Installing a wood-burning stove can be a cost-effective and cozy addition to your home, but before embarking on this heating venture, understanding the expenses involved is crucial.
The installation of a new wood-burning stove can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000, making the average $3,250. Of course, the cost depends on the type of stove and the complexity of the installation process. You can expect to spend around $3,000 for a fairly decent wood stove installed.
Curious to discover the full breakdown of expenses and considerations? Read on to find out more about the cost of installing a wood-burning stove and what factors influence the final price.
How much does a wood-burning stove cost?
The price of a wood-burning stove mainly depends on the type of stove it is. First, there are basic wood-burning stoves with no sophisticated technology such as a catalytic combustor, air intake, or blower fan.
While a basic wood stove is more efficient than open fires, it may not be a good option if you want to reduce your carbon footprint to a significant extent. The price of a basic wood stove ranges from $500 to $1,000.
The second option is a non-catalytic wood-burning stove. These stoves are pretty elegantly designed, come with blower fans, and way more efficient than basic stoves. A non-catalytic wood-burning stove can cost anywhere between $500 and $2,500.
Your third option is a catalytic wood burning stove. These stoves are known for their efficiency. A catalytic stove contains a honeycomb-like catalytic combustor used for secondary combustion, which essentially refers to reburning the smoke and gasses produced by the primary combustion. A catalytic wood stove costs $1500-$2,500.
The fourth, and the best, option is a hybrid wood-burning stove, which combines two distinct technologies to reburn the smoke and gasses produced by the primary combustion. The first technology—a set of air tubes—is used for secondary combustion. The second technology is a catalytic combustor that performs tertiary combustion, making the stove very efficient. Prices range from $2,500 to $4,000.
Labour cost for installing a wood-burning stove
Labour cost for installing a wood-burning stove can be anywhere between $250 and $800, depending on the scope and complexity of the process. In general, the procedure involves fitting the stove, constructing a chimney, installing a ventilation system, covering the walls, and installing a hearth pad.
Of course, the professional may charge separately for each of these tasks. Discuss everything clearly before you hire someone to get your stove installed. In the next section, I will discuss the factors that influence the labour cost.
What factors determine the cost for installing a wood-burning stove?
While the price of a wood-burning is not negotiable in most cases, the installation cost is. Here are some factors that determine how much you might be charged for the installation process:
Your stove
That’s obvious. There are several types of wood-burning stoves with various heat-generation capabilities. The cost of your heating setup will directly depend on whether you choose a catalytic, non-catalytic, or hybrid stove. It may be a basic wood-stove—which is still way more efficient than conventional fireplaces—or a unit with the triple stage burn technology.
The price of a wood stove largely depends on the material of the stove. Stoves made of stainless steel are usually more expensive than those made of cast iron. The price of the stove is the biggest factor, and it largely determines the total cost of your setup.
Chimney installation
A wood-burning stove is a combustion-based appliance that requires a venting system. If you do not have an existing chimney, you will have to get one built for your wood stove.
There are some regulations for chimney construction. Each solid fuel burning appliance must have a separate flue. The chimney must be at least 2 feet above the shortest side of the roof, and 3 feet above any roof within a radius of 10 feet.
The cost depends on the complexity of the project, but in general, you should expect to spend anywhere between $900 and $2,500 on the construction of a 15-foot chimney.
And if you are living in a flat without a chimney, you can still use your wood stove. For this you will have to get a twin wall flue system installed.
Stove pipe
The stove pipe, also referred to as the interior flue, connects your stove to the chimney flue. If the system requires a stove pipe that is more than 8 feet in length, You have to consider getting a double wall stove pipe.
The advantage of a double wall stove pipe is that it keeps the combustion gasses hot by providing some additional insulation. Depending on the length and design of the stove pipe, the installation will cost $100-$500.
Wall protection or heat shield
Unless you are able to leave a clearance of at least 900 mm between your wood-burning stove and other surfaces, installing a heat shield is a must. The shield is made of a non-combustible metal, and you have to mount it as per your local building codes.
There is another way to reduce the clearance between your stove and the nearby wall. Rather than mounting the shield on the wall, you can mount it on the back of the stove.
However, not all stoves offer this convenience because the heat shield must be customized for the specific stove. While masonry wall protection costs around $25 per square foot, a heat shield will cost between $130 and $200.
Additional costs and considerations
Apart from the costs mentioned above, you will have to take some additional costs into consideration. The wood stove you choose is either a freestanding unit or a fireplace insert. The latter is an option for you if you have an existing fireplace.
In terms of efficiency, a freestanding stove clearly beats a fireplace insert, because freestanding units are particularly designed to radiate heat efficiently. With that said, a fireplace insert is more efficient than an open fireplace.
A wood-burning fireplace insert will cost anywhere between $800 and $4,500. Plus, the labour cost for installing the insert will be around $2,000.
You may want to customize some features of your wood-burning stove. The hearth, which sits beneath the stove and serves as a protective barrier between the floor and the stove, can be made of granite, slate, brick, marble, or limestone. Depending on the size of the hearth and your material of choice, installing the hearth will cost $200-$500.
Your geographical location can also determine the overall cost of installing a wood stove. You may get tax credits offered by the government. In some states of the United States, for instance, homeowners who replace their old wood stoves with EPA-certified new ones may receive financial incentives that can be as high as $5,000. It can significantly offset your costs.
Conclusion
Getting a wood-burning stove installed in your home is significantly less expensive if you have an existing chimney. If you don’t, you will have to budget about $1000 for the chimney. And if you are living in a modern flat with no chimney, you will have to get a twin wall flue system installed before you can start using a wood-burning stove.
As I have explained, the total cost for the setup depends on a number of factors, and you have a lot of control over the amount of money to be spent on your heating system. An experienced HVAC professional can assess your project, help you choose the right wood stove, and walk you through the whole process.
