A pellet stove should be installed by a wood stove installer
Besides their streamlined, modern profile, pellet stoves offer a cleaner-burning way to enjoy the cozy benefits of a fireplace. Pellet fireplaces burn renewable fuel made from compressed ground wood waste (or sawmill waste products) and produce less CO2 emissions during operation. Because pellet fireplaces have a more complex set-up and need an additional energy source, such as electricity or batteries, you'll want to hire a professional to get it fired up for the first time. Learn more about pellet stove installation and the type of professional who can get the job done for you.
The best person to hire to install a pellet stove is a wood stove company near you. Big-box stores that sell stoves may also offer installation services, but they may not be as seasoned as pros from a wood stove company. Some HVAC technicians have the expertise to install a pellet stove, but you should reach out to a dedicated wood stove company first.
To decide if installing a pellet stove is worth it, you first need to know exactly how much of your home it will heat. The amount of heat produced by a heater of any kind is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU). In general, 4,000 BTU can heat 200 square feet in a home. Pellet stoves produce anywhere from 8,000 to 90,000 BTUs, whereas gas and wood-burning stoves typically have higher minimum BTUs.
Before making any big purchases, double-check with the manufacturer to guarantee the pellet stove you pick has enough power to heat your abode sufficiently. If it doesn’t, a pellet stove may still be a suitable addition to another kind of heating system in place, like an electric furnace or a mini-split system.
The more BTUs a pellet stove has, the higher the price will be. You can expect to pay between $800 and $1,200 for a small stove that will heat 400 square feet and $5,000 or more for one that will warm up an entire 3,000 square-foot house.
| Size in BTUs | Cost |
|---|---|
| 8,000–9,000 | $800–$1,200 |
| 15,000–20,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| 30,000–50,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| 50,000+ | $5,000+ |
For an optimal installation process that includes expert handling of all of the steps and safety checks, a fireplace or wood stove installer is better equipped to do this project than the homeowner. Here are some additional benefits of hiring a pellet stove installer:
Pellet stoves are heavy, so professional install assistance can help move them into place without the risk of injury.
Proper installation is an important component of taking advantage of the stove’s energy-efficiency properties.
Correct ventilation is necessary for any type of stove, and a wood stove installer can ensure that air is redirected the right way out of your home.
A pellet stove can be installed as a free-standing stove or a stove insert designed to fit inside your fireplace opening. Pellet stoves can be added to your heating system or used as the primary heat source—pellet stoves produce between 9,000 and 90,000 Btu per hour, which can heat an average-size home.
The installation cost for a freestanding pellet stove ranges from $200 to $850. The final cost depends on how much vent work is needed, like adding a short horizontal vent or a ceiling vent or any possible HVAC replacements. Expect to pay about $35 to $55 per hour for a wood stove installer to complete the job. For a freestanding pellet stove, the unit itself can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000.
Another option is to install a pellet stove insert for around $2,000. A pro can insert the unit into an existing fireplace and use the chimney as a vent. However, expect to pay for a chimney liner, which averages $625 to $7,000. For a pellet stove insert, the unit can cost between $2,000 and $6,000.
While this installation theoretically can be a DIY project, it is very technical and requires specialized expertise. Failure to install the pellet stove properly can also result in safety risks and fire hazards.
Some state or local county codes require professional installation. You should also check with your insurance company to determine if you need any specific permits or inspections before or after installation.
Because pellet stove maintenance is similar to chimneys and requires a ventilation solution, a chimney service can help install a pellet stove. Chimney sweeps can also provide annual inspection and servicing of your pellet stove, which averages $130 to $200. You can also find out how to hire a housekeeper who can perform regular cleanings of the stove itself.
To install your new freestanding pellet stove, a professional wood stove installer will complete the following steps:
Determine the location of the stove.
Place the stove on a hearth pad.
Set up the ventilation system to the exterior of your home.
Insulate the area around the vent pipe.
Install an intake vent.
Connect the stove to an electrical outlet.
