5 Tips for Pellet Stove Installation

Heating your home using wood is one of the oldest and most popular ways to stay warm during the winter months.

However, it may not always be the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly option.

Luckily, there's an even better, cheaper and more energy-efficient way to use wood as a main source of heat.

More and more households resort to pellet stoves because they're affordable and fairly easy to install. And the pellets are a lot cheaper than burning wood because they're made from recycled wood waste.

But in order to transfer heat throughout your entire home, pellet stoves must be placed in the right position for maximum safety, venting, maintenance, and heating.

Choosing the best pellet stove depends on the size of your home and the surface it'll heat. At this point, you should either hire a professional to install it for you or decide do it yourself.

If you're a DIY kind of person, keep reading to discover the 5 best tips on pellet stove installation and how to do it the easy way.

Tips for Pellet Stove Installation

If you're handy around the house and love doing and making things for yourself, these tips will help you get the gist of installing a pellet stove for the first time.

Even if you're confident in your skills, you should still go through the pellet stove manual and study the instructions. This is essential for maximum safety and minimum damage on the stove and your home.

Read on to learn the best way to easily install a pellet stove at home.

1. Determine the Pellet Stove Placement in the Home

The steps to a successful pellet stove installation will depend on the type of stove you've purchased.

If you have a big house with more than one floor and several rooms, the stove will need to be larger in order to cover this wide area.

So placing the stove at the right spot is crucial for effective heat distribution.

Ideally, you want the stove to be placed in a central position with no walls or other barriers in order to reach all rooms equally.

If you have a large square footage, this may not be possible with a regular-sized stove. You'll need one with a blower to distribute the warm air everywhere. You will also need to install a ducted forced-air heating system in the rooms that are out of reach.

Finally, never install a pellet stove in a bedroom. If possible, place the stove against an exterior wall to make venting easy.

2. Meet All the Venting Requirements

Meeting the necessary venting requirements during a pellet stove installation will ensure maximum heat distribution. At the same time, pellet combustion produces by-products like smoke, ashes, and small particles that must be led out of the home.

Before you begin installing, take into consideration your local building codes and standards. The best place to install a stove is near an outside wall for direct venting or near a roof or chimney.

As an additional safety measure, install the stove vent pipes away from gas meters and air intake units. The pipes must not be installed near trees, driveways, or sidewalks.

3. Comply With the Safety Measures

Before you begin your pellet stove installation, you must first refer to the local building codes and see if you comply.

Ideally, the area around the stove should be clear of any combustible materials like drapes or window coverings, wood, furniture or shelves.

The floor where the stove will stand also matters, so refer to the stove manufacturer manual to see which type of flooring works best for your particular kind.

When working, always wear protective equipment like helmet, gloves and eye gear to avoid injuries.

When turning on the stove, don't use kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, or gasoline to light up the fire.

As stated before, installing the stove vent properly and in accordance with your local codes is one of the most important safety measures.

4. Meet the Electrical Requirements

Though pellet stoves use wood pellets as their only source of energy, some types may need to be connected to an electrical outlet.

Stoves that use electrical power are turned on and off by pressing a button in order to enter a starting or shutting down cycle.

But to complete the cycle, they must never be turned off by unplugging the electrical cord directly off the power source. Doing so may cause overheating of the pellet stove and leftover smoke may be vented into the house instead of outside.

5. Consider Hiring a Professional

Pellet stoves are on the easier side when it comes to installation, but this may still be a challenging task, even for the most talented handyman.

If you tried but are not sure you can install your stove properly, you may want to consider hiring a professional to do the job for you.

Of course, you'll need to pay for their service, but they'll perform a quality assessment on your home and choose the best placement for the stove.

In addition, they'll be familiar with all local safety protocols and venting requirements, so you can have a peace of mind and a warm house.

Conclusion

Now that you've successfully completed your pellet stove installation, it's time to enjoy the warmth and coziness of your home.

During installation, always bear in mind the safety of your home, family and yourself. Handle everything with care and wear protective gear during installation.

If you're not sure about something, refer to the stove manual or contact your pellet stove company for help.

Remember that pellet stoves, like any other appliance, are prone to wear and tear, so you should have them checked at least once a year or after the season is over.

Sometimes, if the stove's not working properly, you may be dealing with a broken or run down part that needs replacement.

We at Pellet Stove Parts 4 Less have a wide range of affordable high-quality pellet stove parts for many different brands.

Contact us to find out more or to talk to a customer service agent today.