Other factors for Venting System for Pellet stoves

July 2, 2008 · Filed Under Pellet Stove Installation · Comment 

Besides appliance requirements, what other factors may be considered in specifying pellet venting systems?
The following factors may play a role in the designation of the venting system:

  • Altitude: Sounds funny but the higher the altitude installations, generally higher than 2500 feet above sea level, may require special venting options to provide adequate combustion air and/or draft.
  • House Pressure: Extremely tight house construction or strong kitchen, bath, or other exhaust fans may create a negative pressure within the home that decreases venting effectiveness. May necessitate an approved outside air source.
  • Windy Conditions. Unpredictable effects of high winds or prevailing wind conditions may necessitate the addition of vertical venting extending above the roof and/or special termination caps.
  • Cleanout and Maintenance: The venting system must be designed with normal maintenance in mind.

How should pellet venting components be assembled and joined together?


Pellet Stove Appliance manufacturer instructions should always be followed closely regarding sealing joints and seams, particularly of pressurized mechanical exhaust vents. It is very important that they be gas tight so that they cannot leak.

Appliance manufacturer’s instructions for pipe sealing which exceed vent manufacturer’s instructions must take precedence.You can get a sense of what heating with pellets involves through an introduction to the principles of operation and the reasons for maintenance that you will come to understand as an experienced operator.

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Pellet stove venting layout

July 1, 2008 · Filed Under Pellet Stove Installation · 1 Comment 

Options for venting layout?
Mechanical Exhaust:

  • Sidewall horizontal venting (Figure 9). Is the least expensive venting system. Disadvantage of potential smoke spilling into the house in the event of a power outage or component failure, or house depressurization , also can leave an ugly black smoke mark on the wall.
  • Horizontal vent with backup vertical venting (see Figure 10). Preferred horizontal method that avoids venting problems associated with unexpected appliance shutdown. Smoke mark will still occur.
  • Vertical venting through the ceiling and roof (Figure 11). Has the advantages of keeping vent gases warm and of providing natural draft to prevent problems in an unexpected shutdown.
  • Venting into existing chimney. Stove manufacturers provide recommendations for venting into masonry and factory-built chimneys, which may include partial or full chimney relining and cealing around the pellet stove.
  • Natural Draft: All vents for appliances designed without mechanical exhaust fans must meet stove manufacturer’s requirements for minimum draft and must terminate above the roof line.

Vertical (Figure 12) Extends up from the stove and penetrates the ceiling and roof . Horizontal and vertical (Figure 13). Extends from the top or back of the appliance, penetrates the wall, turns up to penetrate the eave and roof.

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Pellet stove Ventilation

June 30, 2008 · Filed Under Pellet Stove Installation · 2 Comments 

What are the purposes of venting systems?

Proper ventialation is an essential for proper appliance performance, dwelling safety, maintenance frequency, and general indoor environment. Pellet stoves appliances will produce little or no visible smoke after startup, but water vapour,exhaust gases and fine ash must be removed safely from the appliance to the outdoors.

The purpose of all vents is to remove combustion by-products during normal pellet stove operation. For most pellet stove designs the exhaust is mechanical by means of blowing the combustion by-products out and pulling air needed for combustion into the fire, nowdays few pellet stoves operate without a combustion air fan and use natural draft both for exhaust and combustion air intake. Protection of nearby combustibles is essential. The minimum clearance between the vent and combustibles, as specified in the vent installation instructions, must be met or exceeded.

What materials and products can be used to vent pellet stoves?
The product specifically tested and listed for use with pellet stoves is PL vent pipe, labeled as tested to UL 641. PL vent pipe is double wall pipesystem with a stainless steel inner pipe that carries the exhaust products is separated from the outer pipe an air space which must be air tight to stop any leaks. Stoves tested and listed requiring PL vent must use no substitute venting materials.

Venting materials and products that MUST not be used to vent pellet stove appliances include:

  • Dryer vent
  • Gas appliance (Type B) vent
  • PVC (plastic) pipe
  • Single wall stove pipe (unless clearly approved by the installation manual and local codes)

Pellet fireplace inserts and freestanding pellet stoves are often vented into existing masonry and factory-built fireplace and woodstove chimneys (Figure 8).

The chimney- should be inspected before installation to ensure that it is clean, mechanically sound, and meets local safety code requirements. The appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions may require relining the chimney with an approved metal liner, pipe, or PL vent. Vents or grilles on the face of factory-built fireplaces which provide cooling air to the outside jacket of the fireplace must not be blocked. Cleanout access for future maintenance should be considered.

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