Multi-Family Wood Stove Installation

Two-story Dwellings are Best

• A wood stove may not be appropriate for single level homes unless the families are living together in a space designed for only one family temporarily. A wood stove---no matter what the size--cannot heat a space that is sprawled out on a single level that extends into two homes. But a multi-family, two-story dwelling, like an apartment over top of a home, a basement apartment or two complete homes can be compatible and more efficient with the use of a wood stove. The key to installing a wood stove for multi-family use is location.

Location

• When installing a wood stove in a two story multi-family dwelling, it should go in the basement with the chimney penetrating the highest point of the house. The chimney should run the full length to the ceiling INSIDE the home if possible. The chimney itself acts as a heating element, keeping the warm air inside the house as long as possible.

Hearth and Wall Shield

• Once the location is decided on, a hearth must be put down on the floor for the stove to sit on, and a hearth-like shield on the wall nearest the stove, or on both walls if the stove is in a corner. Ready-made hearths and wall mounted shield pieces can be bought in one piece. They look like brick and mortar, and are fully assembled. Place one on the floor, then drill and lag bolt the shield piece to the wall, making sure to leave an air space between the wall and shield by first nailing 1 by 1 inch wood strips to the wall, then the shield. The stove can sit no less than 18 inches from a shielded wall and no less than 36 inches from any combustible material. These measurements apply to the chimney as well.

Install a Fan

• For the heat to get to the upper dwelling more efficiently, a 16 by 16 inch hole should be cut into the floor/ceiling between the rafters as close to the chimney as possible, and a fan installed. A grid should be placed on the floor in the upper dwelling where the cutout is to allow the fan to blow the air into the upper level.