A pellet stove can save money on heating and add a homey touch as well. (See the Pellet Stoves Buying Guide for information on choosing a stove.)

The instructions given here are for installing a freestanding pellet stove. If you are installing a pellet stove insert, which fits into a fireplace, it is best to hire a fireplace professional to clean the chimney, run the venting up through the chimney, and provide a waterproof storm collar and chimney cap at the top.

Stove dealers often offer installation for a reasonable cost, and local codes may require you to use a professional. But, if you are allowed to, installing a freestanding pellet stove is a job within the reach of a handy do-it-yourselfer.

Pellet stoves are very heavy. If you buy a large unit, you may have trouble moving it even with a helper or two and a heavy-duty handcart. Consult with your dealer. It may be best to install the hearth pad and cut the hole for the vent first and then have the dealer deliver the stove to the site.

If you do hire a professional installer, be sure that the stove is vented according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and local code requirements. The installer may want to simply poke the vent out a wall, but the stove will work better if the vent makes a turn upward and extends above the eaves.

Running the vent is the most difficult part of the installation, so plan the vent path before you begin. The most common method is to run the vent out through an exterior wall. If that is not possible, you can run the vent up through the roof. In this case, you may want to hire a roofer to install a code-approved roof jack through which the pipe will run. The jack must be installed and flashed so there are no leaks.

A pellet stove is typically installed just 1 to 2 inches away from a rear wall, but you can install it farther out if you like. The vent can travel out the back of the stove through the wall, making it inconspicuous if not nearly invisible.

Install a code-approved hearth pad for the stove to rest on. The pad should extend at least 6 inches in front of the stove and several inches out on each side. You can make a pad yourself by laying down concrete backerboard topped with tile, or by setting down a large stone slab. Or you can purchase a pre-made pad from your stove supplier. The pad can be set right on top of the flooring or even carpeting.

Consult your product literature to determine the correct height of the hole for the vent. Use a stud finder to make sure the hole will run between studs. In most cases, you will need to cut a hole that is 10 inches in diameter.

Use a hand saw to cut through the inside drywall first, and then use a reciprocating saw or jigsaw to cut through the outside siding. Install a thimble—a sleeve through which the vent will travel—into the hole. Connect 3-inch double-walled vent pipe to the stove and run it through the thimble to the outside. Outside, Install a cleanout for removal of the ashes and install an elbow and run the vent vertically above the eaves. Use a strap to secure the vent against the eave and add a rain cap.

Just plug the unit into a standard 120-volt receptacle and it’s ready for use.