What factors determine appliance location?
For maximum enjoyment and heating effectiveness, a major living area where the family spends leisure
hours and which provides heat flow to other areas is usually a strongly preferred location for the
stove. The pellet heating professional considers the following factors when determining whether
installation requirements can be met in the homeowner's preferred location:
- Venting. May be limited by factors like obstructions above for vertical venting through the
ceiling and roof, or by the distance to an outside wall for horizontal venting.
- Outside air for combustion, if needed. Must be drawn from an approved location.
- Space requirements. Must meet minimum clearances between the stove and combustibles. More space
than the minimum required may be desirable to provide room for convenient operation and service.
- Electrical requirements and proximity to a properly wired outlet.
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What are my choices for floor protection?
The floor must be protected according to the pellet stove manufacturer's instructions. The minimum
size of the noncombustible floor protector is clearly specified in installation instructions. The
choice of suitable material usually requires professional assistance, unless a suitable hearth is
not already available in the home. Built-in appliances may require additional layer of protection,
such as an air space between the appliance and the floor protector.
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What electrical requirements should be checked?
The dealer or installer should check the intended appliance outlet for proper voltage, ground, and
polarity. The electrical circuit to be used should have a properly rated circuit breaker. Pellet
stoves will use anywhere from 90 watts to 300 watts while in operation. The stove will not operate
without power. If you live in an area that has power problems we recommend either a generator or a
battery back up system.
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Are there special requirements for mobile home installations?
The model you choose must be approved for use in a mobile home. The U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) makes additional requirements for solid fuel burning appliances
installed in mobile homes which are listed in stove manufacturers' installation instructions.
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What are the purposes of venting systems?
Proper venting is essential for proper appliance performance, dwelling safety, maintenance frequency
and indoor environment. Pellet stoves produce little or no visible smoke after startup, but exhaust
gases, fine ash and water vapor must be moved safely from the appliance to the outdoors without
leaking into the house. The purpose of all vents is to remove combustion by-products produced during
normal operation. For most designs, the exhaust is mechanical: a fan blows the combustion by-products
out and pulls air needed for combustion into the fire. A few stoves operate without a combustion air
fan and instead use natural draft both for exhaust and combustion air intake. Some heat also moves
through the vent, making protection of nearby combustibles essential. The minimum clearance between
the vent and combustibles, as specified in the vent installation instructions, must be met or exceeded
to assure safety.
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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 pipe; the stainless steel inner pipe that carries
the exhaust products is separated from the outer wall by an air space. Pipe joints must be sealed
gas tight to prevent exhaust products moving through the vent under pressure from leaking into the
home. Stoves tested and listed with PL vent requirements cannot safely be vented with substitute
materials.
Venting materials and products that MUST NOT BE USED TO VENT PELLET 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 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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What are my options for venting layout?
Mechanical Exhaust:
- Sidewall horizontal venting (Figure 9).
 Invariably 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 (see discussion of next question).
- Horizontal vent with backup vertical venting (see Figure 10).
 Preferred horizontal method that
avoids venting problems associated with unexpected appliance shutdown.
- 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 (see Figure 8). Stove manufacturers provide recommendations for
venting into masonry and factory-built chimneys, which may include partial or full chimney relining.
- 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.
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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: High 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 that extends above the roof and/or special termination
caps.
- Cleanout and Maintenance: The venting system must be designed with normal maintenance in mind.
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How should pellet venting components be assembled and joined together?
Appliance manufacturer's instructions should be followed closely regarding sealing joints and seams,
particularly of pressurized mechanical exhaust vents. It is imperative that they be gas tight so that
they cannot leak. Proper application of an approved sealant or sealing band is typically required.
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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What's a good starting point for learning to operate a pellet stove?
The rule here is "Before all else fails, read the instructions." Operating a pellet stove is not
difficult, but it is a new technology that calls for basic knowledge. Training videos accompany
some stoves, and hands-on demonstrations are offered by many dealers and installers.
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How do I start a fire?
Small dry fuel (pellets) and combustion air (provided by a fan on most designs) make startup easy.
Operating instructions accompanying the stove give the specific steps to follow. Manual ignition
stoves call for the owner to apply an approved gel or solid starter material (no liquids), light
the pellets, and monitor the fire to see that the fire catches and the flame gradually grows. On
automatic ignition stoves, pushing the start button feeds pellets to the burn pot and heats the
self-igniter device.
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What if the stove doesn't start properly?
A safety device monitors startup and stops fuel feed if operating temperatures are not reached
within a specified time period. If startup fails, the operator should first make sure that the
hopper has fuel and that fuel is feeding into the burn pot, and then attempt to restart the stove.
Repeated failed lighting cycles indicate the need for maintenance or professional service.
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What do I do after the stove starts?
After control panel or air inlet adjustments and a quick performance check, the stove is set to
provide hours of even, comfortable heat. Stoves equipped with a remote wall thermostat respond to a
set room air temperature by cycling on and off or by cycling from a low to high burn, depending on
stove startup design.
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What are signs of performance problems?
Properly operated and maintained pellet stoves experience few, if any, problems. Most pellet stove
operation is automatic, but sometimes combustion air adjustment is needed. A lazy, orange, sooty
flame or dark smoke coming out of the vent (after startup and before shutdown) may indicate the need
for more air. An overactive "blow torch" flame calls for less air. Performance problems are more
likely to be caused by neglected maintenance than by regular operation. Lazy flame, dark smoke, unusual
sooting of glass, unexplained smoke spillage and reduced heat output all point to the need for
maintenance of appliance components and/or the venting system, or for remedies for house
depressurization. Problems related to mechanical failure usually results in safety switches shutting
the appliance down. Appliance shutdowns may, however, indicate nothing more than owner forgetfulness
(empty hopper) or hurry (improper startup), or intermittent power failure. Unexplained, repeated
appliance shutdowns call for professional advice and service.
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How do I shut the stove down?
Shutting the stove down is typically a matter of simply setting the control to the Off position
according to operating instructions. The fuel feed stops delivering fuel right away, and after the
stove cools sufficiently, all motors and blowers cease operation. The stove should NOT be shut down
by unplugging the power cord.
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What happens in an unexpected shutdown such as a power outage or component failure?
Although fuel feed stops in a power outage, the pellets in the burn pot may continue to burn or
smolder.
The duration of this condition can vary with appliance design from a few minutes to an hour
or more. The resulting smoke and hot gases rise, seeking the path of least resistance. If the exhaust
vent does not have vertical sections to provide natural draft, smoke may spill into the home
(Figure 14).
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What are the routine things that I do to keep my stove working right?
Routine maintenance tasks are essential to peak stove performance:
- Burn pot (Figure 15):
 Checked daily and cleaned periodically to keep air inlets
open. Frequency of cleaning depends on fuel type, grade, and content.
- Ash drawer (see Figure 15): Emptying recommended before starting new fires and occasionally
during stove operation. Frequency depends on fuel and stove design. Typically once or twice a week,
but monthly in some new designs.
- Heat exchanger (Figure 16):
On some stoves, simply a matter of moving a rod that scrapes the tubes inside the stove. May require
professional service on others.
- Ash traps: Chambers located behind the fire chamber which prevent excess fly ash in the exhaust
from exiting the stove. Easily accessed for ash removal by owners in some designs; on others,
professional service is required.
- Glass: Cleaned with glass cleaner, when the glass is completely cool, on stoves with effective
air wash systems. May require more vigorous methods on others. Should the alignment be this way
(over to the right).
- Hopper: Checked for accumulated sawdust materials (fines). Fuel in the hopper and auger tube
should be emptied occasionally to prevent auger blockage by fines.
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What are some of the more advanced maintenance tasks?
Cleaning the venting system is usually performed by professionals (see below), but can be tackled by
the handy stove owner with thorough knowledge and the right equipment. Motors and fans need occasional
cleaning and may require lubrication. The wrong lubricant or wrong amount of lubricant can damage
components. Some components which call for removal for service require the replacement of a gasket.
Additionally, gaskets for the fire chamber door, ash pan door and hopper lid (on some designs) may
need occasional replacement to assure a tight seal.
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What professional maintenance and repair services will I need?
Most pellet stove owners depend on professional service for cleaning and preventive maintenance on at
least an annual basis. Many dealers offer service plans that offer reduced costs and convenient
scheduling. Cleaning and maintenance services usually performed include:
- Emptying ash traps and cleaning exhaust passages behind the fire chamber.
- Cleaning and lubricating fans and motors.
- Cleaning the hopper and fuel feed system.
- Cleaning the heat exchanger system.
- Cleaning exhaust pipes and resealing the venting system if needed.
- Verifying and adjusting the stove settings with proper gauges and meters.
- Mechanical and electric components may eventually wear out and need repair or replacement.
Many manufacturers now offer low-cost, high-value extended warranties on electrical components.
You can also benefit from professional advice that helps you improve stove performance and
convenience with operating tips or fuel information.
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What will I like about heating with pellets?
Experienced pellet burners reap rewards for shopping and planning carefully and learning to operate
and maintain their pellet heating system. They understand that pellet stoves contribute dramatic
improvement in convenience to the long tradition of the hearth. The fuel itself is easily and
cleanly stored and handled in bags. A single loading of a pellet stove can provide long hours of
warmth. Pellet stoves also provide a special comfort associated with wood burning. The combination
of fans delivering warm air currents and the direct comfort of radiant heat provides special
satisfaction on a cold winter day. The heat provided is even and constant, due to the automatically
regulated fuel feed responding to owner settings. Pellet stoves also offer strong environmental
benefits; pellets not only reduce dependence on finite supplies of fossils fuels like oil and gas,
but they also put to good use materials that would otherwise unnecessarily and expensively add to
our waste disposal problems. In addition, pellet stoves burn very cleanly and offer the lowest
emissions of unwanted pollutants of all solid fuel burning appliances. Burning biomass pellets
offers convenient heat delivered with environmental concern.
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