When it comes to choosing the best heating systems and heat units for your home, your choices may appear to be endless. This is primarily because today’s heating manufacturers are producing heating systems and heating units to meet a wide range of customer needs and preferences.
From designing multi-fuel stoves that serve numerous purposes to making electric fireplaces that’s easy to install and maintain, buying the best type for your home can be an exhaustingly long experience. On the other hand, if you are looking for some of the most popular heaters like the pellet stove, you can find the information that you need online.
With this in mind, it is essential that every homeowner learns everything that they can about each type of pellet stove and the required installation process. Specifically, as it relates to understanding the specific chimney requirements for these heating devices.
So, to get started, here are some key things that all homeowners should know before making an investment in pellet stoves.
- Types of pellet stove Installations and Chimney Requirements
- Pellet Stove’s Chimney Requirements and Manufacturer’s instructions
- Local building codes for Pellet Stoves
- Certification for Installations
- Information About the Pellet’s Stove Installation
- Consult with a Professional or Certified Installer
Things You Need to Consider Before You Choose and Install Your Pellet Stove
Before deciding whether you should buy a pellet stove, check the cost of installation. A pellet stove is rated for use in the United States between $3000 and $600. The greater the price, the nicer and bigger the stove. This includes nothing but the installation cost for this product. You may require installation of ventilation valves or retrofitting the vent pipes into the chimney so you can use your pellet stove correctly. Installation costs can be anywhere from $750 to $1,000 and a pellet stove will cost anywhere from $500 to $1200.
Types of pellet stove Installation and Masonry Chimney Requirements
In this section, we will discuss the different types of pellet stoves that’s currently on the market today. These heating units are distinct in design, functionality and size. Some of the most commonly known types in this industry are listed below. Some installations may also utilize an existing masonry chimney for venting purposes.
1. Freestanding Pellet Stoves
The freestanding pellet stove can be described as the units that standalone. Therefore, the homeowner or a family member can place them anywhere in a room. These units do not require an existing chimney since they are designed with their own venting system. Their popularity has also risen over time, specifically for the following reasons:
- Easy to move from one place to another.
- Flexibility in choosing the location of preference.
2. Pellet Stove Inserts
Unlike the freestanding pellet stove, the pellet stove insert is not as flexible in placement. Because these units have been designed to fit into an existing fireplace or a pellet stove ventilation can opening, they are not as flexible in mobility as the freestanding pellet stove. These units often require specific pellet stove flues to ensure proper ventilation and safety. However, they are considered to be a suitable option and preference for homes that already have chimneys for venting.
Therefore, there are specific chimney requirements that you should always follow in detail. For example, if you are buying and installing a pellet stove or insert, you must have a chimney that you can insert the unit into with ease.
3. Pellet furnaces and boilers
In addition to the fancy decorative stoves, you will also find that there are many natural gas pellet boilers and furnaces that you can make selections from, too. With only a few minor changes to the plumbing or the ductwork, these units are designed to be retrofitted to your home’s existing heating systems.
4. Eco-friendly Pellet Stoves
Eco-friendly pellet stoves can be described as heating devices that use biomass fuel. The type of fuel that these stoves use are composed of leftover wood burning residue of sawdust. Manufacturers have also designed these stoves to serve multiple purposes, including lowering CO2 emissions in order to be environmentally friendly.
5. Biomass stoves
The biomass stoves have been designed to burn other kinds of wood pellets for its fuel. For instance, if you choose to do so, you can put pellets in this heating unit to burn sunflower seeds, wheat, corn, and cherry pits. The choice is up to you; however, a lot of manufacturers usually recommend burning corn or a mixture of pellets.
Pellet Stoves Chimney Requirements and Manufacturer’s instructions
As noted above, there is more than one type of pellet stove on the market. And there is more than one manufacturer that supplies each of these individual models and designs. Therefore, the chimney requirements that homeowners need to know can vary greatly. too.
With this in mind, the instructions that wood burning stove manufacturers provide are crucial to properly installing the unit that homeowners choose. This is especially true when a homeowner is complying with the chimney requirements for any pellet stove today.
Here is also a brief overview of what to expect.
To make sure that the chimney requirements are completely comprehensive in fulfilling certain requirements, the manufacturer’s instructions should cover specific guidelines and recommendations for their device’s installation, including the venting of air intake the pellet stove.
For installations that require additional insulation, a twin wall flue system may be recommended to prevent overheating and ensure safety.
These instructions are based on several different factors such as the design of the pellet stove and the specific model. For example, the pellet stove must be installed in the right location, while also ensuring it operates safely. This information is not only based on the model of the pellet stove, but also on the size of the chimney in the home.
The size of the chimney is also a big part of the installation process. For example, the installer must take into account the clearance diameter. Typically, this usually involves the difference in space allowed between materials that are combustible. This information will also address the venting options that should be used (i.e. venting instructions for exterior walls).
Local building codes for Pellet Stoves
In addition to following that particular pellet stove manufacturer’s instructions, it is important that the local building codes are also met.
Local codes may also specify the positioning of air inlet pipes to ensure proper ventilation and safety.
Since the local building codes and regulations may differ from one locality and jurisdiction to another, these units should not be installed without adhering to the right codes building regulations. For example, the job of the fire code inspectors and building permit offices are looking for the following requirements.
To prevent potential fire hazards, some of the local codes require a hearth pad or hearth to be installed properly underneath them. Therefore, hearth regulations will not only specify the thickness of exterior wall and the size but also the extension regulations. Even though the manufacturer may provide instructions for their products, the local building codes must also be factored in during an installation.
Vent Pipe Requirements
To safely remove combustion and waste out of exhaust vent the air, the installer of these heating units must know how to follow the proper ventilation requirements.
For assistance with venting requirements, you can consult your pellet stove dealer for professional advice and services.
And it is a critical part of the entire installation process. For example, the installation must include specifics about the venting materials used, the distance from the windows to other structures in the room, and the height in which the vent pipe termination should be positioned. These requirements can be found in both the manufacturer’s instructions and the local building codes.
Certification for Installations
It is important to note that there are reliable installation codes available. One of the most notable is the CSA B365 Installation Code. This code is used for Solid-Fuel-Burning Appliances and the equipment that is related to it.
Also, to make sure that everyone involved is safe, test these installations in advance. These certifications are not only intended to support people who are reliable in testing out the safety standards but also to set the standards for property billing codes and regulations.
Information About the Pellet Stove’s installation
As referenced above, there is more than one type of pellet stove on the market. Therefore, the chimney requirements for installation can be vastly different from one manufacturer’s model and brands to another. This means you need to be aware of the types of installation procedures that apply to the pellet stove of your choice.
Once you have your pellet stove installed, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and operation.
Here is an example of the steps required to install a pellet stove insert in your chimney.
- Clean your fireplace thoroughly.
- Measure the size of your chimney to determine the exact size of the pellet stove insert that you will need to buy.
- Unless the unit is operated by battery, you will need to install the appropriate electric circuit to accommodate the unit.
- Place the Chimney liner on the inside of your chimney and then slide the pellet stove inside.
- Connect the stove to its electric circuit and then install decorative trim pieces and the seal.
The instalment steps listed above will differ from many standalone pellet stove units, especially these stoves will not require a chimney for installation.
Consult with a Professional or Certified Installer
To make sure that you have gathered all of the appropriate information that’s needed, you should also consult with a professional contractor or certified installer for reliable information..
These are specialists that know how to provide the exact requirements for each device. From providing local codes for your particular municipality to helping to decide which installation process is the best, their main job is to ensure you know exactly what is needed for a successful and safe installation.
Final Thoughts
Do pellet stoves need a chimney? The answer to this question usually varies based on several different key factors. Since there are different models, types, manufacturers and local codes that must be considered, you will need to do a thorough job of researching this information before you make an investment.
Pellet stove ranges can vary significantly in price, typically between $3,000 and $6,000, depending on the type and size.
Fortunately, there is a vast wealth of information available online today about pellet stoves and the associated chimney requirements. You can use this information to determine which information applies to your particular circumstances, and situation.
The information that you collect can help you to identify which type of unit is best for your home and preferences. Whether it is a standalone pellet stove that can easily be moved from one room to another. Or a pellet stove insert that must be placed into your chimney. You will need to know the chimney requirements before you make your investment.