Casual Living,
The annual competition is sponsored jointly by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-


Conditioning Engineers, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute and the International Exposition Company

Empire Comfort Systems’ new Mantis fireplace was awarded a first place 2014 AHR Expo Innovation Award in the heating category. 

The Innovation Awards recognize products that best help HVAC contractors provide safer, healthier, more efficient and comfortable environments. The annual competition is sponsored jointly by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, and the International Exposition Company. 

First-place winners were named in just nine categories out of 125 entries. Products were judged by a panel of ASHRAE members for their innovation, application, value to the user and market impact. 
The Mantis combines the aesthetics of a fireplace with the energy-efficiency of a modern central heating system. It employs a three-stage stainless steel heat exchanger, hot-start ignition, power venting, and solid-state controls – technologies not normally associated with hearth products. The Mantis uses PVC for exhaust and intake for low installation cost – another first for a hearth product. 

The basic system uses manual controls, but connects to a wall thermostat, remote control, or programmable thermostat remote control. The Mantis includes realistic, hand-painted logs set in a ceramic glass bay window. 

For information, visit www.empirecomfort.com or call 800 851-3153.