Putting In A Chimney Vent Installation

It's very important only to use an approved pellet stove vent pipe for your chimney vent installation. Pellet stoves burn hotter than most other types of stove. Vent pipe is double walled to help keep the outside cool. The walls are separated by an air gap. The inner pipe is made from stainless steel to guard against high temperature corrosion from salts in the exhaust gases. The outer casing is galvanised steel to protect it against rusting.

Pipe joints generally push and twist to lock together. These joints must also be sealed with high temperature silicone to prevent any leaks. A pellet stove vent system is under pressure from the fans that run air into and out of the stove.

Three inch pipe can only be used for runs of less than ten feet. A 45 degree turn will add 20% to the calculated run of the pipe, a 90 degree elbow will add 30%. In general it's better to stay with four inch pipe which will cost little more for a short run anyway.

Pellet stove vent pipe should always run more than three inches away from any combustible materials.
Any horizontal run should have a rise of 1/4 of an inch for every foot.

When installing a vent system, make sure that you will be able to gain access for cleaning.

Regulations For Venting

Local building codes vary for pellet stove vent installations. Check with your local building inspector to find out exactly what's required.

The manufacturer of your pellet stove will also provide detailed instructions for venting, which should come with your stove, or can be obtained with an enquiry.

If you're considering a chimney vent installation, the first thing to do is check the condition of your chimney. Have it swept or sweep it yourself, get a powerful light source, and have a look. Perhaps you don't want to put your head up the chimney? Get a mirror and shine the light on it so that the beam goes up the chimney. You will be able to see what's going on in the mirror.

You'll be looking for obstructions, combustible deposits or cracked brickwork that is out of line.

If a lot of masonry debris came down when the chimney was swept, you will need either a chimney liner or a full length pellet stove vent pipe.

If all is good, you can run a short length of pellet stove vent pipe through a blanking plate made of steel or other non-combustible sheet.

Most pellet stove manufacturers no longer recommend using a short connection to a chimney without a liner because of the difficulties of thoroughly cleaning the vent once the stove is installed.

If your chimney already has a liner, ensure that it is of an adequate size for your stove. All pellet stoves require a rainproof cap at the top.

better chimney pellet stove vent installation

Full Length Pellet Stove Vent

This is the best way to put in a chimney vent installation. The internal condition of the chimney will not be a cause for concern. When measuring the length, allow the vent pipe to protrude 14ins. above the top of the masonry.

If the run of the chimney is not straight, appropriate lengths of flexible stainless steel pipe will be needed in the run.

When installing the vent from the back of the stove, a clean out 'T' will be required which must have its own support bracket attached to the rear of the pellet stove.