National Fireplace Institute®
Respected certification program for hearth professionals across the U.S.
Planning and installing fireplaces, stoves and their venting systems requires experience, technical knowledge and skill. Numerous decisions -- from proper floor protection to appliance sizing and placement to venting system compatibility and height-should all be made with the expertise of a specialist.
One of the ways to identify a competent specialist is to check their credentials. The HEARTH Education Foundation, a group dedicated to promoting the safety and understanding of hearth fireplace products, formed the National Fireplace Institute® (NFI) as the industry’s national certification agency. The program was designed for those selling and installing gas, pellet, and woodburning products. Its objective is to increase public safety by establishing meaningful credentials for professionals involved in planning and installing residential hearth appliances and venting systems.
There are three NFI certifications, each valid for three years: Gas includes all gas hearth appliances and venting systems. Woodburning includes both factory-built fireplaces and the various configurations of wood stoves. And, Pellet consists of all pellet stoves and fireplace inserts, as well as venting systems. Anyone wishing to receive certification must pass a rigorous certification exam.
Customers looking to buy from or contract professionals who are NFI-certified can visit www.nficertified.org and peruse their listing of certified specialists. While NFI Certification in itself is not a license or a guarantee of competence, it is an excellent indication of professional commitment and training. Let an NFI Certified Specialist plan and install your fireplace or stove, along with its venting system, with proper attention to safety and performance.
Desa is a proud supporter of NFI certification. We endorse the use of NFI certified installers with all of our heating products. In addition, our on-staff technical service advisors are NFI certified.