Expert: James Ball - 2/18/2010

Question
Hello

I am in the process of installing a wood burning stove.  I removed my inefficient fireplace insert and the chimney flue that was installed by the builder.  I now have a hole in the wall all the way up to the ceiling (an alcove).  The alcove is too small to safely insert a wood burning stove, based on the clearances I have seen.  

I decided to cover the front of the alcove with cinder blocks and re install a 6" stainless steel chimney that will go from (Bottom going up) the alcove through the attic and through the box-like compartment on my roof that housed my old chimney and eventually vents outside.

My Questions are as follows:

1. My local stove shop wants too much for their chimney systems.  I did some shopping and my most economical piping is available at either Lowes (Supervent) or Home Depot (Dura vent).  I get 10% off, military discount.  Is one better than the other?

2.  My stove shop also wants a little too much for their stoves (Lopi)than the similar units at Lowes and Home Depot.  Lowes carries Summers Heat and Forester and Home Depot carries Englander, again I get 10% military discount at either Lowes or Depot and Depot has some on sale now through their website.  Assuming I found a comparable unit to the Lopi stoves at either Lowes or Home Depot, is there one brand better than any other, if so why or what should I focus on when buying a stove for my residence (2,500 sq feet).  I will also use my HVAC system to move the hot air through the house after the stove is installed.

3.  I will have a person install it, but I will oversee it all.  Should I be looking for someone that is licensed to install wood burning fireplaces.  My local stove shop keeps telling me that so long as they follow the manufactures clearances on the pipes and the stove that is all that is required, is this correct?

4. Should I notify my insurance company of what I am doing?

I hope I selected the correct Expert?

Thanks in advance and please advise if I should go to a website for the answer!

Answer
Hello Art, I used CAPS so you can read my answers easily
IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU REMOVED A PREFAB FIREPLACE AND SYSTEM, THIS MIGHT NOT BE WHAT YOU NEED FOR A WOOD STOVE AND PIPE EVEN IF YOU USE CINDER BLOCK FRONT, YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT FOR LOCAL CODES AND PERMITS.

1. My local stove shop wants too much for their chimney systems.  I did some shopping and my most economical piping is available at either Lowes (Supervent) or Home Depot (Dura vent).  I get 10% off, military discount.  Is one better than the other?
I HAVE NEVER USED SUPERVENT  BUT HAVE USED DURAVENT AND LIKE IT. BE SURE THAT PIPE IS RATED FOR THE STOVE STOVE YOU GET CHECK BOTH THE STOVE AND PIPE COMPANIES.

2.  My stove shop also wants a little too much for their stoves (Lopi)than the similar units at Lowes and Home Depot.  Lowes carries Summers Heat and Forester and Home Depot carries Englander, again I get 10% military discount at either Lowes or Depot and Depot has some on sale now through their website.  Assuming I found a comparable unit to the Lopi stoves at either Lowes or Home Depot, is there one brand better than any other, if so why or what should I focus on when buying a stove for my residence (2,500 sq feet).  I will also use my HVAC system to move the hot air through the house after the stove is installed.
WHEN GETTING A STOVE GET THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD, (A GOOD STOVE CAN LAST 20+ YEARS) I ALSO TELL PEOPLE TO BUY LOCALY IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STOVE FROM HOME DEPOT WHO WILL COME OUT AND SERVICE IT? EVEN IF IT IS A LOPI THE WOOD STOVE STORE MIGHT NOT SERVICE IT UNLESS THEY SOLD  IT TO YOU. MY LOCAL STORE SAYS "SURE WE FIX THAT BUT YOU HAVE TO BRING IT HERE OR PAY US TO COME OUT EVEN IF IT IS UNDER WARRANTY"

3.  I will have a person install it, but I will oversee it all.  Should I be looking for someone that is licensed to install wood burning fireplaces.  My local stove shop keeps telling me that so long as they follow the manufactures clearances on the pipes and the stove that is all that is required, is this correct?
I WOULD HAVE A LOCAL CERTIFIED SWEEP WWW.CSIA.ORG INSTALL IT, YOU CAN FIND ONE ON THEIR WEB PAGE

4. Should I notify my insurance company of what I am doing?
NOT SURE YOU CAN ASK YOUR AGENT, OR GIVE THE COMPANY A CALL WITH OUT GIVING YOUR NAME.

I hope I selected the correct Expert?
THE OLD STORY GOES "IF YOU ASK 3 PEOPLE YOU WILL GT 4 DIFFERENT ANSWERS"  SO TALK TO ASK MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN IN YOUR AREA, ASK, SEE IF ANY ONE ELSE BOUGHT OR HAS ONE OF THE STOVES YOU ARE LOOKING AT.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP ME POSTED
BY THE WAY THANKS FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY
JAMES