What is a Heatilator Fireplace?
Used in both new construction and remodels, Heatilator is often considered the “builder grade” standard, making it a familiar fireplace brand. Their reliability and high performance make Heatilator gas fireplaces some of the best-value fireplaces on the market. Heatilator might not have the bells and whistles of brands like Heat & Glo; however, it offers a price point and quality that meet the needs of many homeowners. Wondering, do I have a Heatilator? If you need help determining the make or model of your fireplace please check out our post here.
What Makes a Heatilator Fireplace Unique?
Heatilator is a long standing brand that also happens to be a style of fireplace, a Heatilator Heat Form. (Scroll down to learn more about the Heat Form – It is easy to get the two confused.)
A Heatilator fireplace is a brand of prefabricated, factory-built fireplace manufactured by Hearth & Home Technologies (HHT). Heatilator units are known for affordability and reliability, offering wood-burning and gas options. These fireplaces are typically designed with metal construction and feature zero-clearance framing capabilities, allowing installation with minimal spacing to combustibles per tested clearances.
What Fireplace Models are Offered by Heatliator?
Heatilator offers several models, including traditional open wood-burning fireplaces and high-efficiency, sealed combustion gas units. Many models feature direct vent technology, clean-faced designs, and optional heat management systems. Heatilator offers a variety of styles from corner fireplaces to see-through linear gas fireplaces and even multi-sided wood fireplaces! Some of their most popular models include
What is a Heatilator Heat Form?
A Heatilator Heat Form is a prefabricated, metal firebox designed to be built into masonry veneer—essentially a “zero-clearance” metal insert that mimics the structure and look of a full masonry fireplace. It’s the quintessential builder-grade open fireplace—ubiquitous, affordable, and easily framed in.
The Heat Form is a type of factory-built, site-installed fireplace developed by Heatilator in the mid-to-late 20th century. Unlike today’s pre-finished zero-clearance models, Heat Form units are modular fireboxes made of interlocking refractory panels assembled on-site and encased in masonry. They look like traditional masonry fireplaces but are not constructed brick-by-brick on-site. These fireplaces are sometimes mistaken for true masonry because of their finished appearance and chimney materials.
Is it a Heat Form or Masonry Fireplace?
To Identify a Heatilator Heat Form:
- Check the firebox: tap the walls- if they sound hollow or feel smooth and uniform, they may be precast panels
- Look for seams: Heat Form units have visible seams between panels
- Examine the chimney: a metal pipe chimney (often with a branded cap) is a giveaway. Masonry chimneys tend to be clay-lined brick
