Empire Innsbrook Vent-Free Gas Fireplace Insert, Millivolt (VBPC28)

Empire Innsbrook Vent-Free Gas Fireplace Insert, Millivolt (VBPC28)

The Empire Innsbrook VBPC28 is a 28,000 Btu/hr vent-free gas fireplace insert for an existing wood-burning fireplace or a framed wall, with a built-in blower and no chimney or vent pipe.

This is the millivolt version (model numbers VBPC28IN31N and VBPC28IN31P), with a standing pilot and an on/off switch that need no house power. A log set, the banded brick liner and a surround are ordered separately and are needed before it can run.

The Innsbrook VBPC28: A 28,000 Btu Ventless Gas Insert

The insert is 32 1/4" wide, 22 1/8" high and 17 5/8" deep. It fits a wood-burning masonry or factory-built fireplace with an opening of at least 22 3/8" high, 30 1/2" wide at the front, 19" at the rear and 15" deep, or a framed wall with a 30 1/2" x 22 3/8" x 15" rough opening.

Pick an 18" ceramic fiber (LS18EF) or refractory (LS18CR) log set and add the banded brick liner (VBP28SE). The room must be an unconfined space of at least 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/hr, which is 1,400 cubic feet at 28,000 Btu/hr.

See every model in our gas fireplace inserts collection, or browse all vent-free fireplaces.

Deciding between a new fireplace and an insert? Our guide to fireplace vs. fireplace insert explains the difference. Weighing vent-free against direct vent? Our guide to direct vent vs. vent-free gas fireplaces covers the pros, the cons and where vent-free isn't allowed. Choosing between millivolt and intermittent pilot? Our guide to millivolt vs. electronic ignition gas fireplaces explains the difference.

Features

• Heat: 28,000 Btu/hr on natural gas or propane, adjustable down to 20,000 (natural gas) or 23,000 (propane).
• Blower included: with a fan control switch and variable speed control.
• Millivolt standing pilot: with an on/off switch; the burner runs without house power.
• Vent-free: no chimney or vent pipe, with an oxygen depletion sensor.
• Fireplace or framed wall: fits an existing wood-burning fireplace or a zero-clearance framed enclosure.
• Log set and liner required: an 18" ceramic fiber or refractory log set and the banded brick liner, ordered separately.
• Surround required: cast iron with its adaptor kit, a 3-sided or 4-sided steel surround, or a custom surround.

Package Contents

• Innsbrook VBPC28 vent-free gas fireplace insert
• Blower
• Barrier screen and glowing embers
• On/off switch and gas flex line

A log set, the liner and a surround are required and ordered separately (see below).

What to Order With It

The insert ships with its blower, barrier screen, glowing embers, on/off switch and gas flex line. A log set, the liner and a surround are ordered separately and are needed before it can run.

Required – Log set (choose one):

• Log Set, 18", Ceramic Fiber (LS18EF)
• Log Set, 18", Refractory (LS18CR)

Required – Liner:

• Liner, Banded Brick (VBP28SE)

Required – Surround (choose one; the cast iron surround needs the SAN adaptor kit):

• Cast Iron Surround, Black (SC336BL)
• Surround Adaptor Kit (needed with the cast iron surround) (SAN28)
• Steel Surround, 3-Sided, Black, 37" W x 24 1/2" H (DS28433BL)
• Steel Surround, 3-Sided, Black, 43" W x 27 1/2" H (DS28763BL)
• Steel Surround, 4-Sided, Black, 37" W x 25 7/8" H (DS28334BL)
• Custom Surround, 3-Sided, Black (CS3SIDED)
• Custom Surround, 4-Sided, Black (CS4SIDED)

Optional – Shroud (used with a surround to cover a larger fireplace opening):

• Shroud, Black, 48" W x 35 3/4" H with bottom panel (SH1BL)

Optional – Remotes and wall controls:

• Remote, Battery Receiver/Remote, On/Off (FRBC)
• Remote, Battery Receiver/Remote, Thermostat (FRBTC2)
• Remote, Electric Receiver/Battery Remote, On/Off (FREC)
• Remote, Battery Receiver/Remote, TouchScreen, Programmable (FRBTPS)
• Wall Switch, On/Off (FWS1)
• Wall Thermostat, Reed Switch (TMV)
• Wall Thermostat, Wireless (TRW)

Specifications

Installation Requirements

• Installation types: into an existing wood-burning masonry or factory-built fireplace with a minimum opening of 22 3/8" H x 30 1/2" front width x 19" rear width x 15" deep; or built into a framed wall (zero-clearance enclosure) with a rough opening of 30 1/2" W x 22 3/8" H x 15" D. Firebrick, glass doors, screen rails and grates may be removed to make room; a fireplace converted for the insert cannot go back to burning wood.
• Hearth and floor: no hearth extension is required, but only heat-resistant materials such as stone, metal or tile may be within 16" of the insert face; no vinyl, carpet or wood-based products. Keep the lower vent openings clear.
• Clearances: at least 8" from the inside edge of the firebox to a perpendicular combustible side wall.
• Mantel: a combustible mantel shelf must meet the mantel chart in the installation manual.
• Room size: the room must be an unconfined space of at least 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/hr of input (adjoining rooms count only if there is no door between them), or extra combustion air must be provided as the manual describes. Vent-free heaters are meant for supplemental heat. Check local codes before you buy; some areas restrict vent-free appliances.
• Bedrooms and bathrooms: an unvented heater over 10,000 Btu/hr may not go in a bedroom or bathroom, so this insert cannot. Massachusetts prohibits unvented gas heaters in bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Power: the burner needs no house power. The included blower needs a 120V, 60Hz, 1 A supply.
• Installation: must be installed by a qualified installer per the installation manual and local codes; Empire gas hearth products must be installed and serviced by NFI-certified gas specialists in the US. In Massachusetts the installation must be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter.

Make It Yours: Logs, Surround and Controls

The black steel surrounds come 3-sided, 37" x 24 1/2" or 43" x 27 1/2", or 4-sided, 37" x 25 7/8"; the black cast iron surround (SC336BL) needs the SAN28 adaptor kit, and custom 3-sided and 4-sided surrounds are available. The SH1BL shroud, 48" x 35 3/4" with a bottom panel, covers a larger fireplace opening.

Controls run from an on/off remote (FRBC) or wall switch (FWS1) to a thermostat remote (FRBTC2), a programmable touchscreen remote (FRBTPS) and wall thermostats (the TMV reed switch or the TRW wireless).

Bring the Innsbrook VBPC28 Home with Dreamwood Living

The Innsbrook VBPC28 suits a living room or family room with a wood-burning fireplace, or a wall with no chimney, as long as the room meets the size rule above.

Reach out to our team and we will help you pick the log set, the surround and the controls.

FAQs

Which Innsbrook is right for me?

The Innsbrook VBPC28 is the 28,000 Btu/hr vent-free model, with its blower included and the log set and liner ordered separately. Every Innsbrook is a traditional gas insert with a log fire for an existing wood-burning fireplace, and every one needs a surround. The direct-vent Innsbrook Small, Medium and Large (DVC20IN, DVC26IN and DVC28IN) vent up the chimney through two 3" flexible liners, come with a ceramic fiber log set and a blower, run up to 20,500, 26,000 or 28,500 Btu/hr and are approved for bedrooms. The vent-free Innsbrook inserts need no chimney or vent and can also be built into a framed wall: the VFPC20 (20,000 Btu/hr) comes with its log set, brick liner and blower, and the VBPC28 (28,000 Btu/hr) comes with its blower and takes a log set and liner ordered separately.

What do I need to order with it?

A log set (the 18" ceramic fiber LS18EF or the refractory LS18CR), the banded brick liner (VBP28SE) and a surround. The blower, barrier screen, glowing embers, on/off switch and gas flex line come with it.

Will it fit my fireplace?

It needs a wood-burning masonry or factory-built fireplace with an opening of at least 22 3/8" high, 30 1/2" wide at the front, 19" at the rear and 15" deep, or a framed wall with a 30 1/2" x 22 3/8" x 15" rough opening. Firebrick, glass doors, screen rails and grates may be removed to make room, and a fireplace converted for the insert cannot go back to burning wood.

Can it go in a bedroom?

No. An unvented heater over 10,000 Btu/hr may not go in a bedroom or bathroom. For a bedroom, look at a direct-vent Innsbrook, which is approved for bedrooms. Massachusetts prohibits unvented gas heaters in bedrooms and bathrooms.

How big a room does it need?

An unconfined space of at least 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/hr of input: 1,400 cubic feet at 28,000 Btu/hr. Adjoining rooms count only if there is no door between them; otherwise extra combustion air must be provided as the manual describes. Check local codes before you buy, since some areas restrict vent-free appliances; our direct vent vs. vent-free guide covers where vent-free isn't allowed.

Does it need electricity?

The burner needs no house power; the blower needs a 120V, 60Hz, 1 A supply.

Can I switch it between natural gas and propane?

No. Order the model for your gas; field conversion is not permitted.

Documents & Downloads

• Installation Instructions and Owner's Manual, Innsbrook VBPC28IN (45124)

Warranty

Empire limited warranty, from the warranty section of the installation manual:

• Combustion chamber and heat exchanger: limited lifetime parts, with 5 years of limited labor
• All other components, except remote controls, thermostats, lights, accessories and replacement parts: 5 years parts and labor
• Remote controls, thermostats, lights, accessories and replacement parts: 1 year parts

The warranty applies to the original purchaser. Full terms, including what is not covered, are in the warranty section of the installation manual.