A wood pellet stove is a great investment for any household, but it won’t work properly unless you have the right kind of venting system in place.
Some types of ventilation will damage the wood pellet stove, while others will work but increase the chance that you’ll have issues such as higher emissions and fly ash.
Here are some of the basics of pellet stove venting. Read on to learn!
Types of Pellet Stove Venting
Pellet stove venting is important to consider when purchasing a pellet stove. There are two types of venting systems: vertical and horizontal.
Vertical Venting
It is typically what most people are familiar with and is often the most cost-effective. This type of venting uses a chimney to expel smoke and gas from the stove to the outdoors.
Horizontal Venting
It is more complex since it requires sending fuel from the stove to the outdoor vent through a wall instead of discharging up a chimney. Both venting types need to install properly to ensure the safe use of a pellet stove and to maximize efficiency.
Also, pellet stoves are often considered more efficient than wood-burning stoves due to their ability to have secondary burn chambers that help to increase the efficiency of the unit.
The Benefits
Pellet stove ventilation is becoming increasingly popular among modern homeowners. It is an economical way to heat a home as pellets are cheaper than firewood and provide a clean burning source of heat.
Pellets are fed into the stove from an externally vented hopper, where they’re burned, and the heat is circulated through the home. This direct venting system protects the homeowner from any potentially hazardous gases and allows for better temperature control and improved indoor air quality.
It also eliminates the inconvenience of traditional wood stoves. The effort of relighting, refilling, and cleaning the stove daily is unnecessary, thus reducing the maintenance and labor necessary to heat a house.
The Considerations
Pellet stove venting must be carefully considered to ensure the safety and proper operation of the stove. This includes taking into account where the exhaust should vent, the type of pipe used, and the space between the stove and the vent termination.
Pellet stoves must be outdoor venting; it is not safe to vent into an attic, crawl space, or chimney. The vent pipe must be non-combustible, with proper clearance from combustible materials.
Also, the combustion air intake needs to be directed outside, away from any intake vents. Installing vent termination is a must, according to manufacturer specs. Proper roof or wall clearance must be maintained, and protected from weathering and nesting critters.
You also need pellet stove piping kits. Without them, the entire system can be compromised and the use of the pellet stove can be unsafe. The piping kit helps ensure that fumes and hot air are quickly removed from the house and not lingering in the indoor air.
Learn More About Pellet Stove Venting Today
Based on the requirements discussed, it is important to understand how to properly vent a pellet stove correctly and safely. Make sure to look into all proper regulations and safety precautions to ensure optimal performance.
For a professional to help you with the pellet stove venting installation, maintenance, and repair, consider hiring a certified HVAC technician.
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