New guy questions

[EbS-P]

Wood stoves are functional backup heat but they may not be the best option. If that’s all you are looking for I’ve given this some thought and am happy to share.

I just installed a Drolet Escape 1800i insert from Costco. It’s really seems quite large for my 3000sq ft house in the south. If we tied record low temps I’d be be glad to have that size. First break in fire today. I am very happy with the quality and value of the product. My DIY insert install cost 2000$. I spent two years shopping and this is the cheapest install I could have done. If I had to use connector pipe, support, boxes, and class A chimney it would have been more expensive.

Southern wood burners really need easy breathing stoves because we will want a fire on a 40-50 degree day. (It was 60 out today when I did my break in fire). So pay attention to minimum flue height in the manual.

 

[patriot07]

What is meant by "easy breathing stove"? You're the 2nd person to say that...

 

[patriot07]

Also what is an insert vs a stove?

 

[bholler]

What is meant by "easy breathing stove"? You're the 2nd person to say that...

Easy breathing is a stove that works well with lower draft

 

[bholler]

Also what is an insert vs a stove?

An insert is a stove made to go inside a fireplace. A stove is meant to be freestanding

 

[patriot07]

OK, I'd stick with an easy-breathing stove that is not too fussy on draft then. Drolet, Pacific Energy & Regency have stoves that will work on shorter 1 story chimneys. The Drolet 1800 or an HT3000 will work.

Be careful with the random guy. There's a lot that can be messed up if one has little experience with stove installs.

The roof is around 15'-16' tall where this is going so I imagine the chimney will be around 18'-20'. Would the Pleasant Hearth 2200 that qualifies for the tax credit work with a chimney that height?

 

[patriot07]

An insert is a stove made to go inside a fireplace. A stove is meant to be freestanding

That's what I figured. I don't have a fireplace so I'm doing stove or nothing. Thank you

 

[patriot07]

I understand woodstoves aren't very common in Texas. But your installer still needs to know what they are doing which means training equipment insurance etc. As a pro I can tell you $600 is low for that work if they are qualified

I'll make a few more calls to see what other installers are charging. He sounds like a country boy that does this for a living who has been doing it for a while...but I doubt he's been doing training or anything like that.

 

[patriot07]

I'm going to have to assume that the $600 is only the labor. Parts may be double that amount.

Yes he said if I buy the stove, he'd put it in for $600. I believe the $600 includes the stove pipes...maybe not?

 

[bholler]

Yes he said if I buy the stove, he'd put it in for $600. I believe the $600 includes the stove pipes...maybe not?

There is no way he can be supplying the proper pipe and doing the install for $600. It just isn't possible

 

[patriot07]

There is no way he can be supplying the proper pipe and doing the install for $600. It just isn't possible

What is the "proper pipe"? What kind of questions do I need to be asking?

Can't say thanks enough for the help. This is why I came to the forum

 

[armanidog]

You want a class A stainless steel double wall metal chimney. Several sites said it averages between $90-100 per foot (including labor) (not sure how old that data is).
Would this chimney be going through the roof or out the wall and then up?
You also need connector pipe from the stove to the chimney.
On this site is a good article on installing a wood stove:

Wood Stoves and Fireplaces - THE BASICS ON HOW TO INSTALL A WOOD BURNING STOVE

Installing a Woodstove - The Basics on How to Install a Wood Burning Stove. . The Chimney * Insulated Metal Chimney * Masonry Chimneys * Installing into an Existing Fireplace or Chimney The Stovepipe * Single Wall Stovepipe * Close Clearance Stovepipe Floor and Wall Protection *...

www.hearth.com

 

[patriot07]

It'll be going through the roof presumably. Could go out and up also if the installer would prefer that. Given that it's a metal roof and another hole would make for another leak possibility, I'd prefer the wall.

 

[bholler]

It'll be going through the roof presumably. Could go out and up also if the installer would prefer that. Given that it's a metal roof and another hole would make for another leak possibility, I'd prefer the wall.

Going out and up will cost atleast double for materials on a single story house

 

[stoveliker]

And is worse for draft (i.e. needs a higher stack for the same draft due to the elbows). Straight up and out is best. A person who knows what they are doing should have no issue with leaks.

 

[patriot07]

And is worse for draft (i.e. needs a higher stack for the same draft due to the elbows). Straight up and out is best. A person who knows what they are doing should have no issue with leaks.

The issue is our R panel roof. R pane isn't made for roof - it's made for siding. Going through it unnecessarily is asking for a puddle on your floor and discoloration on your ceiling.

 

[stoveliker]

There is a lot of r panel roofing out there. Granted the screws might be exposed, but it's not that uncommon. There are quite a few people here that have chimneys thru ribbed roofing panels like that.

 

[bholler]

The issue is our R panel roof. R pane isn't made for roof - it's made for siding. Going through it unnecessarily is asking for a puddle on your floor and discoloration on your ceiling.

By r panel you are talking about regular corregated steel roofing right? If so it's not a problem for someone who knows how to work with it.

 

[patriot07]

By r panel you are talking about regular corregated steel roofing right? If so it's not a problem for someone who knows how to work with it

Yes regular corrugated steel. Just talked to him. He said the $600 doesn't include materials, and that he recommends double wall stainless. Also doesn't include hearth. And he's worked with R panel a bunch.

 

[stoveliker]

Double wall for inside is a good recommendation. (Insulated) class A outside.

 

[patriot07]

So is 15'-16' considered short for a pipe run for a one-story? I'm considering the Pleasant Hearth because of the tax credit but want to make sure it will run ok. Having a stove that will work right is more important than a tax credit, but if they'll all run the same with a 15' pipe run then I'd obviously take the one at a big discount.

 

[EbS-P]

So is 15'-16' considered short for a pipe run for a one-story? I'm considering the Pleasant Hearth because of the tax credit but want to make sure it will run ok. Having a stove that will work right is more important than a tax credit, but if they'll all run the same with a 15' pipe run then I'd obviously take the one at a big discount.

No I thinks it’s about average IF there are no 90 or bends.

 

[armanidog]

So is 15'-16' considered short for a pipe run for a one-story? I'm considering the Pleasant Hearth because of the tax credit but want to make sure it will run ok. Having a stove that will work right is more important than a tax credit, but if they'll all run the same with a 15' pipe run then I'd obviously take the one at a big discount.

Look at the stove manual online and see what the chimney height needs to be.

 

[begreen]

So is 15'-16' considered short for a pipe run for a one-story? I'm considering the Pleasant Hearth because of the tax credit but want to make sure it will run ok. Having a stove that will work right is more important than a tax credit, but if they'll all run the same with a 15' pipe run then I'd obviously take the one at a big discount.

That should be ok for a straight-up install unless this is at a high altitude which is not likely in Dallas.

 

[patriot07]

No I thinks it’s about average IF there are no 90 or bends.

Thank you. Not expecting any 90 degree or bends as of right now.