Please post some pictures along with the make and model of the fireplace so we can provide some input.

See attached for a picture of the unfinished framing and a picture of the finished wall (I took the framing picture during construction, but didn't realize the issue with the header hight until I went to hang the TV). The fireplace is a KozyHeat Calloway 40. The distance from the floor to the bottom of the header is 62", which is the 60" required clearance plus the 2" pad on which the fireplace is seated. The specs state that with the cool wall system the clearance is 47" from floor to header. For reference on the finished wall picture, the bottom of the electrical cover is at 66.5" off the floor. The furniture in the room consists of two sofas, so I need the TV mounted at a level appropriate for watching from a seated position. Thanks for the advice.

After reading the installation manual, it is clear that if you want a TV above the fireplace, you should have used the instructions below (3.7.4.1 Wall Enclosure Rough opening with TV Recess Construction). So it is not just a matter of where the header is located, but the recess for the TV was not built either.

I assume you had an in depth discussion with the fireplace retailer about the fact that you wanted a TV above the fireplace and they likely suggested the model you ended up purchasing with the vented cavity installation kit. But did they also tell you about the need for the TV recess construction? Was that information relayed to the contractor?

A responsible and knowledgeable retailer would have shown you this part of the instruction manual and been very clear that you need to make sure your contractor frames the wall based on the 3.7.4.1 instruction.

So it really depends on what conversations you had with the retailer and the contractor.

I don't think the recess is necessary for mounting a TV with this fireplace and venting. The instruction manual says that temperatures did not exceed 150 F when either the venting kit or the recess were used. I also just spoke with the retailer, and they have advised that the recessed area for the TV is not necessary, and that the TV can be placed up to the finished edge of the fireplace.

In terms of conversations, we did have a conversation with the retailer about wanting to put a TV there and that the cool wall system would allow us to do that. The retailer sent me the instruction manuals, which I forwarded to the contractor, and the contractor and retailer talked. It's disappointing the retailer didn't catch the issue with the framing when they came out to inspect it on a day prior to their installing the fireplace. Or that they didn't say something when they did the installation. I'm just not sure what to do now. Do I just suck it up and deal with it? It doesn't seem reasonable to expect someone to tear down the drywall and re-frame. I've ordered a couple wall mounts that might allow me to get the TV into a somewhat reasonable position. If one of those works out, I'll call it a day.

Read 3.7.4.1 again. It says the tests were performed "when a 4-1/4" recess is constructed...when installed with the KZK kit or vented cavity option". It says nothing about with or without the recess. So your retailer is telling you something contrary to what the installation manual says here.

I suggest you do NOT install a TV directly above the fireplace opening without turning on this fireplace and doing some testing. I suspect you are going to get temperatures well above 150 degrees right above the opening and easily within 6" to 8".