The Illume DVCP from Montigo
You already have the fireplace — it just takes wood, and most of the heat goes up the chimney. The Illume DVCP (SKU DVCP34BN91N) is a direct-vent gas insert for listed wood-burning fireplaces — masonry or factory-built — with a minimum opening of 34 1/2" W x 24 1/2" H x 18 1/2" D and an 8" existing flue. Input adjusts from 21,000 to 32,000 BTU on natural gas behind a 28 1/4" x 18 15/16" ceramic glass viewing area. From $4,099, built by Empire Comfort Systems, with Empire's residential warranty.
Choose it if your fireplace cavity is deep (18 1/2" or more, less surround depth), your flue is at least 8" in diameter with 10 to 40 feet of vertical rise available, and you want adjustable heat — it turns down to 21,000 BTU for long, low burns. It is also the pick if the fireplace is in a bedroom or a manufactured home: the DVCP is the only Illume insert approved for both. It is certified to ANSI Z21.88 / CSA 2.33 (UL file MH30033).
It is not right if you have no existing wood-burning fireplace to put it in, if your cavity is shallower than 18 1/2" or your flue is under 8", if your chimney cannot deliver 10 feet of vertical rise or already serves another appliance (sharing is prohibited), or if you need a horizontal vent termination — this unit vents vertically only. For shallower cavities, look at the 30FID (30" x 20" x 14" minimum) or 34FID (34" x 24" x 15" minimum) instead.
Specifications
The insert front measures 33 15/16" W x 23 1/16" H, with a 17 7/16" body depth. Fuel is natural gas (3.5" WC manifold, 4.5–14" WC supply); propane conversion is allowed only with certified kit 46500 / 46501. Ignition is SIT Proflame 2 intermittent pilot with battery backup. Electrical service is 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 1 A on the supplied grounded cord. Side walls need 8" of clearance from the side of the opening; the original hearth must be retained, non-combustible and at least 16" deep in front, and zero clearance below the insert is allowable. In the USA above 2,000 ft the unit may need a smaller orifice (derate roughly 4% per 1,000 ft — confirm with the manufacturer); in Canada it is rated 0–4,500 ft. Massachusetts requires a licensed plumber or gas fitter and a flex connector no longer than 3 ft. The barrier screen must be installed, and the unit must never run without the glass door in place.
DVCP vs the 30FID and 34FID inserts
The DVCP ($4,099 base) is the deepest Illume insert and the only one approved for bedrooms and manufactured homes, with input adjustable from 21,000 to 32,000 BTU and a vertical-only 3"/4" co-linear liner system. If your cavity is shallower, the 34FID fits 34" x 24" x 15" openings at up to 31,000 BTU (Traditional $4,029, Contemporary $4,769) and the 30FID fits 30" x 20" x 14" openings at up to 24,000 BTU (Traditional $3,599, Contemporary $4,249). The FID models pick their look by Traditional or Contemporary trim; the DVCP handles trim through the interior panel (Fire-Cracked Brown, Fire-Cracked Gray, Black Glass) and log set (LS34BIN, LS34MTIN) variants on this page.
Answers to common questions
Does it use my existing chimney, and what venting do I need?
Yes. The DVCP vents co-linearly through the fireplace's own chimney: a 3" flexible intake liner and a 4" flexible exhaust liner, aluminum or stainless — no other vent systems or components may be used, and the chimney cannot be shared with any other appliance. Termination is vertical only (it cannot terminate horizontally), with 10 to 40 feet of rise, a minimum 8" existing flue diameter, and 12"–36" of termination height above the roof depending on pitch. Documented kits: the SD46DVACL34 vertical vent kit with high-wind cap and flashing, SD3DFA35 / SD4DFA35 flex liners, and DVIC3 / DVIC4 connector kits. The liner set is required and sold separately.
What’s included, what’s required, and what’s optional?
-
Included in the box: the insert, the glass door assembly, the barrier screen assembly, rockwool embers, the SIT Proflame 2 remote, batteries, four levelling bolts, a latch tool, a shut-off tool, and two amber glass pieces.
-
Required to complete the installation, purchased separately: a surround (Montigo’s own only — DS34401BL, DS34441BL, or the flush DS34400BL / DS34440BL), the Interior Panel liner set, and the Log Set.
-
Optional: alternate media and the wall remote.
Can it go in a bedroom or a manufactured home?
Yes — this is the only Illume insert with both approvals. It is approved for installation in a bedroom or bed-sitting room in the USA and Canada, and into a listed wood-burning fireplace in an aftermarket, permanently located manufactured home (USA only) or mobile home where local codes do not prohibit it.
Will it work during a power outage?
Yes. The SIT Proflame 2 ignition system has battery backup (4 AA control-side and 3 AAA remote batteries are included), so the fireplace can light and run without household power. Normal electrical service is 120 VAC, 60 Hz, 1 A via the supplied grounded cord.
What mantel clearance does it need?
A combustible mantel must sit above the surround, with required clearance scaling from 12" above the opening at 1 3/4" of projection up to 21" above at the maximum 12" projection. Masonry mantels need 12" above the opening for projections over 1 1/2" (6" under 1 1/2") per NFPA 211. The area above the insert gets hot, so run anything you plan to mount on the wall above past your installer first.
Can I run it on propane?
This page sells the natural gas model (DVCP34BN91N), which runs 21,000–32,000 BTU. The appliance may only be converted with a certified conversion kit (46500 / 46501); on propane the rating is 24,500–31,000 BTU. Contact us before ordering if you need propane.
What happens with the warranty if I buy online?
The Torch Guys is 1 of only 3 authorized Montigo e-commerce dealers in the United States, and we file warranty claims on your behalf. The DVCP is built by Empire Comfort Systems and carries Empire's residential warranty; claims require dealer purchase and installation plus annual documented service, so keep your service records. Call (410) 324-6322 if you want us to walk the paperwork with you.
