Pellet stoves require sufficient ventilation as mandated by local codes. Doing so will also help reduce gas emissions from lingering within spaces. But is it possible to vent a pellet stove through a basement window? We researched for your convenience and here’s what we found.
Homes can have their pellet stoves vented through their basement windows. But homeowners need to follow fire code guidelines and restrictions to promote safety during pellet stove use. For instance, some codes require basement windows to have at least 12-inch clearances for the vents.
Failure to follow the rules associated with pellet stove venting can lead to expensive charges. Keep reading as we talk about these requirements in greater detail. We’ll also discuss the steps to install a pellet stove and vent it to a basement window properly.
What Are Pellet Stove Venting Requirements?
Homeowners need to follow local fire code restrictions before venting their pellet stoves. Many of these products generally have venting guidelines in their owner's manuals. For example, Harman Stoves writes the following items for their pellet stoves:
- Venting clearance needs to be at least 12 inches
- If venting through a window or a door, these entryways need to have opening widths of at least 48 inches below, 48 inches to the side, and 12 inches above.
- The pellet stove’s vent must be at least 3 feet away from a gas meter or regulator setup.
- The vent outlet’s service regulator requires a minimum of 6 feet for its clearance.
- Inside and outside corner clearances need to be 11 and 12 inches from the pipe.
Other requirements may include permitting pellet stoves to vent through balconies, decks, porches, and verandas if these areas have at least two sides beneath their floors. Additionally, the installation of a listed horizontal termination cap might be necessary for vertical venting.
Check out this horizontal termination cap on Amazon.
You might also be wondering about the requirements of installing a fireplace in a basement. If so, read our post on that topic to gain more information about that matter.
Can You Run A Pellet Stove Pipe Out A Window?
It’s possible to vent a pellet stove through a window. Some households may create the setup by placing the heating unit in their basements and venting it through the spaces’ windows. But as mentioned in the previous section, property owners need to follow strict rules and regulations for the system to work.
Failure to follow those guidelines may result in expensive charges. Lot owners that don’t follow local fire prevention codes in installing and using their pellet stoves should expect to pay about $100 to $2,500 in fines.
Furthermore, pellet stoves typically release hazardous gases. Significant exposure to the released fumes like carbon monoxide may cause health issues, such as dizziness, headache, lethargy, vomiting, and chest pain.
How To Install A Pellet Stove Vent Through A Basement Window?
It’s advisable to use a dolly to bring the pellet stove to the installation area. A decently-sized unit is still quite heavy and you may need to move a model that’s about 300 pounds. Also, ensure that you understood your local fire codes before proceeding with this operation.
Moreover, you may need to install protection on your basement floor. A reasonably large, thick, and sturdy base should have sufficient durability to carry the pellet stove's weight.
Without this piece, the weight of the appliance might crack or dent the main flooring. Since you’re going to vent this pellet stove near a basement window, you don’t have to drill holes through the walls.
Once you took care of the necessary preparations, you can proceed with this project:
What You’ll Need
- Silicone caulk
- Drill driver
- Wall thimble
- Pellet stove kit
Step-by-Step Guide
- Move the pellet stove to its designated area in the basement.
- Remove one glass pane from the basement window and replace it with Plexiglass or an acrylic sheet. This new component should have a snug fit against the window frame.
- Drill a pilot hole at the center of the Plexiglass or acrylic sheet.
- Measure the radius of the wall thimble with a compass.
- Use the compass and mark the cut line on the Plexiglass or acrylic sheet.
- With a reciprocating saw, cut the Plexiglass or acrylic sheet while following the drawn line. Remember to use the pilot hole as the center of the cut.
- Install the wall thimble with the two sides facing inside and outside respectively.
- Seal the wall thimble with silicone caulk.
- Connect the vent pipe from the pellet stove to the wall thimble. Ensure that the pipe will jut from the thimble’s exterior area slightly.
- Drill a hole through a nearby location in the basement’s wall. Insert the combustion pipe through that new opening.
- Seal this hole with silicone caulk.
- Attach the pellet stove to the vent and combustion pipes.
You can also watch the video below to check how you can install a pellet stove in a home. But take note because the following clip shows the living room to be the installation location.
After watching the video above, the clip below shows how to vent the pellet stove through a basement window. Viewers should be wary when watching this video because the makers use some foul language.
Keep in mind that a pellet stove usually works better in a finished basement than an unfinished space. Unfinished basements often draw about one-third of the heat generated from pellet stoves as compared to finished basements.
You might also find it interesting to learn about how to vent a dryer in the basement. Read our step-by-step guide on that topic to help you with the setup.
Does A Pellet Stove Need An Outside Air Kit?
Outside air kits aren’t required for every pellet stove setup. However, it’s still advisable to have this venting system attached to all pellet stove installation. The typical parts in this kit will help feed combusted air from the connected appliance and throw the harmful gas outside the premises.
Quality outside air kits also helps maintain optimal efficiency for air and fuel balance during pellet-burning operations. Moreover, some building codes require pellet stoves to have these kits attached to indoor heating systems.
Check out this outside air kit on Amazon.
How Many Rooms Can A Pellet Stove Heat?
Installing a pellet stove in a basement may heat an entire home. Homeowners need to ensure that these appliances are clean and well-maintained for them to provide sufficient heating across their houses.
Cleaning the stove at least once per two weeks should suffice. Deep cleaning might be necessary if the pellet stove came out of storage recently.
Watch the video below for a person’s testimonial about his pellet stove’s heating prowess for his home:
What Is The Cost Of Pellet Stove Installation?
Interested buyers should prepare and spend approximately $3,000 to $6,000 to buy quality pellet stoves. Freestanding units are generally less expensive than inserts.
However, large homes may want to buy and install inserted or wall-mounted models as these options typically provide more powerful heating than freestanding choices.
Taking advantage of professional labor may also increase the overhead. If so, homeowners should expect to pay approximately $200 to $2,000 for these services.
Final Words
Homeowners can vent their pellet stoves through their basements’ windows. Proceeding with this project requires practicing local building and fire codes to prevent health hazards and expensive fines.