Wood burning stove install questions

[speedracing944]

I have a used Jotul wood burning box stove I restored and wish to install it in my house. The stove is UL listed and has a listing of clearances. I have done tons of research on clearance reduction devices and have an idea for a hearth on which to place the stove on. I had an "expert" stove installer come out to my place to give an estimate. He is part of a big shop who sells about 6 different brands of stoves including Jotul. So this guy was out and looking at the stove and where I want to place it. He made mention of clearance reduction but he was wrong with how much you could reduce them by. He was also in error about what size chimney we need. These guys have installed 100's of stoves for other people and that is why I wanted him to come out and give an estimate.

I was going to construct the whole hearth myself which was going to consist of brick on the floor and back with the required clearance reduction materials and dimensions. All they were going to do was hook up the stove pipe, cut a hole in the wall to run the pre-manufactured (triple wall) chimney and supply the chimney.

There estimate was north of $4000. I think they are crazy and with there lack of knowledge of the clearance requirements there is no way I am going with them.

Speedy

[notfarnow]

I feel your pain. 4 years ago I bought an Osburn wood-burning fireplace insert, and had a guy lined up to help me install it. Then I spoke to my insurance guy, who told me I absolutely HAD to have it professionally installed.

Just the same, I did the hearth myself, opened up the fireplace for clearance... basically did all the pre-work so the "pro" just had to set the insert in & run the SS liner down the chimney. Took him under 3 hours.

Simple, right?

The thing never really had enough draw. After the first year of burning, I went to sweep the liner and realized the "professional" installed a 5" liner instead of the 6" one it calls for.

[Taz's Master]

I'm no expert, but I've installed 2 wood burners and their chimneys, and I have no idea what it costs to heat a house with gas or electric. I prefer the double wall insulated stainless steel chimney. I've never had a problem with it, and it doesn't seem to create much creosote when you burn your wood properly. You can also build the chimney so that you can clean it from the ground.

Nothing about the installation is rocket science. Follow the UL guidelines for the products you use, and talk to the people you buy from. But whatever you do, be safe. A poor installation can destroy your home and kill you. Using the wrong sized chimney, not knowing the clearances, that stuff is pretty basic, if they mess that up, what else are they doing wrong?

[Arizona_928]

any pic's speedy?

[Seahawk]

Laws may vary by state, but I installed a Jotul many years ago. The store recommended that after the install I call my insurance company to come out and review the install.

I followed all codes and instructions and the insurance guy "signed off" on the install for insurance purposes.

Funny things was he made me make changes to the stove in the basement that the previous owner had installed...nothing dramatic but it didn't meet code.

[NICKG]

we put in a Jotul like 4 years ago, it heat the whole home..easily. wood costs have tripled in the past 2 years by me, but in the 4 years we have used it, it has (by my estimates) paid for itself 2 or 3 times. (we had 2500 in the install with the stove and a chimney insert/reline)
combine this with all new windows, siding/insulation etc and we are saving huge compared to what we had been paying. We installed a new furnace when we bough the hhouse, and that alone save 3-4 tanks of oil a year. We are currently using 600 gallons (2.5 tanks) a year...compared to 2000+ of the home when we first got it.

we paid someone to install the chimneylining and stove because the insurance would be grey on covering it if there was a problem. By having it done by a liscensed contracter, we are covered. Also the building code was pretty strict and we just felt it was better to have it done.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Laws may vary by state, but I installed a Jotul many years ago. The store recommended that after the install I call my insurance company to come out and review the install.

I followed all codes and instructions and the insurance guy "signed off" on the install for insurance purposes.

Funny things was he made me make changes to the stove in the basement that the previous owner had installed...nothing dramatic but it didn't meet code.

I should have mentioned that the stove was installed partially in a existing fire place which meant the chimneylining was very straight forward.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Just remember, licensed contractor doesn't equal professional. It's not that hard to get a license, and it certainly doesn't make you "professional". Ask around, find someone that comes recommended by friends.

[speedracing944]

My insurance guy is in the loop. I can self install as long as it is to the UL specifications. He would make the 2 hour trip to inspect it before the final sign off.

[Rot 911]

It's really isn't rocket science to do this. Especially if you are going to vent directly out a wall. No reason why you can't do as good or better a job then a "professional" if you have decent DIY skills. I have installed a couple of these.