Updated at: 04-10-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

The question “how do you vent a pellet stove?” has been asked of me frequently. In three simple steps! I’m fortunate enough to work in an area with a window that opens to let in some fresh air.

Pellet burners function similarly to conventional wood stoves in that both are designed to burn solid fuel.

Venting for fresh air and exhaust is where the two stoves diverge significantly. We looked into the differences between wood-burning stoves and pellet stoves, using our own pellet stove as an example. You will also learn about the rules for venting this stove and whether or not a fresh air entrance is required for all pellet stoves. The various pellet stove venting options will also be discussed.

Do You Need To Vent All Pellet Stoves?

Whether by a traditional chimney or a hole in the wall, exhaust air from a pellet stove must be vented to the outside. Though, if you’re using a pellet stove to obtain some ventilation, you might not need to do any direct venting at all.

Pellet Stove Installation Part 1 See Description - YouTube

Before installing a pellet stove, it is important to think about the venting needs of the stove and where the air for the stove will come from. Depending on the design, pellet stoves may have either a flue socket or an intake air vent on the rear. The exhaust air is released by a combustion chimney. Since pellet stoves use real fire to burn pellet fuel, there is a certain amount of regulation required during installation regarding the oxygen supply to the stove and waste air from the combustion chamber.

Regulations for Pellet Stove Exhaust Venting

The harmful byproduct air from your pellet stove must be vented outside. Since pellet stoves require fuel, a proper waste air venting system is essential. This is done to make sure that any potentially harmful by-products of a fire are safely removed from a home.

Pellet burners that use ambient air to fuel the fire can have their exhaust piped through an exterior wall, but all combustion byproducts must be vented to the outdoors via a chimney. In order to get fresh air, pellet stoves that employ a direct vent must be placed against an outside wall. Both solutions must adhere to local building codes in addition to manufacturer specifications for them to be considered legitimate.

Ways To Vent A Pellet Stove

But how exactly does one go about venting a pellet stove? The simple recirculation of waste air created by a pellet burner is prohibited by rules and standards for installing solid fuel equipment. Furthermore, this is a very risky technique. There are three options for venting the exhaust air from a pellet stove, and each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

#1. Using existing chimney

It will be essential to use the preexisting chimney and convert the old brick fireplace into a pellet stove. Make sure the pellet stove’s height is accommodated by the fireplace opening. Pellet stoves have several waste air venting methods depending on the stove, the manufacturer, and the local building codes.

The pellet stove we built was too big to fit in the open fireplace we had previously constructed, so we now have it in the living room, against an exterior wall. Our chimney ascended the outside wall of the house, crossed over it, and then passed right through it.

#2. Through the exterior wall

Manufacturers will typically provide instructions on how to correctly vent a pellet stove’s chimney through an outside wall. Even though requirements for pellet stove air intake are less stringent than those for exhaust flues, there are a few choices for venting pellet stoves so that enough fresh air reaches the combustion chamber.

#3. Direct air vent

Pellet stoves typically have vents for fresh air. The pellet stove, for instance, has a 50mm diameter air intake vent on its back. Depending on where your pellet stove is located, you can either open a window or a door for air circulation. Waste air can be released through the pellet stove’s air vent. As a means of venting the exhaust from the pellet stove’s combustion chamber, furnace extractors are a common accessory. In this way, the stove can be made to burn more efficiently by drawing in air from behind it through a rear vent. In addition, a vacuum is created using this technique.

How We Vented Our Pellet Stove?

According to our stove’s manual, if a direct vent is not used to draw in outside air, then an external air vent must be installed in the same room as the stove. This is done so that there is always enough oxygen in the area.

Wood pellet stoves, which use room air for combustion, may require a wall air vent leading outside. Because the stove shouldn’t deplete the air quality too much. Our pellet stove’s fresh air intake was already installed outside the home when we moved in, but it is being used for something else at the moment.

How to Install a Pellet Stove

Step-by-step instructions are provided for installing a pellet stove to provide supplemental, cost-effective home heating.

Can I Install a Pellet Stove Myself?

Even though installing a pellet stove requires some knowledge of carpentry in order to make venting openings in the wall, it is possible to do it yourself if you have the time and energy to learn the process. The alternative is to seek professional assistance. Watch this video for a comprehensive breakdown of the pellet stove installation process.

Venting a Pellet Stove

Depending on where you plan to install the pellet stove, a hole will need to be created in a wall or the roof for ventilation. You can see the installer affixing the vent through the wall in this video, just as they describe doing it in the instructions below.

Will a Pellet Stove Heat a Whole House?

Whether or not a pellet stove can provide adequate heating for a whole home is highly dependent on the design of the home. The area that can be heated by a burner with 5,000 btus is roughly 200 square feet. It is seen in the film that the homeowner plans to install a pellet stove in the living room, with the hope that the warm air will spread throughout the space and into the adjacent dining and kitchen areas.

Pellet Stove Installation in 23 Steps

  1. Prepare the floor at the installation site by placing a fireproof mat there.
  2. Carefully position the pellet stove on the pad, keeping it at a safe distance from nearby walls and furniture.
  3. Put the stove’s vent pipe on hold while you make a pilot hole in the outer wall that is 3/8 inches in diameter. Get the hole lined up with the edge of the exhaust duct.
  4. Take a pencil and trace the vent pipe’s shape onto the wall, then pull the pipe out from behind the stove.
  5. Make a mark on the wall at the desired thimble diameter using large dividers.
  6. Put the wall divider right in the centre of the vent pipe outline, and draw a circle on the wall using a marker.
  7. Use a reciprocating saw to cut along the outermost huge circle.
  8. To make a second hole in the outer wall of the house, just repeat Steps 5 and 6.
  9. Make a mark on the siding of the home where the thimble is resting against the outer wall.
  10. Slots can be cut into the siding at each mark using a reciprocating saw.
  11. Insulate the pipe that goes through the thimble to prevent fires.
  12. Thimble the external wall to ensure it fits into the notches in the siding, then press it against the wall. Secure the thimble to the wall with a screw.
  13. You should fasten the screen and elbow to the end of the vent pipe.
  14. Create a hole on the external wall of the house that is 2 12 inches in diameter for the air intake vent. The hole should be placed no closer than 12 inches to the vent pipe.
  15. Create a hole on the inside wall that is also 2 12 inches in diameter.
  16. Put in a flexible metal intake vent with a 2-inch diameter via the exterior opening.
  17. The flexible vent can be secured to the wall by screwing the flange it came with into the siding.
  18. Using silicone caulk, seal the hole where the 2-inch vent enters the wall.
  19. Secure the mounting plate to the wall using the four screws provided.
  20. Seal any openings in the vent pipe with high-temperature silicone caulk. Join the vent to the back of the range.
  21. Join the range’s air intake to its exhaust stack in the back. You can use a nut driver to snug up the hose clamp’s connection.
  22. Connect the exhaust vent’s end to an elbow, and then run the other end of the vent through a thimble in an interior wall. Connect the elbow to the duct pipe by tightening the screws.
  23. Connect the power source, add wood pellets to the hopper, and test the stove’s functionality.

Basement Vent Options for a Pellet Stove

Basements and other underground rooms are often much chillier than the rest of the house. A pellet stove might be an appropriate heating appliance for such a setting. Pellet stoves are more efficient than fireplaces and wood-burning stoves because they burn pellets created from a range of recyclable materials, including compressed sawdust. They result in cleaner air since they generate so little ash and smoke.

Pellet Stove Venting

Installing a pellet stove in a basement requires special ventilation for both the exhaust and the incoming air supply. Having adequate ventilation in the home is crucial to the well-being of its inhabitants. When smoke and ash build up within a house due to poor venting, they might irritate the respiratory systems of persons who are already sensitive to the air. Carbon monoxide, which can be lethal to humans and animals, can accumulate in an enclosed space if ventilation is inadequate.

The recommended distance from a window or door to a vent should be between 12 and 48 inches. Separation distances from ventilated soffits must be 18 inches, while those from unventilated soffits must be 12 inches. There should be 12 inches of space to enter from an inner corner and 18 inches to exit to an outside corner. A gas meter must be at least three feet away from any vent.

A fresh air inlet and an exhaust flue are needed to properly vent a stove in a basement. The pellet stove can draw in air from the area it’s in, or it can vent directly through an exterior wall. A flue must be installed to allow exhaust air to escape to the outside. Type L and direct vent are two examples of exhaust piping options. Depending on your ventilation setup, one or the other may be more appropriate. In addition to a vent cap, the system will need a wall thimble to secure the piping to an exterior wall or ceiling.

Exhaust from a pellet burner should be piped out using stainless steel inner piping and galvanized steel exterior piping. If you want to use a pellet stove, there are several things you should know about venting it. PVC pipes, dryer vent hoses, and hoses for venting gas appliances fall under this category. Since the pellet stove’s exhaust is pressured, it is essential that all pipe connections be gasketed or sealed with silicone.

Pellet Stove Basement Venting Options

The exhaust from a pellet stove must be directed outside for safety reasons. Venting a pellet stove can be done in a number of different ways. In most cases, you may either connect your vent to an existing system in your house or run a separate duct outside. One can choose to vent upwards through the ceiling, or outwards through the side wall. If there is already a wood stove in the basement, you can use its chimney for the venting.

Pellet Stove Installation Part 2 - YouTube

Internal Wall Installation

Put in a pellet stove on an interior wall and have the chimney exit through the top of the roof. A vent pipe must be routed similarly to that of a wood-burning stove in order to do this. An adapter is fastened to the pellet stove, and the vent system is run through the ceiling and finally the roof. There must be a ceiling support box, flashing kit, and attic insulation shield installed.

When installing a pellet stove in a basement room that is far from any exterior walls, the internal wall installation method is your best bet. On the downside, you’ll have to put holes in the ceilings of the lower level, the top level, and the roof.

External Wall Installation

The alternative involves positioning the pellet stove against an exterior wall. After that, you’ll need to drill a horizontal hole in your exterior wall and run the flue vertically up the face of your home’s outer wall.

Using an L-shaped vent pipe, this strategy requires little alterations to the structure’s exterior. On the flipside, if the power goes out and the pellet stove’s exhaust fan isn’t working, the smoke will have to be piped up and out of the house in a natural draft, thus the piping needs to climb three to four feet. Additional time and preparation must be made during installation to accommodate this.

Installation Within an Existing Fireplace

As a third alternative, you can put the pellet stove in an already-existing masonry fireplace and use the chimney for ventilation. This is a viable choice if the fireplace is large enough to house the pellet stove. However, not all pellet stoves are designed to fit into an existing chimney. The space in the chimney between the stove and the top must also have a flue liner insert fitted so that the exhaust can rise and exit the building safely.

How to Remove & Clean the Pipe on a Pellet Stove

  • This is a filthy but necessary task. Cleaning the vent pipe of a wood pellet stove gets rid of the carcinogenic creosote and allows you to catch additional issues before they get out of hand. The term “creosote” is used to describe the unburned fuel released by any type of wood. When it enters the pipe’s cooler air, it condenses into a tar-like material that adheres to the walls. Power that isn’t put to good use is, quite literally, wasted. Worse, it poses a fire risk. While pellet stoves are superior to wood stoves and fireplaces in terms of energy efficiency, creosote buildup is still possible. In order to keep your family and house safe, you should clean the chimney on your stove frequently.
  • To avoid starting a fire while cleaning your pellet stove, make sure to turn off the power at a time when the stove hasn’t been used for at least 24 hours. Pick a day with little wind, so that a downdraft doesn’t occur and cause air to flow backwards through the vent. In order to combat even modest downdrafts, opening a window might create negative pressure.
  • Find the clean-out tee on your pellet stove; this T-shaped segment of pipe does double duty as a cleaning access point and a visual cue that you’ve reached the point where the pipe goes from horizontal to vertical. Although the tee could be located outside the house, it is more common to find it inside, behind the range. Protect the floor beneath the stove’s interior vent pipe by laying a sheet or something similar on the ground. It may be necessary to screw off, pry off, or twist free the lid of the clean-out tee.
  • If your pellet stove pipe doesn’t have a clean-out tee, you’ll need to find a convenient spot to split the pipe in two behind the appliance. To disassemble, use a screwdriver to unscrew two parts that are screwed together, or scissors to sever tape or sealant between parts that fit together with friction. If the pipe is being stubborn, grab it and give it a good twist.
  • To make a makeshift blanket, simply dampen a dry old sheet or blanket. Hang it from the open end of the tee or the neighboring horizontal pipe. When cleaning, place a 5-gallon bucket under the entrance and arrange the sheet so that any ash or creosote you dislodge lands in the bucket or stays on the sheeting. It’s a great way to keep your house from getting too messy.
  • If the vent ends on the roof, you’ll need to get up there, or you can utilize the entrance on the side of your house. Take off the top of the chimney and any screens you find there. The top can be fastened in place using screws, glue, or a friction fit achieved by twisting the two halves together. Once the component is removed, you can use a flashlight to view far inside the pipe.
  • A plastic- or flexible-steel-bristled brush measuring 3 or 4 inches (the size of a pellet vent pipe) should be used to scrub the vent pipe clean from the outside entrance. It’s not a good idea to use a brush with strong bristles on a vent pipe, as this could scratch the lining. When sweeping down the pipe, use a circular motion, and when bringing the broom back up the pipe, use a circular motion in reverse. Keep going until you see a decline in the amount of ash and dirt the brush brings up. Use a flashlight to peer inside the pipe for confirmation.
  • You may adjust the length of the pipe brush with rods. Another option is to use a long rope tied to either end of the brush and lower it through the open vent in the house. Work the brush back and forth between you by having a helper grip the rope. If you can maneuver the brush through the entire pipe on your own, you can save time and effort by doing the task by yourself.
  • After brushing, put the chimney cover back on and reinstall the screening if necessary. Bring your equipment back inside the house with you. If you conducted the work by yourself, you should wait 15 to 20 minutes for the creosote and fly ash to settle at the other end of the pipe.
  • To clean out the tee or pipe end, remove the wrapping. The ash and creosote should be confined as much as possible within the sheet, so gather it up as you work. Allow the rest to fall into the bucket. For the final step in cleaning out the pipe, a gentle sweeping motion will do the trick. After clearing up the mess, you can recap the tee or reassemble the pipe sections and coat them with high-temperature silicone sealant made for the job.

FAQs

Can I vent my pellet stove straight out?

To clean out the tee or pipe end, remove the wrapping. The ash and creosote should be confined as much as possible within the sheet, so gather it up as you work. Allow the rest to fall into the bucket. For the final step in cleaning out the pipe, a gentle sweeping motion will do the trick. After clearing up the mess, you can recap the tee or reassemble the pipe sections and coat them with high-temperature silicone sealant made for the job.

Does a pellet stove need a fresh air vent?

Remove the tape from the end of the pipe or the clean-out tee. When working with ash and creosote, it is important to gather the sheet up and trap as much of it as possible within the material. Drop the remainder into the container. You can finish clearing out the pipe’s terminus by giving it a little sweep. You should use a high-temperature silicone sealer made for this purpose to cover the tee or the newly joined sections of pipe, then clean up the mess.

How far can you vent a pellet stove?

My present vent pipe is perfectly OK; may I use it again? The exhaust pipe on most pellet stoves is 3 inches in diameter. This exhaust should be routed through 4-inch pipe if it needs to travel more than 15 feet (right angle elbows count as 5 feet).

Why do pellet stoves need outside air?

While an Outside Air Kit’s use isn’t always mandated, it is strongly suggested for any structure’s installation. By bringing in fresh air from the outside, an Outside Air Kit helps keep the air-to-fuel ratio stable and promotes uniform combustion in your appliance.

How far does a pellet stove exhaust have to be from a window?

The guideline states that the end of a pellet stove must be at least four feet away from any opening window or door. If the stove uses an outside source of air for burning, this requirement can be lowered to 18 inches. Twelve inches of clearance is required above windows and doors, or nine inches with an external air supply.

How do I get the most heat out of my pellet stove?

A hotter burn and more heat can be obtained from a pellet stove by: Use low-ash, high-quality pellets in your pellet stove. The stove’s heat setting must be raised. A faster fan setting is needed for the stove. Regulate how much air enters and exits the stove.

How much clearance does a pellet stove need?

Most pellet stoves can be positioned closer to combustibles than wood stoves or fireplaces, often 3 inches away from walls at the sides and 1 inch from a rear wall.

Do pellet stoves make the air dry?

Modern pellet-burning stoves can be a nice winter warmer for the living area in your home; but like all wood-burning devices, they can dry the air. Humidity below 30 percent can cause problems for some people, including dry skin, upper respiratory discomfort and sinus problems.

How long will a 40 lb bag of pellets burn?

Modern pellet-burning stoves can be a nice winter warmer for the living area in your home; but like all wood-burning devices, they can dry the air. Humidity below 30 percent can cause problems for some people, including dry skin, upper respiratory discomfort and sinus problems.

how to vent a pellet stove through a wall | Harman Pellet stove and see that the manual says I need 5″ ven… | Pellet stove, Pellet stove hearth, Harman pellet stove

Is there a vent free pellet stove?

Modern pellet-burning stoves can be a pleasant winter warmer for the living area in your home; but like any wood-burning devices, they can dry the air. Humidity below 30 percent might create difficulties for some people, including dry skin, upper respiratory discomfort and sinus problems.

How high should the flame be in my pellet stove?

Like other wood-burning appliances, modern pellet-burning stoves can dry the air in your home throughout the winter months. Humidity below 30 percent might create difficulties for some people, including dry skin, upper respiratory discomfort and sinus problems.

How do you adjust the air intake on a pellet stove?

While modern pellet-burning stoves might be a pleasant way to warm up your living space during the winter, they can also contribute to air dryness because they burn wood. Some people experience discomfort at humidity levels below 30%, including dry skin, difficulty breathing, and congestion in the nasal passages and sinuses.

What is code for pellet stove exhaust?

Combustibles must be kept at least 16 inches away from the stove’s top, and the vent must be at least 3 inches away. Combustibles such as doors or drapes should not be placed within 36 inches of the front or sides of the stove.

Do pellet stoves raise insurance rates?

If you heat with a wood or pellet stove, your insurance premiums will go up, although usually just by a little amount. Because wood stoves cause so many more house fires, you may find that they are more expensive than pellet stoves to run.

What is the best setting for my pellet stove?

A pellet stove’s performance and efficiency can be maximized by careful planning, skilled installation, high-quality fuel, and routine upkeep. Using the appliance on the lower heat levels, such as 2 or 3, is preferable to using the higher heat settings, 4 or 5.

Why is the flame so high on my pellet stove?

The pellet stove need additional air if the flame is too high and not moving around. The ends of these sluggish flames often appear dark orange or sometimes nearly black. In order to let in additional air, simply pull the damper out or wiggle it a bit to open it.

How do I circulate the air in my pellet stove?

Any Home with a Fireplace or Wood- or Pellet-Fired Heating System… Initially, activate the fan to aid with heat circulation if you also have forced air. If you want chilly air to rise from the floor and warm air to be pushed downward, reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to the clockwise position. And keep them operating at a crawl.

Do pellet stoves vent?

Most pellet stoves, like direct vent gas fireplaces, are vented horizontally through the wall to the exterior. A pressurized hybrid system made of a stainless steel inner wall and gaskets that seal tightly is used for venting pellet stoves.

Can you get carbon monoxide from a pellet stove?

Woodstoves, pellet stoves, hydronic heaters, boilers, and fireplaces all pose safety risks if not installed, ventilated, and maintained correctly. Storing wood pellets might cause a chemical reaction that releases toxic levels of carbon monoxide (CO).

It’s A Wrap!

There you have it; that’s how we exhaust the stove. What is your opinion on pellet stove venting? Any of the aforementioned techniques can be used on your stove, but it is important to observe any applicable manufacturer or municipal guidelines. Find out which pellet stove is top-notch.