Empire Comfort SystemsEmpire Comfort Systems is a trusted American manufacturer of high-quality fireplaces, stoves, inserts, and home heating solutions. Known for reliable performance and lasting craftsmanship, Empire products deliver efficient warmth in a wide range of traditional and modern styles.
Empire Comfort Systems brings fireplaces, stoves, burners and log sets together under the White Mountain Hearth by Empire name. If you already know the maker, start with the kind of fire your home needs. The nine lines below cover built-in fireplaces, electric fires, inserts, fireboxes, freestanding stoves and outdoor options, along with burners and logs for an existing fireplace. You can choose a complete fireplace, a shell to finish your way, or a new fire for the hearth you already have.
Family owned and based in Belleville, Illinois since 1932, Empire offers traditional and contemporary fires across the main venting kinds. A builder frames its built-in units into a wall and finishes around them in stone, tile, or brick. Gas options use natural gas or propane, with standing pilot or electronic ignition choices on many pages. A standing pilot works with no electricity. A vent-free unit works as a room heater because nothing goes up a chimney, giving it the highest heating efficiency of the three venting kinds, while a direct vent unit keeps the fire sealed from the room. Compare other makers in our Fireplaces hub and Indoor Fireplaces collection.
The Empire fireplace collection brings gas fireplaces, electric fires, inserts and fireboxes together. Start here to compare the built-in choices by how they vent.
Choose an Empire Comfort Systems gas fireplace for a wall your builder frames around it. An Empire gas fireplace can have logs, crushed glass or a clean face. An Empire direct vent fireplace uses a sealed pipe outside. An Empire vent free fireplace needs no chimney, but check your local code. B-vent uses a pipe through the roof. Compare gas fireplaces across brands, linear fires, double sided fireplaces for two rooms and corner fireplace choices.
An Empire electric fireplace needs no gas line or chimney. Choose a traditional hearth shape or a linear wall-mounted or recessed fire, with glowing logs and pulsing embers. Browse our Electric Fireplaces hub to compare.
An Empire fireplace insert slides into an existing wood fireplace, with a surround covering the opening. Choose direct vent or vent free. Our Fireplace Inserts collection includes other fuels, while gas fireplace inserts keeps the comparison to gas.
An Empire firebox is a steel shell a builder frames a wall around. Gas shells need a matching burner. Wood choices include tall and low, wide openings. Compare indoor wood burning fireplaces, outdoor wood burning fireplaces and outdoor gas fireplaces for your setting.
An Empire gas stove stands on the floor without a framed wall. Choose steel or cast iron, direct vent or vent free, with hand painted ceramic logs and a long ember bed. Compare our freestanding gas fireplaces.
The Empire fire pit makes a linear backyard fire, 48 or 60 inches wide, with a stainless steel burner, crushed glass and lights. You finish its enclosure. Browse Gas Fire Pits or our Outdoor Fireplaces hub for other patio choices.
An Empire fireplace burner supplies the fire inside a compatible firebox. Choose rolling flames with separate logs, a glass bed or an outdoor burner. Compare gas fireplace burners and fire pit and outdoor burners.
The Empire gas logs line includes complete vent free sets with concrete logs or ceramic fiber logs, plus burners with logs as add-ons. A vented sand pan needs a working chimney. Compare Gas Fireplace Logs, ventless gas log sets and vented gas log choices.
Start with gas, electric or wood, then indoor or outdoor use. For gas, check whether direct vent, vent free or B-vent suits your home and local code. Decide between a new fireplace, a firebox you finish, or an insert, burner or log set for your existing fireplace. A freestanding stove avoids wall framing. The outdoor gas fireplaces, outdoor fireboxes, outdoor burners and fire pit all go in an enclosure a contractor frames and finishes in stone, stucco or tile. Check opening dimensions and pick the size on the page. Vent pipe or chimney is sold separately.
We are an authorized dealer, and the full manufacturer warranty applies. Before you order, call us and we will talk it through, including sizing, fuel, venting, ignition and local code questions. Check each page for included items and add-ons such as a blower, remote or wall thermostat.
The Bauer family owns Empire, and the fourth generation runs it in Belleville, Illinois. It grew from Henry Bauer's sheet metal shop, opened in 1911, and became Empire Stove Company in 1932. It is not part of a larger hearth group.
Empire has built hearth products in Belleville, Illinois since 1932. Its range covers gas, electric and wood burning choices, with standing pilot or electronic ignition on many gas units. A builder frames its built-in units into a wall like any factory built fireplace, and a standing pilot keeps a gas unit heating when the power is out. We are an authorized dealer, and every unit carries the full manufacturer warranty.
Empire assembles its fireplaces at its plants in Belleville, Illinois, across the river from St. Louis. The company has been there since 1932. The fireplaces, log sets, stoves and burners on this page carry the White Mountain Hearth by Empire name.
White Mountain Hearth by Empire is the name used for the company's fireplaces, inserts, fireboxes, stoves, burners and log sets. They come from the same company and factory. American Hearth is a sister name with a different look. Empire Comfort Systems is the company behind them.
We carry the units and the add-ons listed on their pages, including fronts, liners, doors, blowers, remotes, surrounds and covers. For a repair part, call us with the model number from your unit's rating plate and we will talk it through, including finding out what is available.
Customer Reviews
LOVE this suana. Maya and Norse Steam Team were amazing to work with!
A sauna turns your garden into a spa oasis. We debated it for a while, but after renovating our house, we pulled the trigger and bought a sauna from Norse Steam and Maya. She was always super responsive and helpful throughout the process. Don't kid yourself, getting a really nice sauna is not that easy. Sizing and heating need to be figured out, as does the building, but we have always had a helpful partner on our side. She never upsold us on anything we didn't need, and we got some nice freebies when the sauna was delivered. And now we can really enjoy every moment in our garden.
I'm really happy with my sauna purchase. Maya gave above and beyond excellent customer service. She wasn't pushy and gave impressive followup after the delivery to make sure everything was just right.
I enjoy my FD2 Sauna with Red Light, Infrared and radiant heat. Use it 5x a week and my post workout soreness is minimal and sleep great. Maya at Norse Steam was excellent to work with.
got amazing support for all my questions, fast delivery, and the team even reached out to me after to make sure everything was in order. perfect experience. highly recommended.
We purchased the 3-person sauna for our outdoor garden. We chose the cube sauna for the aesthetic and could not be happier.
I assembled by myself except for the 2 large panels (requires a few people). Instructions were good - took me two partial Saturdays to complete and a few hours to unpack and organize in advance of assembly. Had my elec. add a NEMA enclosure on the back for the controller and power for lights and a 2nd panel for the wireless control.
Customer service was excellent
They really went above and beyond to get my sauna up and running. I would really recommend them for any of your needs.
Awesome Sauna and Awesome Company and Experience purchasing it from Maya!
After much research I chose the Finnmark FD-2 and it has met and exceeded all my expectations! Easy to assemble and it functions great - just as advertised. I highly recommend it for home use!
Recently purchased the Finnmark one person after much research. Extremely happy with it and the ordering process. Maya was very responsive and helpful during the process and keeping us updated while we waited for shipment. There were several places I could have ordered this, but i chose Norse Steam based on the communication and customer service which was fantastic. The shipment was also excellent. The setup was pretty seamless for two people - but the best part is the sauna experience 10/10
Maya is amazing - super helpful and responsive. Looked at many stores, these guys have the best prices and service. Highly recommend
Norse Steam, and specifically Maya, were extremely helpful as I was making the decision for our Sauna. I was able to get all of the necessary details to make a decision as construction was happening in my backyard to make space for it.
We absolutely love the CL7G. It is extremely comfortable for 6 people (can fit more less comfortably). The Thermory Spruce and Aspen in the interior smells great. The lighting is lovely. We paired the CL7G with the Harvia Spirit 10.5kw.
Had great experience shopping at Norse Steam for the new heater. They had very good deal, with rocks. Customer service was good, and responded very fast with my questions. Received the heater, and it looks good, and the quality seem to be great. Will install soon, and am very excited to start experiencing sauna the way it ment to be
thanks Norse Steam for flawless transaction - I got instant replies on my questions, received competitive price on the wood stove and got it delivered within two weeks!
Can highly recommend Norse Steam for others.
I got the Norse Steam SaunaLife wood-fired hot tub, the S4N model, and its been seriously great. It heats up quicker than I expected, usually around an hour and a half, and once its hot, it stays that way for a good long while. The wood-fired system is simple to use, and honestly kind of fun.
The tub itself feels solid and well put together. The thermo-spruce exterior looks beautiful in person, and the fiberglass interior is smooth, deep, and easy to clean. Its the kind of setup that just works without a bunch of fuss, which I really appreciate.
Also, the team at Norse Steam was genuinely great to work with. Super helpful, quick to respond, and made the process really easy from start to finish. It felt like they actually cared that I was happy with it. The tub has totally become a go-to way to unwind, and I wouldnt change a thing.
This is a terrific stove from Harvia and is top quality, as youd expect from a reputable brand thats been in the sauna business for so long. Doing business with Norse Steam was also a pleasure. The order was processed quickly, communications from the company kept me up to date with processing and shipping, and everything arrived in perfect condition. Even scheduling the freight delivery for the stove and stones was a piece of cake. Everything went very smoothly and I will surely do business with them again in the future. Thanks for making it so easy
Maya was so knowledgeable and responsive. She helped me understand the product options and found a fantastic solution that fit our needs. Her follow through was very helpful and made us comfortable with our decision. We are extremely happy with the end result!
I recently purchased the Harvia Club sauna equipment, and I am thoroughly impressed with both the product and the customer service experience. The heaters robust performance and durable stainless steel construction make it ideal for larger sauna spaces, providing consistent heat and a relaxing environment. Its compatibility with advanced controls ensures a personalized sauna experience every time.
The customer service team was exceptional, prompt, knowledgeable, and helpful throughout the purchase process. They ensured smooth delivery and provided clear guidance on installation and operation. Overall, I highly recommend Harvia Club for anyone seeking premium-quality sauna equipment backed by excellent support!
Great experience purchasing Finnmark FD-2 from Norse Steam. Good communication and easy to assemble. Temperature increases quickly (30 minutes or less to 140) and maintains well. So far this has been a great purchase.
We purchased the Finnmark SD-1 sauna. Maya was extremely helpful with the purchase. We had an issue with the sauna not reaching the maximum temperature, and Maya connected us with the appropriate technician that explained how to correct the issue. The sauna now heats to the maximum temperature (170 degrees) in less than an hour, and it is a great unit. We are very happy with it, and we would definitely purchase from NorseSteam if we needed any other items.
I recently purchased a sauna from Norse Steam, and I couldn't be more impressed with the entire experience. From start to finish, their customer service was exceptional, and Maya deserves special recognition for her outstanding support!
Maya was incredibly knowledgeable and patient, answering all my questions about the sauna features, installation process, and maintenance. She went above and beyond to ensure I selected the perfect model for my home. Even after the purchase, Maya followed up to make sure everything was running smoothly and that I was satisfied with my sauna.
The sauna itself is top-notch beautifully designed, durable, and easy to use. It's clear that Norse Steam takes pride in the quality of their products and their commitment to customer satisfaction.
If you're considering a sauna, I wholeheartedly recommend Norse Steam. With their excellent customer service and high-quality products, you're in great hands. Thank you, Maya, and the entire Norse Steam team for a fantastic experience!
