Pellet Stove vent type and chimney clearance

Jon mackay · 03-16-2010, 05:41 AM

In this installation, the vent pipe for this pellet stove was enclosed within another black vent pipe. There was no way to verify the condition of the actual vent pipe. Is this installation acceptable?

The chimney was terminating at 33" above the roof peak. Because a pellet stove is a solid fuel appliance, it still needs to be at a minimum of 36" above the ridge, correct?

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**John Kogel** · 03-16-2010, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by Jon mackay

In this installation, the vent pipe for this pellet stove was enclosed within another black vent pipe. There was no way to verify the condition of the actual vent pipe. Is this installation acceptable?

The chimney was terminating at 33" above the roof peak. Because a pellet stove is a solid fuel appliance, it still needs to be at a minimum of 36" above the ridge, correct?

No, pellet stoves can be exhausted right out through the wall with a short gooseneck pipe, because the exhaust is much cooler and cleaner than for a woodstove. I can't say if the pipes you found there are correct or not. You need the manufacturer's installation manual for more info. Check online for a pdf.

**Matt Fellman** · 03-16-2010, 02:11 PM

That looks like some "Jimmy Wrigging" for sure - Ditto what John said about finding the manufacturer's specs. That's where the best info will come from.

What's with the pot of water on top? Do they really think that's going to get hot? It's like setting a kettle of water on top of a furnace. The heat isn't radiant (at least not that I've ever seen).

David Bell · 03-17-2010, 04:22 AM

Minimum 3 feet up thru roof and two feet above peak if peak is within ten feet, or two feet above roofline at ten feet away.

**Matt Fellman** · 03-17-2010, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by David Bell

Minimum 3 feet up thru roof and two feet above peak if peak is within ten feet, or two feet above roofline at ten feet away.

I'm curious where these numbers come from? Many pellet stoves are allowed to vent horizontally with little or no vertical rise.

David Bell · 03-17-2010, 06:59 PM

These numbers are for a manufactured chimney through the roof. Sidewall installs, when allowed, have different clearances.

**Jim Luttrall** · 03-17-2010, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Matt Fellman

What's with the pot of water on top? Do they really think that's going to get hot?

Humidifier

**Matt Fellman** · 03-17-2010, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Humidifier

I should have put a smiley... I was joking as the surfaces of the pellet stove don't get very hot. The heat is passed into the room through a heat exchanger.

The stove gets hot but not enough to vaporize much water. The pellet hopper is likely directly beneath that kettle and if the surface got hot enough to boil the water you'd have more to worry about than some dry air.... you'd have really dry air.... filled with smoke.

**Jim Luttrall** · 03-17-2010, 10:27 PM

I'm not that familiar with pellet stoves but have used various types of wood heaters and open pans of water. It is surprising just how much water evaporates from an open pan even if it is not hot. Just warm could easily put a quart or two of water into the air. Tea kettle, no but open topped pan will help.