How To Properly Clean A Pellet Stove

Price of heating fuels are expected to go up gradually, and if you are concern about spiking fuel cost during winter, then you are not alone. Many are looking for an alternative heating fuel source that will cut the cost to a limited extent.

The best alternative to heating oil, which will pay for itself within months, and save you loads of money in the future, is getting a wood Pellet stove.

Before going to purchase a pellet stove, you must have a basic idea about pellet stove. And what is there to know when it comes to a Pellet stove?

Well. People always asked "How much will it cost you? How do you install a Pellet stove?"

If you already purchased one but need to learn how to install a pellet stove without hiring a professional? What additional accessories do I need for this task?

In this article, our experts will teach how you can install a pellet stove without hiring professionals.

How Much Will It Cost Me?

Before we discuss the installation procedure of a pellet stove, you must have a clear idea about the cost. You have to learn which may cost you more. There are a few factors that will affect your costs. We have listed the most common factors below:

Where are you going to install it? Placing is very important. Proper placing will reduce the installation cost. You have to pick a suitable spot where you can install a vent pipe easily. Otherwise, it will cost more since you need a more complicated venting system.
Do you have an existing fireplace? If yes, then you are very lucky. You can go for a pellet stove insert and they are usually less costly than a pellet stove.
What is the size and type of Pellet stove you are planning to buy?
Are you hiring a professional to install a Pellet stove? If your answer is no, then you have to think about the tools and equipment needed to install a pellet stove properly.
Are you willing to heat the whole apartment with a pellet stove? If yes, then you have to buy a quality wood stove fan which may cost an extra 30-40$.

How Much A Pellet Stove Costs

Depending on the heating capacity and hopper capacity the price of a Pellet stove may vary from Minimum $1000-$4000. Multi-fuel stoves will cost anywhere from $1,500-$3,000.
A freestanding Pellet stove, where a hearth pad is required, can cost anywhere from $250-$500.
Hiring an HVAC professional could cost you about $250 to install. The more complex your ventilation will be, could cause your costs to go up as much as $1,500.

Best Place To Install Your Pellet Stove

So you've finally bought yourself a Pellet stove, and are eager to put it in and start saving money on heating costs. The biggest question you have now is, where do I put this thing? This is a great question, and like most stove units, the location is crucial as far as efficiency and safety are concerned. We will look at a variety of locations you can install a Pellet stove, and then you can decide for yourself where to put your Pellet stove.

1. Next to An Exterior Wall

The first thing you should research online that pellet stoves are allowed in your area or not. Because burning woods are restricted in the residential area. The last thing you want is a fine or any legal trouble because you have violated the law of conduct in your state or region.

Come back to the main point where to place it.

You should also look at the manual of the Pellet stove, a manual will usually advise a homeowner where an ideal location for installation.

Placing a pellet stove next to an exterior wall is always ideal because this kind of setting will reduce ventilation costs. Typically, a Pellet stove is installed approximately 1-2 inches from a wall, so the vent can travel out the back of the stove and through a rear wall. Also, placing your stove next to a rear wall helps to hide the vent pipe and make your home elegant.

2. Next to Your Stairway

Another good place to install a Pellet stove is next to your stairway. Why? Effective heating is done by rising. Most homes are heated when the source elevates to the upstairs. When you are heating the whole home, you will need to have a floor plan that is open and without any blockage of the heat flow. The stove will need a blower feature, and you will need to have a way for the heat to travel such as a ducted warm-air heating system.

3. Inside Your Insulated Basement

If the basement is insulated, installing a Pellet stove there is a great option. Much like the stairways, the idea of this is, the elevated will distribute easier because it is naturally elevating. This will also allow you to be warm when you are doing laundry or working on a project that requires you to be in the basement.

Again, having the essential parts to go with it, like a ducted warm-air heating system, and a blower on the Pellet stove will determine how effective the heat will dispel in your house.

Where Not To Install A Pellet Stove?

Ideally, the worst spot to place your Pellet or any type of heating stove, for that matter, is in your bedroom. Because the sound of burning wood pellets inside the stove may disturb you while relaxing. Furthermore, it will be become very hard to distribute the heatwave produced by the stove around your whole apartment from your bedroom since it will not the center spot of your house.

Don't ever place it inside your bathroom. Only mad people will do these kinds of shitty things. Moreover, your insurance company most likely will not pay a cent if your home was to burn down because you violated their policy.

Required Tools and Equipment

To install your Pellet stove there will be a few required tools or equipment involved. If you are installing a pipe for the Pellet stove, you will need:

A step ladder,
stud finder,
jigsaw,
utility knife,
cordless drill,
a drill bit,
grinder with a diamond blade,
and construction adhesive.

If you don't have the above tools we have mentioned, you have to buy it. The total expected cost of the above tools will be anywhere from $75-$300.

You may also need a moving cart to help move the bulky and heavy Pellet stove. Those can range from $75-$150.

Instructions You Have To Follow While Installing Pellet Stove

Okay, so you've got a quality pellet stove, got all the necessary tools, and picked the perfect spot. If you aren't installing it using a professional here is what you will do.

Pellet stove is very heavy to move. So, if you like to install it for yourself then you should have 2-3 helping hands. Otherwise, it is impossible to install by yourself. It is a good practice to put a code-approved and non-combustive heating pad for your pellet stove to be placed on. It will protect your house from accidental fire or spark. The pad will extend, or should, approximately six inches in front of the stove and five to six inches on each side.

Next, look at the user manual of your purchased model pellet stove to see what is the diameter of your venting pipe would be. The ideal diameter for a venting pipe is usually 10 inches. If your pellet stove also needs a hole of 10 inches, cut according to it.

Using a stud finder, make sure your vent will be able to permeate through without obstruction. Using a knife, cut in the interior wall first, and then use a jigsaw to cut the outside siding.

Then, you install a vent thimble, this is a sleeve in which the vent will move into the hole you just made. Next, you connect the pipe recommended by the manufacturer for the stove and run it through the thimble and to the outside.

The outside will require you to install a vent pipe clean-out of your pellet ashes. Install the elbow so your vent can run vertically above the eaves. Secure the vent using a strap against the eave and place a rain cap on it.

You are ready, plug your unit into a 120-volt receptacle.

How to Install the Vent Pipe (In Details)

Start by working from the inside of the wall. You will fit the shorter, horizontal section of the pipe through the wall until the inner end is roughly two-three inches from the wall's face. You should apply adhesive next, make sure it's construction adhesive, on a flat portion of the inside collar that will fit on the wall.

Slide the collar onto the pipe and against the wall.

Next, you will need to fit the lower end of the vertical section onto a flange from the top of the stove. Then, attach the opening end of the elbow to the inner end of the vent pipe by snapping the connection together.

You will also need to install a screw-tip attachment in the drill. Attach the lower end of the vertical pipe to the flange with the three screws. Drive one from the front edge of the pipe and another at both sides.

We are ready to move to the outside wall. You will need that construction adhesive again, and you will need to place it on the flat portion of the collar that fits on the face of the wall. Simply slide the collar onto the end of the horizontal pipe. Fit it firmly and snug against the wall.

Attach the horizontal round cap onto the end of the pipe by snapping the connection together.

This is how you will install the vent pipe for the Pellet stove.

How To Install A Pellet Stove In Video

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Setting up the Back-Up Supply

how pellet stove works with power backup

Use a stove sentry battery backup device or something like it, and put its interface between the stove and the AC wall outlet. The stove sentry will be connected to the Pellet stove, your AC power outlet, and the battery. If the AC power goes out, the Stove sentry will kick in and keep your Pellet stove running without interruption.

Precaution and Tips

You have to inspect it regularly to make sure that your purchased pellet stove is running properly. You need to inspect the combustion chamber regularly and look for its working properly or not. Also, check out the vent pipe every month once or twice and investigate on the whole if the pipe is corroded or damaged.
Make sure you use only recommended or premium quality wood pellets that are indicated in the manual of your Pellet stove. This will help your Pellet stove run efficiently. When it isn't running effectively, it causes more smoke.
Dispose of the ashes safely, place them in a metal container that has a lid to cover them. Don't place them in a garbage can or near the combustible item. Store containers outside the house and away from the house.

Warning

Do not place a Pellet stove in your bedroom or near to electric device (like electric range or other heaters) or anywhere that is close to your children. Because it does run on electricity you don't want the possibility of electrocution. Also, it will violate your town code enforcement. You do not want to violate the town's codes which could result in legal issues and fines. You could also not be covered by your insurance.

Wrap Up

Pellet stoves will pay for themselves in a short amount of time. Yes, the initial set-up cost seems expensive, but as noted above, your costs will be reduced in the long run dramatically. Having a Pellet stove is a cost-effective, heat effective way of heating your home. Installing it safely and in accordance with your own laws, will ensure that your heating system at home will be a pleasant and inexpensive experience.