Unlike unit heaters with the clamshell style heat exchanger, positioned above ribbon-style burners, Empire DV-20E, DV-40E, and DV-55E heat exchangers do not have stress points where manufacturing processes have weakened the metal by stamping, crimping and welding. These gas heaters are equipped with a tubular heat exchanger which consists of smooth, continuous tubes are formed in a serpentine shape and then placed in parallel rows. This type of heat exchanger has no stress points, no points where the metal has been compromised making it more durable than a similar clamshell heat exchanger and allowing the unit to be equipped with in-shot burners.

Advanced Burner Design Empire DVE's burner design is more akin to that of a fire-tube boiler than a unit heater. With these in-shot burners, the flame is retained inside the heat exchanger and fires down the inside of the heat exchanger tube. This design accomplishes three things: First, it eliminates the need for separate conventional ribbon-style burners; Second, it enhances flame quality and heat transfer; and Third, it eliminates most burner corrosion problems. Conventional burners fail when moisture from condensation drips on them. This problem is eliminated with the Empire in-shot burner system.