If you want to install a pellet stove in your home, you must know how to do it correctly. The stove needs ventilation from outside and electrical power for its thermostat and blower to run efficiently.
For optimal efficiency, place your stove in a central living area of your home. This way, the warmth from the flames can be distributed throughout all rooms.
Table of Contents
1. Make a Hole in the Wall
When installing pellet stove pipe, it is essential to adhere strictly to the manufacturer’s instructions. Doing so can prevent damage to your home and guarantee proper operation of your pellet stove.
First, decide where in your house you want to install your pellet stove. Make sure the location meets local codes and provides adequate ventilation.
Idealy, the vent run should be situated to avoid ceiling joist and roof rafter framing members. This task may prove challenging and best left to an experienced professional.
The next step in installing pipe is deciding what kind of pipe is necessary. Depending on the clearances required, single-wall or double-wall pipe may be appropriate.
When installing a single-wall stovepipe, ensure there is at least 18 inches of clearance between it and the ceiling. Double-walled pipes may work better if you require closer clearances against walls.
Some single-wall systems offer telescoping sections that extend to cover oddly spaced distances between your stove and ceiling, so if space is limited you can opt for a double-walled stovepipe.
Be mindful that these telescoping pipes are not as long as a double-wall stovepipe and thus need plenty of room for installation.
Once you know which type of stove pipe you require for your installation, it is time to confirm if it fits inside your chimney system. Some chimneys have tighter openings than others and if the pipe doesn’t fit properly, you could risk burning down or damaging it.
Finally, ensure you select an appropriately sized thimble. Doing so will help keep the thimble secure in place and prevent it from coming loose and falling out of the chimney.
Pellet stoves can be heavy, so hiring a professional to install and vent them properly is much less expensive than trying to do the job yourself.
Under your stove, install a noncombustible hearth pad to protect your house from sparks and embers. This pad should extend six inches in front of the stove as well as along its sides, and be code-approved.
2. Thread the Liner Across the Chimney
The chimney liner is an essential element of your pellet stove installation, as it creates a seal between the stove and chimney that prevents smoke from entering your home. Furthermore, this allows for thorough cleaning from within out.
Chimney liners come in various lengths and thicknesses, but for optimal effectiveness it is recommended that you get a full-length one. Liners that extend only part way up the chimney will not effectively keep out smoke and can be difficult to clean effectively.
When purchasing a pellet stove pipe kit, it’s essential to take into account the length of your chimney. You may require more liner than expected since installing a pellet stove takes some time.
When threading the chimney liner across, make sure it extends above the roofline in accordance with local ordinances. Doing this will protect the chimney if not properly insulated and make smoke removal much simpler if required.
Once the chimney liner has been extended above your roofline, you must secure it with a top plate. This will keep the liner from collapsing and enable you to connect it to the exhaust port on your pellet stove.
Before installing the liner, have your chimney inspected for safety and creosote deposits. Hire a licensed professional to do this so any future issues can be easily remedied.
Furthermore, make sure you secure the necessary permits for installation of your pellet stove. Doing so will guarantee that no laws are broken and that the stove is set up correctly.
Without proper maintenance, you could face a chimney fire that could prove disastrous. That is why it is so essential to have your chimney inspected and cleaned before installing a stove vent.
Once your chimney has been inspected, it’s time to install the pellet stove pipe. Be sure to follow the instructions in your chimney liner kit carefully for a secure and straightforward method of venting your pellet stove properly.
3. Attach the Liner to the Stove
Installing a pellet stove in your home is an excellent way to boost its energy efficiency and lower utility bills. However, you’ll also need the necessary piping and exhaust system. The most affordable and practical option for doing so is by installing a flue liner, also known as a chimney cap.
Chimney caps funnel the smoke and fumes from your fireplace or wood stove into a roof vent, not only capturing and transporting the smoke from your heating source but also helping prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.
To successfully complete your task, you will require several basic tools. Most notably, you’ll need a stud finder to locate those pesky studs in your wall. With this handy device, you can ensure the integrity of all surfaces being worked on.
Next, you will need a power drill and cordless power tool.
Starting can seem like an intimidating endeavor, but the end results will be worth all the effort. Most of these tasks can be completed independently or with help from your handyman friend; the biggest challenge will be making the most of available space to do this job. Selecting an appropriate flue liner size and properly installing it are key components in achieving success here.
4. Install the Liner Cap
When installing pellet stove pipe, it is necessary to attach a liner cap that covers the end of the chimney vent. This helps prevent debris from leaking down into your chimney and makes the pipe safer to use by protecting your family against chimney fires.
Pellet stoves are an efficient and cost-effective way to heat your home while saving on energy bills. Not only are they user friendly with various temperature control settings available, but they can be hazardous if not installed correctly.
To begin installing pellet stove pipe, make a hole in your wall where it will go. Make sure the stove can be turned on and off easily without any hassles.
Once your stove is in its hole, thread the stove pipe across the chimney. You can either use a tee or elbow to secure it to the chimney. After attaching, lower the pipe down until you reach its thimble on either end.
Another option for installing a pellet stove is to utilize an existing chimney. Although not as popular, this method of installation can be suitable for some homes and is usually cheaper and simpler than creating a new chimney.
This type of installation requires an appliance adapter, tees and elbows, lengths of pipe, some flexible venting, and a horizontal thimble. This low-cost option for pellet stove venting can be ideal for many homes due to its simplicity.
Type B-Vent provides a straight line route, while Type L venting gives you more creative freedom in where to place the vent termination. This type of pellet stove vent can be run vertically through a ceiling or roof, or completely horizontally to an outside wall.