How to Properly Install a Pellet Stove (Complete Installation Guide 2023)

In case you are considering buying a pellet stove to save on heating, the installation process might take you through a mild breakdown before even getting started on it. Or if you have already tried different methods for installing the pellet stove and failed, this is the right place. In this article, we will be giving you guys all kinds of information regarding pellet stoves. We’ll take you through some very easy ways to install a pellet stove as well. 

Which is the best place to install a pellet stove? 

The positioning of the wood pellet stove is important not only for safety but efficiency as well. In case you have been blasting your head to figure out where to install the pellet stove, consider the below places. 

Inside of an insulated basement 

Installing your pellet stove in a well-insulated area is recommended because when there’s space for the warm air to go around, it spreads evenly all around the house so every corner is equally warm. The basement usually tends to be the colder area and if you like to spend most of your time there, it’s better if the pellet stove is installed in the basement. 

pellet stove photo

Alongside an external wall 

When you install your pellet stove beside an exterior wall, you end up reducing the costs of ventilation. Normally, the pellet stove is installed 1 to 3 inches from a wall which allows the vent space to travel through the back of the door and into the rear wall. This will also help hide the vent pipe of the stove and it doesn’t stick out and ruin all of your effort on home decor. 

Alongside a stairway 

The reason behind suggesting you install the pellet stove beside a stairway is because it helps the warmth spread. It tends to be more effective in making the whole area warm as the air rises. But, you will need a blower feature and a kind of warm air ducted heating system. 

Places you shouldn’t install a pellet stove 

Just like there are some good places to install the pellet stove, you also have a few places where it shouldn’t be installed. One of the top worst places to have a pellet stove in is your bedroom. Most of the code enforcement and towns do not allow a pellet stove to be installed in the bedroom. 

Even if you are permitted to do so, it’s not ideal. Pellet stoves can be quite loud when it is functioning and it can disturb your sleep. One thing you should remember is that most of the pellet stove insurances do not pay if the stove results in a fire. 

Steps to install a freestanding pellet stove  

Here is the part you’ve all been waiting for, the steps to install a pellet stove. We’ll talk about the installation of 2 types of pellet stoves, the first is freestanding and the second, insert. 

The first step is to install the hearth pad and put the pellet stove 

Decide on a place where you want to put your pellet stove and install a hearth pad there and make sure it is fire resistant. The basic function of a hearth pad is to protect your floors from any sparks, embers, etc, and prevent the occurrence of any possible fire breakout. Hearth pads are usually made from stone or cement. When you are done installing the hearth pad, get the pellet stove on to it. Make sure that the pellet stove is nearby an outlet and a wall because you’ll have to drill a hole for ventilation purposes. 

The second step is to start drilling a hole in the wall 

You need to make a hole through the wall where the pellet stove is. This is necessary to provide proper ventilation for the exhaust fumes given out from the pellet stove. The hole should be big enough to fit the pipe you are installing. In general, the hole should be around three inches wide or more. 

Time to install the vent piping and thimble

When you are done with drilling the vent hole, it’s time to drift the vent thimble. The vent thimble is basically a sheath for your pipe. After getting the thimble through, do the same with the piping as well. After this is done, there are two things you should do. The first is to secure the thimble on all sides of the pipe. The second thing is to place a screen and cap on the other side in order to prevent any kinds of debris and dirt from getting inside the ventilation system. 

For the last step, connect the stove to the outlet and the piping

Now, for the last step, connect the vent piping to the pellet stove’s exhaust piping and plug your stove into an outlet. There’s one thing left to do before starting to use your pellet stove is to fill the hopper up. 

Installing an insert pellet stove 

If you want to install your pellet stove at a subsistent fireplace opening, follow the below steps to do so. 

Start by preparing your fireplace 

The first and the most crucial thing is to be sure that the fireplace is all clean and clear to hold the pellet stove in it. In order to create space for certain pellet stoves, you will have to get rid of the damper of your fireplace. The damper is nothing but a rotated flap that keeps the cold air away just as soon as the fireplace is not being used and also gives the exhaust an opportunity to escape while it is functioning. But when you are setting up the pellet stove, such a mechanism will not be necessary. 

The second step is to install the chimney liner

After making space for the pellet stove, it’s time to install a good exhaust and piping system. In the previous method of installation, it was necessary for you to drill a hole into the wall but in this case, you can make use of the available chimney to vent the exhaust fumes out of the pellet stove. In order to do that, it is necessary for you to put a chimney liner across the chimney to take the fumes up and away from your house. It is easy if you thread the liner from the top instead of taking it via the ground, upwards. 

Connect the plug and liner adapter 

After you have managed to put the liner in place, you will need to fix a needed adapter piece just to be sure that the liner fits perfectly on your exhaust port. Also, make sure you plug in the pellet stove to a wall outlet. Note that it will be a lot harder to fasten all of these components when the pellet stove is already in the fireplace. So, it’s better to get everything connect before placing the stove in your fireplace. 

Put the stove in your fireplace, then attach the liner 

After you are done with the above steps, it’s time to get the pellet stove inside the opening of your fireplace, and do not forget to attach the liner to your exhaust port. 

The last step is to cover the liner on the chimney 

The final step is to cover the liner which is coming out of the chimney. The installation of the liner cap is necessary because it prevents outside debris, weather into the stove and your house. 

Conclusion 

Wood pellet stoves are an amazing investment, though they cost a lot initially, you will notice a large drop in your energy consumption in the long run. This is our complete guide on how to install a pellet stove. We’ve covered everything from where to install a pellet stove to how to install a freestanding and insert pellet stove. We hope that this article has shown you an easy way to install a pellet stove to stay cozy and warm.

ProductsNameFeaturesBuy
Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove
  • Heating Capacity: “2000 square feet”
  • BTU output(Max): “40000”
  • Hopper Capacity: “60lbs”
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pelpro Pellet Stove
  • Heating Capacity: “2500 square feet”
  • BTU output(Max): “40,600”
  • Hopper Capacity: “130 POUND”
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MagikFlame Electric Fireplace
  • Heating Capacity: “1000 square feet”
  • BTU output(Max): “5200”
  • Hopper Capacity: “N/A”
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Cleveland Iron Works PSBF66W-CIW Bayfront
  • Heating Capacity: “1800 square feet”
  • BTU output(Max): “5200”
  • Hopper Capacity: “66 lb”
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Castle Pellet Stoves Serenity 12327
  • Heating Capacity: “1500 square feet”
  • BTU output(Max): “22,226”
  • Hopper Capacity: “40 lb”
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