Stove & insert installation.
Convert an underperforming masonry fireplace into a high-efficiency heat source. Wood, pellet, and gas inserts installed to manufacturer spec — full chimney relining, hearth extension, and city inspection sign-off.
Turn a fireplace into
a serious heat source.
An open-hearth masonry fireplace loses 80-90% of its heat up the chimney. A modern EPA-certified wood or pellet insert reverses the math — 70-80% efficient, throwing real BTUs into the room, burning a fraction of the wood, and producing a small fraction of the emissions.
The install is the part that matters. The insert is the easy part. What makes the install last 30 years instead of 8 is the chimney relining, the proper appliance clearances, the right hearth extension, the gasket integrity at the connector, and the city inspection sign-off that says it was done to code.
We install on our own permit, work with the dealer of your choice (or recommend one), and handle every part of the install from delivery through the inspection. Heart's Chimney is the busiest stove and insert installer in west Sonoma County for a reason.
What a stove or insert actually delivers.
Real room heat
An EPA-certified insert puts 30,000-60,000 BTU into the room instead of up the chimney. Many North Bay homes use the insert as the primary heat source during cold months.
Lower wood consumption
Modern catalytic and non-catalytic stoves burn one-third to one-half the wood per BTU compared to an open fireplace. The wood pile lasts twice as long.
Cleaner combustion
EPA Phase III certification means 70%+ less particulate emission than older stoves. Less creosote, less smoke, cleaner air quality both indoors and outdoors.
Tax credit eligibility
Many EPA-qualified wood and pellet stoves are eligible for the federal Biomass Stove Tax Credit (26% through 2032). We help you document for the filing.
Power-out resilience
Wood and pellet stoves keep the house warm during a PG&E PSPS event. North Bay homeowners who lived through 2019 know the value of this.
Resale value
A high-efficiency hearth appliance with a documented install and permit signature is a real-estate-listing asset, not just a feature.
The install details most homeowners never see.
Full chimney relining is non-negotiable
Connecting a stove or insert to an existing oversized masonry flue without a stainless steel liner is a code violation and a creosote-fire risk. We line every install, top to bottom.
Hearth extension sized correctly
Wood and pellet appliances require a non-combustible hearth extension that meets the manufacturer specification. We measure, fabricate, and install to spec.
Outdoor air kit on tight homes
A modern weather-sealed home can starve a wood stove of combustion air. We assess and install an outdoor air supply where needed.
Clearance to combustibles documented
Manufacturer specs dictate clearance from the appliance to walls, mantel, floor. We document every clearance with measurements in the install file.
When a stove or insert makes sense for your home.
Any single sign on this list is worth a phone call. Two or more is worth booking an inspection this week.
What a stove install actually looks like.
Site visit and spec
We measure the existing fireplace or hearth, assess the chimney, and review options with you. You leave the visit with a fixed price for the install and a recommended appliance shortlist.
Permit and order
We pull the install permit, you finalize the appliance with the dealer, and we coordinate delivery. Lead time is typically 2-4 weeks depending on appliance stock.
Install and inspect
Most installs complete in 1-2 working days — relining, appliance placement, hearth extension, gas connection if applicable, final inspection scheduled with the city.
Insert installations qualify for multiple financing options.
Federal Biomass Stove Tax Credit (26% on EPA-qualified appliances), state efficiency rebates where available, and home-improvement financing partners offering 0% promo periods. We'll walk you through what you qualify for.
Stove & Insert Installation — frequently asked.
Most installs complete in 1-2 working days from delivery to final inspection scheduling. The full permit + install + city sign-off cycle typically runs 3-6 weeks end-to-end.
Often booked together.
Chimney Inspections
CSIA Level 1, 2, and 3 inspections — the certified baseline every wood-burning home needs.
Gas Log Set Installation
Vented and vent-free gas log conversions for masonry and zero-clearance fireplaces.
Chimney Repairs
Crown rebuilds, flashing, tuckpointing, cap install, liner replacement, firebox repair.
Upgrade the hearth.
Site visit, fixed-price quote, EPA-certified appliance, full code-compliant install. North Bay scheduling typically 3-6 weeks end-to-end.