Pellet Stoves need to stand away from a wall by about 8 inches (200 mm) to allow for a small condensation trap which must be fitted on the flue immediately it leaves the stove.

The flue for pellet stoves can be installed into an existing masonry chimney usually using an approved chimney liner to keep the old chimney liner from degrading and possibly falling in and blocking the exhaust gases. If you have a standard brick 9 inch sq flue as in most UK houses built in the last century, it is advisable to line it with a single 5 inch single wall flue liner.

Proper flue size (diameter) is very important for safe and efficient operation. Pellet stoves generally use only a small diameter flue pipe of 100 mm. Be sure to seal the joints and seams of the flue with a sealant recommended by the flue manufacturer or supplier.

Pellet stoves are required to stand on a hearth but because the temperature at the base of the stove never gets too high this need only be a half inch (12.5 mm) high rather than the usual 50 mm.

There are a number of ways to install flue pipes, correct installation is important to prevent chimney fires and to help ensure that smoke is quickly removed from the building. The correct method of installing flue pipes will depend on the architectural features of the building, as well as whether or not there is a masonry chimney already installed. But whatever the specific circumstances, there are some standard guidelines that every installation should follow:

• The flue pipe should only be used as a connecting piece between your stove or appliance and the chimney stack.
• Stove pipes should never pass through walls, ceilings, floors or windows. Other products should be used for this purpose, such as the Twin Wall Insulated flue.
• Avoid bends in your pipe if possible; the fewer bends, the better the upwards draft will be. UK Building Regulations and HETAS recommend no more than four 45 degree bends in any one system.

When installing a wood stove pipe, remember that the taller the chimney, the better the draft will be. After installing, be sure to also install a chimney cowl to prevent animals and rain from entering the chimney and to further improve an upwards draft.