Wood Stove Installation and Service

The parts of a stove installation

• The stove. A listed appliance with a manual that sets its requirements. The U.S. EPA certifies wood stoves for emissions, and the certification label is on the stove.
• Clearances. Minimum distances from the stove and pipe to walls, furniture and other combustibles, set by the manual. Listed heat shields can reduce some of them.
• Hearth protection. The non-combustible floor protection under and in front of the stove, sized as the manual specifies.
• Connector pipe. The pipe from the stove outlet to the chimney, with joints, slope and length kept within the manual's limits.
• The chimney. A masonry chimney with a suitable liner, or a listed factory-built chimney for stove use.

Our guide how a wood stove should be vented explains each in plain terms.

Choosing a stove

The EPA's Burn Wise program groups stoves by size, from small units for one room to large stoves for open or older homes, and describes catalytic and non-catalytic designs. A stove that is too large for the space tends to be run low and slow, which leads to more smoke and creosote. Bring your floor plan and the area you want to heat when you talk to a retailer.

Choose the stove with the chimney in mind. The stove's outlet size, the flue size and the chimney height all affect draft. A stove that works well on one chimney can struggle on another. This is one reason to have the chimney inspected before you buy.

How we assess it

For a new installation, we check the planned location, the floor and wall materials, and the chimney the stove will use. When the flue allows, a chimney camera checks its condition, and we measure it against the stove's outlet and the manual. When safe, we check the chimney top and attic or roof penetrations. For an existing stove, we look at the stove body, door and glass gaskets, baffle, connector and chimney.

Either way, you get our findings with photos before work is scheduled. If you have not bought the stove yet, see inspection before a new appliance.

Installation

1. Plan to the manualConfirm clearances, hearth size and connector route against the stove's installation instructions.
2. Prepare the chimneyClean and repair the chimney, and install a liner where the flue size or condition calls for one.
3. Set the stove and hearthPlace the hearth protection and position the stove at the required distances.
4. Connect and finishInstall the connector and cap, then go over operation with you.

Many towns require a permit and an inspection for stove installations. Requirements vary, so check with your local construction office. We tell you what the job involves before it is scheduled.

Servicing a stove you already have

Service usually combines cleaning with a check of parts that wear out:

• Door and glass gaskets that no longer seal
• Baffles and firebricks that are cracked or warped
• A catalytic combustor that is plugged or crumbling, on catalytic models
• Connector pipe that is rusted, loose or sagging

Replacement parts should be the ones the manufacturer specifies. See fireplace and wood stove cleaning for the cleaning side.

An annual check, usually with the chimney cleaning, catches worn parts before they cause trouble. A gasket that leaks lets in extra air, which makes the fire harder to control and burns more wood than needed.

Warning signs with a stove

• Smoke leaking around the door or pipe joints
• Discolored or hot walls behind the stove
• Glowing connector pipe or a roaring sound from the chimney
• Difficulty controlling the fire with the air control

Limitations

Some rooms cannot meet a stove's clearances without major changes. Some chimneys need relining or rebuilding before a stove can use them. Stoves without a manual or label are hard to install correctly because their required clearances are unknown.

Stoves in mobile or manufactured homes have their own requirements, and only stoves listed for that use should be installed in them. Tell us if your home is one of these when you submit a request.

Factory-built chimneys for stoves

When there is no masonry chimney where you want the stove, a listed factory-built chimney can be installed. These are insulated metal systems tested for use with solid-fuel appliances. They run through the ceiling and roof using the support, firestop and flashing parts made for that system. Mixing parts from different makers or using single-wall pipe through walls or ceilings is not acceptable. The chimney system's own manual sets clearances, heights and supports.

Next step

Request a stove assessment or service visit. Include the stove make and model if you have it. A team member will contact you to confirm a time.

Questions homeowners ask

Sources

1. U.S. EPA Burn Wise: Choosing the Right Wood-Burning Stove