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Does anyone here have experience with Mantis Gas Fireplace units?

simplemind's picture

Does anyone here have experience with Mantis Gas Fireplace units? (post #194526)

simplemind on Thu, 10/14/2010 - 06:37
in

I am looking at these units as a possibility to use in conjuction with a TV lift unit (behind the fireplace).  They are supposed to be 93% efficient, recover room moisture, and use pvc pipe as vent/exhaust.

Here is a link > http://www.empirecomfort.com/

They have only been out for a couple of years, and I haven't been able to chat with any users. At the price they are asking, I want some assurance. 

-A +A

What does "recover room (post #194526, reply #1 of 7)

by DanH in reply to simplemind [original] on Thu, 10/14/2010 - 15:33

What does "recover room moisture" mean?


We are like tenant farmers chopping down the fence around our house for fuel when we should be using Nature's inexhaustible sources of energy -- sun, wind and tide. ... I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. --Thomas Edison

What! No responses?  These do (post #194526, reply #2 of 7)

by simplemind in reply to simplemind [original] on Wed, 10/20/2010 - 07:56

What! No responses?  These do look to be the "real deal", but they are expensive, so I would really like to hear from a user or installer.

Thanks,

Mantis Gas Fireplace (post #194526, reply #3 of 7)

by third try in reply to simplemind [original] on Sat, 01/07/2012 - 13:33

I am looking for advice on this, as well.  Since you posted over a year ago, I wondered if you did install it, and how you like it.  Anybody else have experience with this gas fireplace? 

Mantis Gas Fireplace insert (post #194526, reply #7 of 7)

by KThaller in reply to third try [original] on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 12:44

I also own and have installed a Mantis Bay Window fireplace insert. It may do all that the broshure says, BUT at a cost to the pace and quiet of your room. The blower noise is very loud. You could not have a quiet conservation sitting by your fire. Before I try and return the unit ; I want to compare the decible levels to other makes. I have not been able to get that information from Empire so far. Still working on the issue.

Yes, I did install it and (post #194526, reply #4 of 7)

by simplemind in reply to simplemind [original] on Sat, 01/07/2012 - 14:36

Yes, I did install it and actually just fired it up at the end of the year.  What I can tell you is that it is a furnace.  It's put's out a lot of heat with very little gas and flame.  That said, it's noiser than I like.  There is an exhaust fan that starts up immediately, then as the heat builds up in the chamber a circulating fan kicks in.  I think there are something like 4 fan speeds depending on the chamber temp.  I have it right under the TV, so I wouldn't run it when watching TV because of the noise factor. 

It's a bit complicated to figure out all the internal workings, but you may be less technically challenged than I.  Here's a bad photo of the installation.

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Does anyone here have experience with Mantis Gas Firepalce units (post #194526, reply #5 of 7)

by bgdg in reply to simplemind [original] on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 09:19

Yes, we do.  Very efficient unit but the blower is quite noisy.  We installed it on the wall perpendicular to the TV wall.  We bought the unit last year.  Spoke to the gas company from whom we bought, to see if the manufacturer has a less noisy blower.

Likewise, I did buy/install (post #194526, reply #6 of 7)

by simplemind in reply to simplemind [original] on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 12:02

Likewise, I did buy/install last March.  Noisy as hell! I'm looking at some sound deadening material (Dynamat), used in automobiles as a possible solution, although with all that sheet metal, I doubt it will make a huge difference.

The unit does heat quite well and seems to be efficient, but the noise is not what I bargained for.  Did your gas co. give you an alternative?