Couple years back my Embridge gas bill skyrocketed and I decided to get a wood stove. Trudeau's carbon tax sure doesn't help either. After not being able to find anyone to install it and just being given the run around I decided to do it myself. Figured I'd share the process.
- IMG_20221113_141835.jpg (1.34 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Bought it at Canadian Tire, it's an Englander 15-w06. Had fun transporting it to the basement, needed help for that one!
- IMG_20221107_233026.jpg (2.02 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
This is location where it went. Had some work to do to make it suitable such as adding cement board, finishing walls, etc.
- IMG_20230111_190437.jpg (1.65 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
- IMG_20230113_205809.jpg (2.02 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
- IMG_20230212_183636.jpg (1.71 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Lots of work had to be done above, such as moving my outside garden hose, as ceiling is to be covered with cement board and I really don't like idea of inaccessible plumbing. Also moved a bunch of electrical to clean up that ceiling area as I also wanted to add a 6" vent intake pipe that I will connect to a fan later down the road.
- IMG_20230413_210318.jpg (1.68 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Walls mostly done, and ceiling done. That pipe in the corner is a fresh air intake.
- IMG_20230510_143645.jpg (1.42 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Fresh air intake covered.
- IMG_20230524_021948.jpg (2.58 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Tiles all done, and also added thinset to all the cementboard seams. Also eliminated an ethernet jack since I accidentally cut the wiring and realized it was easier to just eliminate it completely. There is another on the other side anyway. I may use this for automation stuff in the future. All those outlets are a bit on the redundant side but they were added well before I planned to put a wood stove there so they stay.
At this point we were in May 2023. Decided to take a break for the summer as I was still hoping to find someone to do my chimney. Had someone start then never finish the job so did end up doing it myself.
- IMG_20231102_162324.jpg (1.44 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
In November 2023 I started working on the basement again, won't go over the details of this part of the project, but I wanted to wall in my server room so I did. This was always planned either way, but now was the time to do it.
- IMG_20231111_005945.jpg (1.76 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
- IMG_20231118_190132.jpg (1.69 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
- IMG_20231122_125401.jpg (2.37 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
- IMG_20231203_190135.jpg (1.35 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
- IMG_20231226_211912.jpg (2.06 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Stove now moved in it's proper location. This was end of 2023.
- IMG_20240105_194312.jpg (1.87 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Stove pipe staged
At this point I had to do the chimney but it was winter so decided to wait until summer. I did lot of other work in the basement such as drywalling the rest of the side where wood stove is.
- IMG_20240829_172659.jpg (1019.66 KiB) Viewed 3835 times
Opened up soffit to start prepping the hole for the chimney to go through.
- IMG_20240909_163133.jpg (1.99 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
Chimney going through soffit.
- IMG_20240910_195545.jpg (2.42 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
I was debating on whether or not I should go higher at this point as it needs to be 2 feet higher than the highest point of roof within 10 feet and I was kind of borderline. Opted to go for another 3' length since I had it anyway.
- IMG_20240910_200308.jpg (1.55 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
- IMG_20240916_115152.jpg (705.56 KiB) Viewed 3835 times
Got the whole setup WETT inspected and passed with flying colours, am pretty nappy! Still need to close up the soffit but other than that the stove is ready.
- IMG_20240916_151258.jpg (1.25 MiB) Viewed 3835 times
First fire! This is a small kindling fire to break it in. There is another break in fire to do that is slightly bigger but will do that when it's colder out. It was +30 out when I did this, I just couldn't wait!
Overall this install was more complex and involved than I anticipated especially as I originally wanted to hire it out but couldn't find anyone to do it. Probably would not have taken nearly 2 years had I just opted to do it myself right away though, as I spent a lot of time waiting for people to call me back who never did.
Looking forward to using it throughout the winter as I will save a lot on natural gas. Normally I try to keep the house cool to save on gas and suffer a little because of it, now I don't have to do that.
