Zero clearence pellet stove chimney options

[Joey15]

We recently purchased a Breckwell P24I pellet insert that we're ready to put in but we're wondering about the best way to do the chimney. We wanted to go with a Duravent Pelletvent 3"x60" Double Wall Chimney and go all the way up the zero clearance chimney and strap that to the wall.. what are my options to be able to strap the chimney pipe to the wall but make it possible to clean out without any issues ? What's our best chimney option ?

Thank you!
Joey

 

[bholler]

We recently purchased a Breckwell P24I pellet insert that we're ready to put in but we're wondering about the best way to do the chimney. We wanted to go with a Duravent Pelletvent 3"x60" Double Wall Chimney and go all the way up the zero clearance chimney and strap that to the wall.. what are my options to be able to strap the chimney pipe to the wall but make it possible to clean out without any issues ? What's our best chimney option ?

Thank you!
Joey

Ok first off what fireplace is this insert going into and what chimney is it hooked to

 

[Joey15]

Ok first off what fireplace is this insert going into and what chimney is it hooked to

It's a zero clearance fireplace or "prefab". It previously had an old majestic wood burning fireplace in it that we have taken out. The box is currently empty. Currently don't have a chimney pipe purchased yet so i'm looking to see what my options are.

 

[bholler]

It's a zero clearance fireplace or "prefab". It previously had an old majestic wood burning fireplace in it that we have taken out. The box is currently empty. Currently don't have a chimney pipe purchased yet so i'm looking to see what my options are.

So you pulled the fireplace out and now just have a framed opening???

You need an insert without a fireplace. You have no options to install this unit in this way at all.

 

[Joey15]

So you pulled the fireplace out and now just have a framed opening???

You need an insert without a fireplace. You have no options to install this unit in this way at all.

I removed the fireplace insert, what was i supposed to do ? Put a pellet stove insert inside a fireplace insert ?

 

[bholler]

I removed the fireplace insert, what was i supposed to do ? Put a pellet stove insert inside a fireplace insert ?

No you put an insert in a fireplace. You no longer have a fireplace you removed it.

 

[BrotherBart]

We need a picture of this fireplace.

 

[kennyp2339]

Just to clarify what Bholler is saying - a masonry fireplace (one made of brick & mortar) that is properly built can have a wood burning insert installed for better efficiency, they can also have a pellet insert installed for the same.
A zero clearance fireplace is essentially a metal prefabricated box that is installed in a wooden framed box that then has a metal chimney in chase for venting, many of these types of fireplaces are built with newer cons and made for solely ambience, these units are not of the best quality, and actually some have in the owners manual warnings about continuous burning in the appliance.
Either way, when dealing with a zero clearance unit they are typically not built or tested to have any type of insert installed into them, some zero clearance metal chimney's aren't rated for solid fuel heating (not class a pipe)
What to do if you encounter this? you can rip everything out, build a new alcove with hearth (to the stoves listed clearances) and go from there, you can seal the hole into the wood frame box and install the pellet stove in front of the unit.
Unfortunately what you cant do is install a pellet insert into a wooden framed hole, you also cannot install a pellet insert rest on a piece of masonry unless that masonry is 8" thick (masonry fireplaces are built like this no meet clearance codes)
You may want to return the pellet insert and pick up a free standing stove and go from there, again I'm saying that on the belief that you have just a zero clearance fire place, not a masonry built one.

 

[bholler]

Just to clarify what Bholler is saying - a masonry fireplace (one made of brick & mortar) that is properly built can have a wood burning insert installed for better efficiency, they can also have a pellet insert installed for the same.
A zero clearance fireplace is essentially a metal prefabricated box that is installed in a wooden framed box that then has a metal chimney in chase for venting, many of these types of fireplaces are built with newer cons and made for solely ambience, these units are not of the best quality, and actually some have in the owners manual warnings about continuous burning in the appliance.
Either way, when dealing with a zero clearance unit they are typically not built or tested to have any type of insert installed into them, some zero clearance metal chimney's aren't rated for solid fuel heating (not class a pipe)
What to do if you encounter this? you can rip everything out, build a new alcove with hearth (to the stoves listed clearances) and go from there, you can seal the hole into the wood frame box and install the pellet stove in front of the unit.
Unfortunately what you cant do is install a pellet insert into a wooden framed hole, you also cannot install a pellet insert rest on a piece of masonry unless that masonry is 8" thick (masonry fireplaces are built like this no meet clearance codes)
You may want to return the pellet insert and pick up a free standing stove and go from there, again I'm saying that on the belief that you have just a zero clearance fire place, not a masonry built one.

I was under the impression the fireplace had already been removed

 

[kennyp2339]

I was under the impression the fireplace had already been removed

Affirmative - but just incase the op wanted to re-install the zero-clearance unit it would be best to say that its not going to work ahead of time to save time and money.
Hopefully the guy just used the wrong words to describe what he was trying to do and he has a true masonry fireplace and he just removed the heatilator or surround.

 

[bholler]

Affirmative - but just incase the op wanted to re-install the zero-clearance unit it would be best to say that its not going to work ahead of time to save time and money.
Hopefully the guy just used the wrong words to describe what he was trying to do and he has a true masonry fireplace and he just removed the heatilator or surround.

You are right in most cases it is against code to install an insert in a zc fireplace anywau

 

[Joey15]

Just to clarify what Bholler is saying - a masonry fireplace (one made of brick & mortar) that is properly built can have a wood burning insert installed for better efficiency, they can also have a pellet insert installed for the same.
A zero clearance fireplace is essentially a metal prefabricated box that is installed in a wooden framed box that then has a metal chimney in chase for venting, many of these types of fireplaces are built with newer cons and made for solely ambience, these units are not of the best quality, and actually some have in the owners manual warnings about continuous burning in the appliance.
Either way, when dealing with a zero clearance unit they are typically not built or tested to have any type of insert installed into them, some zero clearance metal chimney's aren't rated for solid fuel heating (not class a pipe)
What to do if you encounter this? you can rip everything out, build a new alcove with hearth (to the stoves listed clearances) and go from there, you can seal the hole into the wood frame box and install the pellet stove in front of the unit.
Unfortunately what you cant do is install a pellet insert into a wooden framed hole, you also cannot install a pellet insert rest on a piece of masonry unless that masonry is 8" thick (masonry fireplaces are built like this no meet clearance codes)
You may want to return the pellet insert and pick up a free standing stove and go from there, again I'm saying that on the belief that you have just a zero clearance fire place, not a masonry built one.

Thank you for the response. So far i had one fireplace dealer come to my house to look at it and he looked at the manual saying there's plenty of clearance for the insert. The zero clearance box is approximately 35" deep and 6ft wide by 25ft tall which more than clears the pellet stove insert's recommendations. The only thing that needs to be done is concrete has to be poured on the base since it's currently wood.

The insert is rated for zero clearance and not just masonry in case i didn't mention that.

That said, how do i go about getting a hold of somebody in my area that's aware of what's code and what isn't ?

 

[bholler]

Thank you for the response. So far i had one fireplace dealer come to my house to look at it and he looked at the manual saying there's plenty of clearance for the insert. The zero clearance box is approximately 35" deep and 6ft wide by 25ft tall which more than clears the pellet stove insert's recommendations. The only thing that needs to be done is concrete has to be poured on the base since it's currently wood.

The insert is rated for zero clearance and not just masonry in case i didn't mention that.

That said, how do i go about getting a hold of somebody in my area that's aware of what's code and what isn't ?

Yes i see your insert is rated to go into a zero clearance fireplace. But the zero clearance fireplace also has to be rated to have your insert installed in it.

Can you be clear on this. Did you remove the fireplace? All you have now is a wood framed opening correct?

If that is correct there is no way you can install your insert following the manual. Because that manual calls for the insert to be installed into a fireplace. And if an installer said it would be ok do not let them back in your house because they have no clue what they are doing.

 

[bholler]

What "recomendations" are you referring to for the insert?

 

[kennyp2339]

manual- https://woodstovepro.com/store/pdf/BreckwellP24OwnersManual.pdf

I think I better understand this now, @Joey15 yes your on the right track, the install your doing is what the manual call "built ins" and the manual states that you need to make a hearth using 8" hollow blocks topped with a continuous top sheet (non combustible) so think hardy board then tiled with continuous grout so no embers can fall between the cracks. The side clearances to a combustible wall are 5"
Since this is a powered vent you can either vent horizontally (kit) or vertically (kit) with the vertical vent you will probably use more pipe since your saying you have a 26ft chase, now pellet vent needs to be installed a minimum of 3" clearance from combustibles, and you should factor in installing a second pipe for "outside air connection" so you burning out door air and not indoor air as the manual eludes to.
As far as installers, please make sure they are csia certified and you pull all required permits and have all required inspections.

 

[kennyp2339]

Also can we please have this thread moved to the pellet mill? @begreen

 

[bholler]

manual- https://woodstovepro.com/store/pdf/BreckwellP24OwnersManual.pdf

I think I better understand this now, @Joey15 yes your on the right track, the install your doing is what the manual call "built ins" and the manual states that you need to make a hearth using 8" hollow blocks topped with a continuous top sheet (non combustible) so think hardy board then tiled with continuous grout so no embers can fall between the cracks. The side clearances to a combustible wall are 5"
Since this is a powered vent you can either vent horizontally (kit) or vertically (kit) with the vertical vent you will probably use more pipe since your saying you have a 26ft chase, now pellet vent needs to be installed a minimum of 3" clearance from combustibles, and you should factor in installing a second pipe for "outside air connection" so you burning out door air and not indoor air as the manual eludes to.
As far as installers, please make sure they are csia certified and you pull all required permits and have all required inspections.

Aha the manual i was looking at didnt contain that info it must have been an old one

 

[bholler]

Thank you for the response. So far i had one fireplace dealer come to my house to look at it and he looked at the manual saying there's plenty of clearance for the insert. The zero clearance box is approximately 35" deep and 6ft wide by 25ft tall which more than clears the pellet stove insert's recommendations. The only thing that needs to be done is concrete has to be poured on the base since it's currently wood.

The insert is rated for zero clearance and not just masonry in case i didn't mention that.

That said, how do i go about getting a hold of somebody in my area that's aware of what's code and what isn't ?

I am very sorry to have given you innacurate info. I was looking at a manual for your insert that didnt have that info in it. Again i am sorry.

 

[begreen]

Also can we please have this thread moved to the pellet mill? @begreen

Still waiting for some pictures of the current state of the fireplace.

 

[Joey15]

Still waiting for some pictures of the current state of the fireplace.

Apologies i'm currently not at the house, i only have one picture of when we worked on getting it out. We didn't want to take the siding off the rear of the unit to remove the fireplace nor did we want to remove the brick in the front to remove it so we ended up cutting it out. The added picture shows the state before removing the very top and chimney pipe... the house had a chimney leak for quite some time that went unnoticed by the previous owner(s) thus the fireplace was rusted out but the wood is still in good shape. But it might give you an idea.

manual- https://woodstovepro.com/store/pdf/BreckwellP24OwnersManual.pdf

I think I better understand this now, @Joey15 yes your on the right track, the install your doing is what the manual call "built ins" and the manual states that you need to make a hearth using 8" hollow blocks topped with a continuous top sheet (non combustible) so think hardy board then tiled with continuous grout so no embers can fall between the cracks. The side clearances to a combustible wall are 5"
Since this is a powered vent you can either vent horizontally (kit) or vertically (kit) with the vertical vent you will probably use more pipe since your saying you have a 26ft chase, now pellet vent needs to be installed a minimum of 3" clearance from combustibles, and you should factor in installing a second pipe for "outside air connection" so you burning out door air and not indoor air as the manual eludes to.
As far as installers, please make sure they are csia certified and you pull all required permits and have all required inspections.

That's the one, thank you for the advice. The previous insert/box/fireplace had an air unit on the side so we're planning on using that and the bottom hearth will be extended with 4" hollow concrete blocks and a cement board as the manual states.

I am very sorry to have given you innacurate info. I was looking at a manual for your insert that didnt have that info in it. Again i am sorry.

That's okay, i thought i was going coo coo for a moment there or simply not explaining myself properly. Thank you for the responses!

 

[BrotherBart]

Next time there please get us a pic. And hopefully after you pull the fiberglass out we will see bricks. Not framing wood.

 

[kennyp2339]

Next time there please get us a pic. And hopefully after you pull the fiberglass out we will see bricks. Not framing wood.

This pellet insert install is throwing us wood burners off big time, the pellet insert allows for a "built-in" install, essentially you can take an existing clothing closet, build a hearth using 8" hollow concrete blocks and as long as you keep the clearances listed in the manual, your good to go.