PE Alderlea T5 Instalation begins

[Jayl65]

Hi everyone from beautiful Santa Fe,NM. I trolled the forum last winter and finally broke down and purchased the Pacific Energy Alderlea T5 in Black enamel after much research. I got a good deal at the local Ace Hardward store. Go figure. Anyway I was busy working away all winter last year and lost track of time this summer so now its time to start the install of the stove. I had two estimates last winter for the install that ranged from around $1200 for pipe chimney and instalation to $5000 for complete installation including the demolition of my existing fireplace and installation.

First off. I have a lovely fauxdobe Kiva style corner gas fireplace. It consist of 2x4's and drywall skim coated with a faux plaster treatment. Pic below. The current fireplace is a builder grade Heatilator with a blower. My intent is to demolish the kiva for the most part but I would love to preserve some of the southwestern design.

I purchased the T5 instead of an insert because I wanted to have the ability to cook in case of a power outage or the Zombie apocalypse. Im stuck on the design right now. I want to put a flagstone floor down and use stacked stone on the bottom around the curved platform and on the sides behind where the stove will live. Im afraid of taking the stone all the way to the ceiling as I don't want to make the corner to heavy. My original thought was to keep the kiva design and just remove the mantel part and carry the cut out where the stove would be up and make an arch about 15 inches from the ceiling. Im trying to avoid completely taking out the kiva since I didnt want to have to patch drywall and deal with the matching the ceiling. I realize the simplest solution would be to remove the entire structure and start over. I just havent let go of the southwestern look yet. I do want it to blend in with the rest of the house. Also it will be the focal point of the living room. I think I can meet the clearances needed if I use double wall pipe.

I've decided to do the complete install myself as the quotes I got were crazy and so far none of the installers want to deal with it. They all tell me just to rip it all out and start over. Which I may do. I'm sure I can do it myself for less than $5000. LOL. Ill try to post a drawing of what I have in mind but for right now the picture will at least let everyone see what Im dealing with. Any input would be greatly appriciated.

My dream design would be a sophisticated rustic corner kitchen with stone and wood accents. I will be using real stone veneer and thick wood beams for shelfs. If the stone doesn't go all the way to the ceiling and I can keep part of the kiva design at the top I want to refinish it with a plaster finish like American clay or venetian plaster. I've already spoken to a local blacksmith and I can get a custom wood rack and tools forged for less than buying mass produced retail. Think a southwestern version of a Disney Cinderella kitchen or Italian farmhouse.

I'll be burning primarily pine, juniper,piñon and cottonwood. Hence the non cat Alderlea T5. I don't consider it my main source of heat but it would be great if I could move that direction. The house is 7 years old, 1500 sq ft and well insulated. I will be buying wood but we have several reliable sources here with well seasoned wood. I did purchase a moister meter so I can check before I purchase. I'll be posting pics of my progress and look forward to any input you guys might have.

 

[USMC80]

Cool, looking forward to the pics

 

[begreen]

It looks like it is going to be tight, both for the hearth and ceiling clearances. I suspect you are going to need to take the faux kiva out completely. How tall is the ceiling in that corner?

 

[Jayl65]

It looks like it is going to be tight, both for the hearth and ceiling clearances. I suspect you are going to need to take the faux kiva out completely. How tall is the ceiling in that corner?

The ceiling is 9' and the hearth is about 1' high now. So 8' from hearth to ceiling. It is pretty tight. Im sure thats why everyone has been telling me to take it all out.

 

[madison]

Don't overlook that there is a top of stove to ceiling clearance of 55" (T5 is ~ 30" high) - which is down on page 10 in the manual. As well as mantel clearances. If you keep the radius hearth, the front of stove clearance looks tight -- but maybe I am misinterpreting the design concepts and changes....

 

[Jayl65]

Sorry for the elementary drawing but I think you can get the idea of what I would like to go for. I realize the scale is off but at least you can get the idea.

 

[Jayl65]

I just realized that I didn't indicate any clearances or that I would use two 45 degree elbows. I need 28" from the center of the stove to the wall if it is in an alcove. Or 4" from the back corners of the stove if it is in a corner install. Im confused as to which installation this would be as it seems to me it would be a combo of both.

 

[Jayl65]

So I started to dismantle the existing gas insert and I made a hole to investigate. I found that the chimney had never been connected at the elbow as long as I've owned the house. We've been living here for 6 years and purchase the place new. We could never use the gas fireplace because it made the closet next to it like an oven. We had a home warranty service call and they said it was fine. Now I find this. Its a wonder we didnt burn the house down.

I have an existing hearth that is made of 2x4's and particle board. I want to put 2" flag stone on top. Do you think it will be enough support? Or should I take it all away and make the hearth out of concrete block? The stove is a T5 and weights apx 450lbs.

 

[Jayl65]

 

[begreen]

YIKES That is scary. I am so glad that you chose not to depend on that unit for heat.

 

[PapaDave]

After seeing that, I'd tear out the whole thing and redo it the correct way myself.
Check all CTC's for the T-5 as well as hearth requirements before merely putting down some flagstone.
Here's some info from a good sourcebroken link removed to http://www.chimneysweeponline.com/cpacaldert5.htm)
Scroll to the bottom for install manual from PE.

 

[Jayl65]

Im good on my clearances to combustables. My concern right now is if the existing hearth will adequately support the weight of the stove and flagstone. I feel like I should put masonry block supports under where the legs of the stove will go. As of now it only has one layer of particle board on the wooden frame. I would add cement backer board and then the flagstone.

 

[Jayl65]

I just checked my clearances again. Im good on the sides and back. On the front I'll be about 5" short. The floor of the house in concrete slab with porcelain tile.

 

[Jayl65]

Getting closer. Need to finish the stone veneer and take out the old chimney from the gas insert. The brown paper is the placement of the stove. It's tight but I got all of my clearances.

 

[JayD]

Going to look nice!

 

[Jayl65]

Going to look nice!

Thanks JD,
I'm not a stone mason so its taken forever to do the work. My problem now is getting a ceiling support into the tight space. I will be installing
duratech pipe with a close clearance box. Pics to follow.

 

[Jayl65]

I got the stonework finished about 2 months ago. I had to leave again on a job so this is the point I stopped. Headed back home next week to finish the install. I need to remove the old chimney for the gas insert and center the new chimney pipe. This project has been going on since last year. I cant wait to get it finished.

 

[mstoelton]

That is going to look really nice when finished. Can't wait to see it!

 

[madison]

cool

 

[Jayl65]

I finally finished the install last year and never got around to post any pics of the finished job. Here it is.

 

[begreen]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how that turned out and now I see. Fantastic! Looks like a genuine fire temple. Enjoy the warmth this winter.

 

[Jayl65]

Thanks for the update. I was wondering how that turned out and now I see. Fantastic! Looks like a genuine fire temple. Enjoy the warmth this winter.

Thanks begreen. It took a while since I did it myself and had to wait until I had help to get the stove up there on the hearth. Also the corner install was a challenge but I met all of my clearances and Im happy. I had to offset the chimney because there was a rafter where the pipe needed to be. I wish the pipe could have been straight all the way. Hopefully it will inspire people searching for a corner installation.

 

[SabrinaNM]

Jayl65,
That looks fantastic! My husband and I are in Albuquerque and would like to do something similar with a kiva fireplace in our new house. It just provides no heat and we'd like to put in a wood stove. Did you run into any particular problems when you tore out the old kiva? Also, was that $5000 quote you got just for the demolition, or was it more?

 

[MaintenanceMan]

Beautiful! Love those Alderleas.