installation, maintenance, and service ease. 

Sponsored by the NEWS, a monthly magazine serving HVAC Contractors. 

The Award Winning Mantis

 Because the Mantis uses PVC for venting, the total installed price (unit, labor, and materials) compares 

favorably to a direct-vent fireplace or pellet stove. 

 The Mantis puts the green in environmentally friendly. Its power-vented heat-exchanger technology 

ensures the optimal air/fuel mixture for consistently clean-burning operation. 

With its clean burn and super-efficient heat exchanger, the Mantis exhaust is as low as 120 degrees F, so it 

generates fewer greenhouse gases – CO and CO2 – per Btu of heat than conventional gas heat sources. 

 With the majority of the heat delivered to your room, the top and sides of the Mantis stay cool-to-thetouch – so cool, in fact, it earned a zero-clearance certification for installation against any combustible 

building materials.

 The dual burners deliver 9,000 Btu (front only), 19,000 Btu (rear only) or 28,000 Btu (combined). 

Operating the front burner alone lets you enjoy the ambiance of the attractive log set and gas fire without 

overheating the room. But, when the temperature dips, the Mantis rises to the occasion, switching on the 

second burner to produce maximum heat output.

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3 Star Rating Heater

Graph shows a simplified visual of actual laboratory testing. Graph shows a simplified visual of actual laboratory testing.

3 Star Rating Heater Archer 5.7 Star Rating Heater

Graph shows a simplified visual of actual laboratory testing. Graph shows a simplified visual of actual laboratory testing.

Archer 5.7 Star Rating Heater

Australia’s Star system graphically represents heat transfer efficiency. The red and orange areas represent area of 1,500-sq ft room heated after one hour at 28,000 Btu/H input in 

Independent Laboratory Testing. For comparison, a typical 60-percent A.F.U.E. system would rate just three stars.

 The American Heating and Refrigeration Institute is working with the U.S. Department of Energy to 

create an Energy Star category for gas-fired zone heating products. 
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Mantis Pedestal Package may be installed with or without pedestal
Inside the Mantis, separate systems create the heat and distribute the 

heat, so room air stays isolated from the combustion process.

Creating the Heat (White, Black and Gray Arrows) 

(A) The power vent blower draws in outdoor air (White Arrow) via the 

outer direct-vent pipe. 

(B) Inside the fireplace the three-stage burner, below the log set, mixes 

the air and gas (LP or natural) and burns it to produce heat.

(C) The power vent blower extracts the hot combustion gases (up to 900o 

Fahrenheit) out of the combustion chamber and through the heat 

exchanger (Black Arrow).

(D) The combustion gases exiting the heat exchanger (now cooled 

to 130o) are forced outdoors through the small diameter inner vent 

pipe (Gray Arrow).

Circulating the Warmth (Blue and Red Arrows)

(E) The circulation blower draws in room air (Blue Arrow) via 

louvers beneath the fireplace...

(F) ...and forces it across the heat exchanger fins. This transfers 

93% of the heat from the combustion gases inside the tubes to the 

room air flowing through the fins on the outside of the tubes. 

(G) The blower forces this warm air out through louvers above the fireplace to warm the home. 

Adding the Humidity

(H) Droplets of moisture, a by-product of the Mantis’ super-efficient heat exchanger, are captured in a holding tank (not visible).

(I) Once the Mantis reaches operating temperature, a pump cycles on to send the collected water onto a stainless steel tray above the 

combustion chamber, where heat and airflow circulate the water vapor. This added humidity helps alleviate the static shocks, wood 

furniture damage, and even sore throats caused by dry winter air. 

Advanced Technology and Solid-State Controls

 The sophisticated control system monitors every 

critical aspect of the Mantis’s operation to maximize 

efficiency, comfort, and safety. 

 For all its advanced technology, the Mantis is 

amazingly easy to operate. Two on/off buttons 

control the two burners, allowing you to set the 

temperature to low (front only), medium (rear only) 

or high (both burners). 

 Or, choose one of the optional external controls, 

such as the programmable thermostat, and let your Mantis deliver 

the right amount of heat for each day of the week and time of 

the day. 

 The Mantis automatically purges unburned gas from the 

combustion chamber for 40 seconds before each ignition for controlled, even starts every time. The 

modern, hot-surface ignitors conserve gas by eliminating the need for a standing pilot. 

 The three-speed automatic circulating fan cycles on only after the Mantis reaches operating 

temperature and continues blowing as long as it senses warm air. You never feel a cool draft – just warm, 

humidified air.

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6

Picture Frame Mantis Package
B 

C 

Humidify While You Heat - Greater Comfort

 The Mantis captures condensed water – a by-product of its clean

combustion and super-efficient heat exchanger – and evaporates it to 

introduce humidity to the room air. 

 This pure distilled water contains fewer contaminants than the drinking 

water in most homes. An automatic blower in the Mantis gently diffuses the 

humidified air into the room. 

 The result is a more comfortable home environment. 

 

(A) Heat and circulating air evaporate the water to create humidity.

 

(B) Mantis pumps the water onto an evaporation tray above the firebox.

(C) Water vapor, a combustion by-product, condenses out of rapidly 

cooled exhaust and collects in a holding tank (not shown).

Automatic Humidification

Most heaters dry the air. Mantis actually adds humidity to the home 

for greater winter comfort.

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 Critical internal components in the Mantis – including the heat exchanger – are manufactured from 

the same corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant stainless steel originally developed for high-efficiency 

central furnaces. 

 The Mantis is available with decorative fireplace frames in rich 24-karat gold plating, contemporary 

nickel chrome plating, or matte black. The steel cabinet is finished in matte black powder coating to 

resist chipping and smudging. 

 Precision-formed one-piece ceramic glass withstands temperatures in excess of 1,500-degrees F and 

radiates more heat into the room, while providing a great view of the flames and log set from any angle.

 The Mantis’ hand-painted ceramic fiber log set complements the flame pattern, 

and glows when heated to provide exceptional realism. 

 Two rugged printed circuit boards – designed specifically for the Mantis – 

monitor all functions and controls. The hand-assembled wiring harness 

is made from heat-insulated copper wire fitted with click-lock 

connectors for reliable performance. 

 Two powerful blowers inside the Mantis feature maintenance-free 

motors driving precisely balanced fans for a lifetime of efficient 

performance. One fan draws air into the combustion chamber 

and draws hot gases through the heat exchanger. The second

fan draws room air across the heat exchanger and circulates

the warmed air throughout the room. 

 To ensure your fireplace performs flawlessly, every Mantis is 

connected to gas, electricity, and a PVC exhaust system, and 

test fired before it leaves our factory. 

Quality Construction – Factory Tested 
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Mantis Pedestal Package with Chrome Frame
Versatile Installation

 With the power-vented exhaust and intake made from PVC, the 

venting options are numerous. Install the Mantis as a direct-vent 

co-axial system, as a direct-vent co-linear, or as a single-vent system. 

Using PVC for venting significantly reduces installation time, and 

requires cutting a much smaller opening in the home’s exterior than 

is required for conventional metal venting. This makes Mantis ideal 

for any installation, especially for sunrooms, basements, and other 

applications that demand unobtrusive venting. 

 Any vent configuration may be used with any Mantis package. 

Packages include PVC vent adaptors for single and co-linear 

venting. Lengths of 1 1/2-inch PVC to complete the vent run are 

available at your local hardware store.

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Zero-Clearance Fireplace Package

Mantis installed with co-axial directvent along an outside wall (up to 4 ft). 

Shown with Empire cabinet mantel. 

Freestanding Pedestal

Stove Pakage

Pedestal Mantis package 

installed with co-linear directvent or single vent running 

down and out through a 

basement or crawlspace to a 

horizontal termination (up to 

40 ft of PVC). Single-vent 

and direct-vent 1 1/2-inch 

PVC runs can also route up 

and out an exterior wall or up 

and out through the roof. 

Fireplace Insert Package

Mantis installed as an insert in 

an existing wood-burning or 

vented gas fireplace, with co-linear 

direct-vent or single-vent vertical 

termination (up to 40 ft of PVC).
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Mantis Fireplace Package (Shown with Surround in Oak Mantel)

Surround Options

Bay Window Mantis with 3-piece surround Flat Front Mantis with 3-piece surround Flat Front Mantis with 4-piece surround
Mantis Packages

Mantis Fireplace Package for Zero-Clearance Fireplace

Includes PVCA Co-linear Adaptor, PVVKSH Vent Adaptor, PV2H Slim Top, 

Surround, T24V 24-V Thermostat

Flat Front Bay Window

FW28-BM N/A Mantis Fireplace Picture Frame Package, Black Door (for in-wall installation)

FF28-BM BF28-BM Mantis Fireplace Package, Black Door (for use with mantel)

N/A BF28-CM Mantis Fireplace Package, Chrome Door (for use with mantel)

N/A BF28-GM Mantis Fireplace Package, Gold Door (for use with mantel)

Mantis Insert Package for Installation in an Existing Fireplace

Includes PVCA Co-linear Adaptor, PVVKSH Vent Adaptor, PVTC Termination Cap, 

PVVKCFA Vent Flex Kit (x 2), PV2H Slim Top (for Bay Window), PVE-1 Surround, and T24V 24-V Thermostat

FI28-BM BI28-BM Mantis Insert Package, Black Door

N/A BI28-CM Mantis Insert Package, Chrome Door

N/A BI28-GM Mantis Insert Package, Gold Door

Mantis Pedestal Package for Installation as a Freestanding Stove (with or without pedestal)

Includes PVCA Co-linear Adaptor, PVVKSH Single-Vent Adaptor, PVPK Pedestal, 

PVVTC Termination Cap, T24V 24-V Thermostat

N/A BP28-BM Mantis Pedestal Package, Black Door

N/A BP28-CM Mantis Pedestal Package, Chrome Door

N/A BP28-GM Mantis Pedestal Package, Gold Door

Additional Control Options

TMV TMV Wall Thermostat, Wireless 

FRBTC FRBTC Remote Control, Thermostat, Battery Operated

FRBTP FRBTP Remote Control, Programmable, Battery Operated

Mantis Options and Accessories

PV-4H Top, 10-inch, for insert installation, projects Mantis further into room (Bay Window)

PVSH Black Metal Rear Shroud, 5-inch deep, conceals vent pipes on Pedestal Package 

Floor Pad Floor Pad May be required for applications over carpet or tile – see dealer

EMBF-9S EMBF-12S Cabinet Mantel

EMBC-9S EMBC-12S Corner Cabinet Mantel 

Mantels are available in Cherry, Dark Oak, Oak, Nutmeg, Unfinished Hardwood, Unfinished Oak, and White. 

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Empire is committed to continuous product improvement; specifications are subject to change without notice. Flame size, 

shape, and color will vary from photos. Our mantels feature natural veneers and hand-rubbed finishes – wood grain and color 

will vary. Adjust light levels and use “natural light” incandescent bulbs to enhance the dramatic look for your wooden mantel. 

EMPIRE 

Comfort Systems 

EMPIRE 

Comfort Systems 

EMPIRE 

Comfort Systems 

Mantis is a trademark of Empire Comfort Systems Inc.

• 918 Freeburg Ave. • Belleville, IL 62220-2623

e-mail: info@empirecomfort.com

 ©Empire Comfort Systems Inc. 

ECS-00721 Rev. A 3/09 

Member of the following industry associations:

This appliance is design-certified 

to the ANSI standard by:

 • Limited 10-Year Warranty on Heat Exchanger

 • Limited 5-Year Warranty on Parts

 • Limited 2-Year Warranty on Labor

 (See owner’s manual for complete warranty information)

Warranty Overview

Fan: 3-Speed Automatic (cycles on only when heat is available)

Ignition: Hot Surface (eliminates standing pilot)

Humidification: Automatic

Heating: Heats up to 1,600 sq ft 

 (actual area heated will depend on heater position, floor layout, and home insulation)

Clearance: Zero clearance to combustibles

Nat/LP Input (Btu/H) Efficiency Output (Btu/H) 

High (Both Burners) 28,000 93% 26,040 

Med (Back Burner) 19,000 93% 17,670 

Low (Front Burner) 9,000 93% 8,370

Specifications: