New Heatilator Fireplace Provides Attractive Home Heating Help

Enhanced Caliber NXT gas fireplace gives homeowners greater heating efficiency and control

3/9/2006 (Minneapolis) Battling high home heating costs is not a problem likely to go away anytime soon for many homeowners. Fortunately, homeowners can find an affordable and attractive supplemental heat source in the new Caliber™ NXT direct vent gas fireplace from Heatilator®. Featuring an A.F.U.E. (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, the enhanced Caliber NXT boasts greater than 70 percent heating efficiency—higher than any other direct vent gas fireplace in its category. It’s an ideal solution for homeowners looking for an appealing supplemental heat source.

Other enhancements include a broader viewing area, a highly-detailed log set and a new traditional or herringbone brick refractory that mimics the color and texture of traditional brick, as well as provides additional depth and a back drop for the flame to reflect off. In addition, the Caliber NXT employs a patented Intellifire™ intermittent pilot ignition (IPI) system. This electric ignition system eliminates the need to keep the pilot light always lit to use the fireplace. Intellifire automatically turns on the pilot when the homeowner turns on the Caliber NXT, reducing as much as half the gas used by the fireplace.

“Many homeowners mistakenly think efficient home heating requires sacrificing the ambiance of a fireplace,” says Kathy Repp, Heatilator brand manager. “The new Caliber NXT provides an affordable way for homeowners to enjoy a beautiful gas fireplace in a manner that can also lower their heating bill.”

The Caliber NXT comes with a fan for greater heat dispersion and a standard control system for operation. It is a 26,500-45,000 BTU/ hour input gas fireplace and is available in 36” and 42” sizes with multiple fronts in a choice of black, pewter or brushed nickel finishes to fit the décor of the home. A heat zone and heat duct option are also available for distributing heat to other parts of the home through the home’s furnace duct system.

The price range for the new model is between $2,399 and $2,749. For more information on the Caliber NXT, visit www.heatilator.com or call 1-800-927-6841.

Heatilator is a brand of Hearth & Home Technologies Inc., the world’s largest fireplace manufacturer and a leading provider of hearth products and services for the home. Heatilator embraces the traditional role of a fireplace with straightforward and dependable hearth products that make providing security and comfort an affordable reality. The Hearth & Home Technologies Inc. family also includes Heat & Glo™ and Quadra-Fire® brand hearth products and Fireside Hearth & Home® brand hearth retail stores. Hearth & Home Technologies is a subsidiary of HNI Corporation (NYSE: HNI), the second largest office furniture manufacturer in the United States.