I have a zero clearance Heatilator HB36A, 20 years installed. Located a Breckwell P241 pellet insert. It is approved for installing in ZC fireplace. I plan on running a 4" insulated vent pipe thru existing 6" vent to top of chimney with cap. Is this to code in PA. ? Not sure who to ask . Heatilator rep. said " doesn't sound like a good idea". I am looking for a more definite answer . I already purchased the insert, afraid it would be gone at the price. Now I might be selling it ? Any information would be appreciated , good or bad. Thanks
Pellet insert- Zero clearance fireplace
- Thread starter kinard
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This unit doesn't have 6" vent. It has SL300 Series which is an 8" ID vent. You might wanna talk to your local building inspector to get his input. This unit has been only tested for burning cord wood or vented gas logs, not a pellet burning insert.
Mt Bob
Minister of Fire
Your going to add an insulated pipe setup to the inside of another insulated pipe.Call local inspector,should not be a problem.If orignal chimney(pipe) passes inspection he may allow you to use a flex liner.
railfanron
Minister of Fire
I have a Heat and Glow fireplace insert with an 8" chimney and I put a Harmon P43 in front of it with a 4" flex liner up the chimney. Perfectly acceptable here in Michigan. Flex liner is easier and cheaper to install. Shouldn't be any need to have it insulated as the 8" liner already has an air space or insulation designed as a class 1 chimney. I did put insulation on the bottom and top foot to create an air stop so I don't lose any heat from the house.
Ron
Ron
Your installation sounds very similar to mine. I had an old Preway ZC wood burning fireplace with an 8" ID insulated flue pipe. I ran 4" rigid PL vent up through my fireplace flue and installed a pellet insert in the fire box. I checked with my building inspector and he said as long as I followed the pellet stove manufacturer's guidelines, it was fine. I live in NH though so our codes for these installation are not as strict as some other states, like MA.
That is fine to put a pellet insert in a prefab fireplace and run flex liner to the top in chimney. Just think, you have wiring and a hopper full of pellets between the burn chamber and prefab firebox. A fire in the fireplace puts off many hundred degrees. Your pellet stove is only going to be 100-200 degrees on the back side with a flue gas temp of 400 or less. Plus you are adding yet another liner to the insulated chimney you already have.
Thanks to all for input . I now have a call into commonwealth code inspection services for information.
The heatilater unit has 1" thick fire brick panels, 2 on the sides,1in the back. They have to come out for the insert to fit in it. I guess that is the main issue. Any thoughts on this. Thanks
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