How can I create a vent to distribute heat from my basement pellet stove throughout my house better?
I want to create a vent solution to allow the heat from the pellet stove to rise up into my main level(s). 1. Is it as simple as cutting a floor grille near or above the pellet stove, and allowing the heat to naturally rise up and heat my main level or, do I need to pump the heat?
2. How /where to install this correctly (all materials, tools and steps). The stove is below my dining room, and partially the living room. I think it can be a wonderful project for people to maximize heat distribution in their homes. Thanks.
Answers:
Cut a hole in the floor (between the floor joists) above the stove and install a floor grate. The heat from the stove will rise through the grate into the room above. If you don't have a forced air system you might need a ceiling fan or two to distribute the heat throughout the house. Trace the size of hole onto the upstairs floor (between the floor joists), drill a half inch hole, and cut the floor out with a jigsaw or reciprocating saw. If there is carpet on the floor cut the carpet out with a utility knife first.
Other answers:
Heat will rise, given fact, but you would need an active system to distribute the heat evenly. For example, a home with a gas furnace and a large wood burning fireplace could place a cold air return in front of the fire place, in the winter the furnace could be turned off but the blower could be left on and it would distribute the heat from the fireplace throughout the home and the filters in the furnace would help keep the air clean.
So I guess I am saying you should look into taking advantage of the ducting system that is in your home and find a way to vent to your air return and that would solve your problem.
Heat will rise, given fact, but you would need an active system to distribute the heat evenly. For example, a home with a gas furnace and a large wood burning fireplace could place a cold air return in front of the fire place, in the winter the furnace could be turned off but the blower could be left on and it would distribute the heat from the fireplace throughout the home and the filters in the furnace would help keep the air clean.
So I guess I am saying you should look into taking advantage of the ducting system that is in your home and find a way to vent to your air return and that would solve your problem.
have you considered relocating the pellet stove? i would try to get it into the living space. if not, cutting in grills is most likely best second choice, one on liv rm side, one on din rm side and ceiling fans running in reverse would also be helpful. it is tough to find floor grills of decent size though for what you are trying to do also dont know if you elec heat is baseboard or forced air?