How to Install a Pellet Stove

Can I Install a Pellet Stove Myself?

A pellet stove requires some expertise to install, if you have some carpentry skills to cut holes in the house for venting you’ll be able to do it yourself. Otherwise, it’ll likely be better to get some professional help. In this video we walk you through a pellet stove installation from start to finish so you know what to expect.

Venting a Pellet Stove

To vent this pellet stove, you’ll need to cut out a hole either in the wall or roof of your house depending on where you place the stove. In this video, and as described in the steps below, you’ll see the installer attach the vent through the wall.

Will a Pellet Stove Heat a Whole House?

If a pellet stove can heat your whole house will depend heavily on the layout. A stove with 5000 btus will heat approx. a 200 square feet space. As shown the video, the homeowner will be placing a pellet stove in the living room and it is expected that the heat will travel across the living room into the dining and kitchen area.

Pellet Stove Installation in 23 Steps

1. Set a fireproof pad onto the floor at the desired installation location.
2. Place the pellet stove on top of the floor pad, making sure to maintain the proper clearances from combustible surfaces.
3. Temporarily attach the vent pipe to the stove, then bore a ⅜-inch pilot hole through the exterior house wall. Align the hole with the edge of the vent pipe.
4. Trace the vent pipe outline onto the wall, then remove the pipe from the stove.
5. Use large dividers to mark the diameter of the interior wall thimble onto the wall.
6. Place the divider in the middle of the vent-pipe outline, then scribe a circle onto the wall.
7. Cut along the large outer circle with a reciprocating saw.
8. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 to cut a matching hole through the exterior house wall.
9. Hold the exterior wall thimble in place and mark where it contacts the house siding.
10. Use a reciprocating saw to cut slots into the siding at each mark.
11. Wrap fireproof insulation around the pipe that passes through the thimble.
12. Press the exterior wall thimble against the wall, making sure it fits into the slots cut in the siding. Screw the thimble to the siding.
13. Attach the elbow and screen to the end of the vent pipe.
14. Bore a 2½-inch hole through the exterior house wall for the fresh-air intake vent. Be sure to locate the hole at least 12 inches away from the exhaust vent pipe.
15. Drill a matching 2½-inch hole through the interior wall.
16. Feed a 2-inch-diameter flexible aluminum intake vent through the exterior hole and into the room.
17. Screw the mounting flange on the flexible vent to the siding.
18. Apply a bead of silicone caulk around the 2-inch vent where it passes through the interior wall.
19. Slide the mounting plate flush against the wall, then secure it with four screws.
20. Use high-heat silicone caulk to seal all connections to the vent pipe. Connect the exhaust pipe to the rear of the stove.
21. Connect the intake vent to the rear of the stove. Tighten the hose-clamp connection using a nut driver.
22. Attach an elbow to the end of the exhaust vent, then connect it to the interior wall thimble. Screw the elbow to the vent pipe.
23. Plug in the stove’s power cord, fill the stove’s hopper with wood pellets and check then the stove’s operation.

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