Installation of Pacific Energy Alderlea T6 Question

[kbcarolina]

I have ordered an Alderlea T6 and had the chimney installed and had the home inspector out today to look at this and some other plumbing and electrical work being done along with this project. I'm good to go for next steps!

BUT, I have a question:

I have the installation manual and they say that the minimum hearth pad is 36" but the inspector highlighted the 8" required on either end of the fuel loading door opening (page 12 if you have a T6 Manual). If the stove is 29.25" wide, then I'm having a hard time understanding how a hearth pad that is ONLY 36" will work. It just doesn't look like from the pictures that the fuel loading door opening is 5" less wide than the stove body, but perhaps it is...

I don't have the stove yet and my dealer is actually frustrating me today and I get the sense they're treating me like a stupid girl that doesn't know what I'm asking. They just keep telling me that 36" is the hearth pad width and I keep telling them that my inspector isn't going to measure that and we go round and round.

I can READ for myself the minimum spec is 36", but, at least in my state, it doesn't matter what the manual says if the inspector requires something and he pulled out his pink highlighter today and told me the measurement he cares about so why wouldn't I build to that since I know I won't pass inspection if he doesn't see what he wants on his little tape measure?

Anyway, I've searched far and wide and I can't seem to find how wide the fuel load door opening is. Can someone with a T6 be so kind as to tell me?? In order for the hearth pad to be 36" minimum width, I can guess that it must be 20" (36" - 2 x 8") but it would be GREAT to know that BEFORE the stone mason shows up to lay down my hearth.

Appreciate any help, thanks!

 

[BrotherBart]

Paging @begreen. Call in the lobby for Begreen.

 

[BrotherBart]

Quite possible that the opening in the front of the stove is five inches less than the width of the door. In fact almost guaranteed that it is. And with the iron cladding on the T6 steel firebox it is a slam dunk that it is.

 

[kbcarolina]

I can't imagine that it's not either because surely PE knows how to draw their own schematics....

It's just one of those things that I would LOVE to KNOW for SURE before applying mortar. I'm more than peeved at my dealer right now. Why can't they just measure the darn thing to make me happy? It would take 90 seconds.

So, for all the other newbies out there reading (this is my FIRST wood stove), I think the MOST IMPORTANT thing to pick in your first stove is the DEALER!! I read that advice several times as I was studying this forum all winter trying to pick my brand of stove. I actually liked the dealer when I went to the showroom, but everything since then -- walk through, installation, coordination and communication with my GC, getting this basic measurement out of them without being treated like a moron -- has been not so great. My GC and I just keep scratching our heads about the entire process so far.

I know I'll love my PE and I'll forget about all this hassle, but I expect I would have loved my #2 choice too from a different dealer who would have managed the project with my GC better.

I have actually been intending to post my experience and decision making process for other newbies -- most of it consolidated from many of the excellent posts on this form which were awesome and very helpful -- but I haven't had time with the construction and the "day job" but I will do so and hopefully with before and after pics. When I do, I'm definitely going to recommend picking the dealer first and then deciding the brand from their offering. A good relationship with the dealer, in my opinion, trumps the small differences between one stove and another for a first stove.

 

[mfetcho]

Hi kbcarolina,

I have a T6 and the door width is roughly 24". I don't have a manual in front of me, so I am a little confused about the 36" width. Width is usually side to side so the fuel door open wouldn't play a role. I might be missing something. I would be concerned about the amount of hearth in front of the stove. Did the inspector say how much hearth is required in front of the stove?

 

[kbcarolina]

36" is the minimum width of the hearth pad in the manual. But, the inspector wants to measure from the edge of the fuel door to the edge of the hearth pad and it has to be 8" on each side. In order for the math to work, the fuel loading door must be 20" wide. 20" door + 8" on Left + 8" on Right = the minimum 36" hearth pad width.... Hopefully, that answers your question.

Yes, the inspector covered that he does want 16" in the front, but that's clear in the manual and we knew that as well and planned for that in the build.

If the door is 24" and I have to have 8" on either side, it seems to me that the hearth pad would have to be 40". Um, I do realize that I don't know much about stoves, but I'm not too shabby at arithmetic and I really think my dealer should be able to help with this since it really seems like an easy and logical question. And, they have the manual to boot.

Anyway, I appreciate you taking the measurement. That's quite helpful. I think I'm just going to have my contractor make the hearth wider. It wasn't my plan because stone work is expensive, but I've been making some sketches and think I can work it out with a little extra width and then I'm covered.

 

[mfetcho]

I understand what you are saying. I think you should give more credit to yourself. You are doing what needs to be done to pass inspection. If they are the final call then that is what you do. You will likely appreciate a larger hearth anyway. More room to dry your boots! 40" makes sense to pass inspection.
BTW - The T6 is a great heater!

 

[Oldman47]

Welcome to the forum kbcarolina.
I am also new to this and the whole world of burning. I am in the process right now of getting my hearth right. I am using ceramic tile as ember protection rather than a manufactured pad so I have not faced ordering a pad. I did have an aha moment a few weeks back in my planning process when I started considering the new EPA rules and the fact that some day I will need to replace my stove. Things do wear out after all. I had been planning a minimal hearth until I got that insight. When it comes time to replace my stove I do not want to be in the position of only being able to fit one or two stoves. I decided to set up a wider and deeper space, by just a few inches, for my hearth so that when that day arrives I will have a wide field of stoves to choose from. In my case I was able to get there without too much impact on traffic flow patterns or furniture placement options so I went for it.

 

[zig]

I was taught by my Dad, always build bigger than you think and it's served me well for years. Making the inspector happy is the goal and you won't be sorry going bigger provided you have the space. Is there another dealer to talk to? Maybe yours needs to be reminded who writes the check.

 

[kbcarolina]

Yes, the GC is an "over builder" on a number of issues, so yes, that is put in to many of the decisions in the the project (more going on than just the stove installation).

We actually have a MUCH wider hearth than 36" because the design is asymmetrical. We're putting a wood storage cubby/cabinet on the left side of the stove and there is tons of space on the left for boots and tools and more wood and the like. The stove is not in the middle of the hearth pad, but off to the right side.

The 8" issue the inspector is concerned about is for the right side. I don't really have room to make the right side wider without encroaching on the space for the furniture. So, we have to potentially place the stove further left and then I wouldn't have as much wood storage. And they put the chimney in already so I'm not inclined to move things at this point. I have always felt certain that it was RIGHT and it would be OKAY because this ain't there first install, but there is no substitute for knowing for sure, so I asked the question. I probably wouldn't have been so frustrated yesterday but we'd already had several issues since they cashed my deposit check with this dealer and this was kind of a "last straw."

I made some sketches and measurements last night and think it's excellent advice to consider that I might have something else at some future date and to have some wiggle room for that potentiality, so thanks for reminding me of that. I think I can manage a little more on the right without too much trouble.

I did actually get a sketch this AM from my dealer explaining all that I wanted to know. I still think I shouldn't have been treated like a criminal for daring to ask how the 36" hearth pad would work under a 29 1/4" wide stove. I can see they don't measure for the outside edge from the picture in the manual, but it just doesn't make sense to me to assume anything when they can answer what I thought was a simple question and one that would take 90 seconds of measuring. They have my stove even! It's in their warehouse.

To Zig, who recommended another PE dealer -- I considered that but, alas, I've already paid for the stove and the chimney installation. The next nearest PE dealer is pretty far away so I'm more or less stuck with this one unless I go out of my way and incur more hassle, delay and expense. I'm glad I thought to come here because I figured I'd get faster, better advice I did! I even more strongly back those that have said on this forum that picking the dealer/installer is a good first step. For a newbie who has lots of questions this is very important -- particularly if your doing renovations that require a building permit and you need the "local" understanding of regulations and requirements. It's going to be FINE for me in the end and I'm confident that the end result will be awesome and I won't remember any of this, but major renovations are stressful enough so best to work with people that don't add to it if you can help it!

Okay, so here is what I learned about the T6 for those that also care to know:

Fuel load door is 19 1/8w x 11 h.
Glass size is 20 1/8w x 11 7/8 h -- slightly larger than door opening
Door knife edge to widest part of the stove is about 5" which, of course it HAD to be to fit on a 36" pad and what BrotherBart thought was a guarantee based on the construction. :D

Seriously people, was that so hard?

Greatly appreciate the help. Photos to come soon!!

 

[huauqui]

kbcarolina,
thanks for including the info/answer you received. Sorry you are frustrated with the installer. Please bring us an update and pics when it is all installed and running and you are enjoying the wonderful stove the T6 is. I am sure you will love it and this frustration will soon be forgotten.

 

[begreen]

FYI, the inside dimension of the T6 firebox opening is 18 5/8" wide by 11" high. The height is actually more like 9" as the air wash baffle is at the top of the opening. I'm on the afternoon shift here due to being on the west coast. If you need other measurements let me know.

 

[kbcarolina]

Yes, I'm sure I will love it too and all this will be long forgotten! :D

I am sure I picked the right/best stove for my specific needs, space, etc. but I may have a few more toe stubs until I'm happily burning... Ah, isn't major renovation FUN?!

 

[begreen]

No worries. When I put in our new chimney and stove it was after raising the house 3ft, removing a complete fireplace + chimney, rebuilding the house entry and replacing windows and floors. The stove was the easiest part!