Installing This Pellet Stove Was The Best Decision I’ve Made This Winter

I love the look and feel of a real fire, but installing a wood-burning stove or fireplace requires a complete chimney system for safety and ventilation. A pellet stove, on the other hand, can often be vented horizontally out an exterior wall, which means fewer structural changes. Plus, pellets burn cleaner than wood, producing less creosote and ash. 

There are many pellet stoves on the market, but the Comfortbilt Alpine HP42 stood out because it comes with a whopping 120-pound hopper capacity. Instead of having to remember to fill the hopper daily, I can fill it once and it won’t run out for days, depending on how often it’s burning. That means one less thing to worry about and more time for myself. Keep reading to learn more about this high-capacity pellet stove (including my DIY installation) and whether the Comfortbilt pellet stove is the right choice for your heating needs.  

Comfort Alpine HP42 Pellet Stove: At a Glance

Our rating: 4.8/5

Comfort Alpine HP42 Pellet Stove

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Testing the Comfortbilt Pellet Stove

I tested the Comfortbilt HP42 the same way any DIY enthusiast would—I installed it, turned it on, and enjoyed the ambiance and warmth. Since pellet stoves are frequently do-it-yourself projects, I paid special attention to the instructions that came with the stove to see if all steps were included and easy to follow. 

In addition to thoroughly enjoying the mesmerizing flames and radiant warmth, I noted how long it took the hopper to run out of pellets. I operated the stove using both the control panel and the included remote control. The one thing I didn’t do—but likely will in the near future—is connect the HP42 to a smart thermostat for even easier control. Yes, that’s doable!

The most enjoyable part of the test was relaxing by the stove for several hours while reading a book, napping, and sipping eggnog. Now that I think about it, I should probably continue that aspect of testing for a few more weeks. You can never over-test, after all.

Installation Process

If you’re concerned about installing the Comfortbilt pellet stove, by all means, have a pro do it. It’s always better to seek help if you’re unfamiliar with basic construction techniques. However, the installation instructions that come with the stove are simple to follow. They walked me through every step and had several images I could compare as I progressed.

I cut a hole through my exterior wall, and that’s probably the most challenging part—not because cutting is hard, but because it’s essential to measure the location of the vent pipe on the back of the stove precisely and transfer that measurement to the wall to get the hole in the correct spot. This is where the old carpenter saying, “Measure twice, cut once,” is good advice. The last thing you want to do is cut the hole in the wrong spot, especially on the exterior of your home. You’ll also need to avoid hitting studs, wires, and pipes. 

I had to buy a few supplies for the installation: a heat-rated vent pipe, an appliance adapter that connects the pipe and the stove, a wall thimble that offers heat protection around the vent pipe, and an exterior termination cap with a built-in spark arrestor. 

In many cases (including mine), the pellet stove can be vented horizontally through an exterior wall. It’s the simplest and most straightforward venting method and perfectly safe. 

However, you can also install the HP42 on an interior wall. To do so, you’ll need to run a vertical vent through the roof. That’s a little more complicated, but the same safe-venting principles apply. The instruction manual for the pellet stove offers diagrams of several different venting methods. I strongly recommend downloading the HP42 User Manual before purchasing the pellet stove to see the options. If you’re unfamiliar with local building codes, check with your community building authority to determine if you need to do anything else prior to installation. 

Hopper Capacity and Convenience

The Comfortbilt Alpine HP42 has a massive 120-pound pellet hopper just over 2 feet deep! That’s the largest hopper I’ve seen on a pellet stove—many have smaller hoppers that require refilling on a daily or twice-daily basis. Ultimately, the amount of pellets you use, and how often you need to refill, will depend on the home’s insulation, room size, and outdoor temperature. I filled the hopper, set the temperature on the HP42 to 68 degrees F, and didn’t need to refill for three days. That’s very convenient.

I could change the temperature directly from the mounted control panel or the remote control. The control panel also features a child lock, making the HP42 a good option for families with small children. 

A separate wired thermostat can be connected to the pellet stove, which would make it even more convenient, and the HP42 comes with a removable ash pan that lifts out of the firebox for easy cleanup. I have an ash vacuum, so I used that to suck the ashes out. 

Performance and Efficiency 

Without a doubt, the Comfortbilt pellet stove is a wonderful source of warmth and ambiance. It can produce up to 42,370 BTU of heat per hour, and one of the nicest things is an internal fan that disperses the heat outward so the whole room warms up. With other non-central heat sources I’ve had, including a wood-burning stove and wood fireplace, the warmth was always greatest near the source, but across the room, it could still be chilly. The HP42 distributes the warm air evenly.

The pellet stove is rated for spaces up to 2,800 square feet, making it well-suited to large open areas and great rooms. And it comes with an EPA certified efficiency rating of 86 percent overall and 87.5 percent on Low. 

The Comfortbilt HP42–High-Capacity Heating at a Mid-Range Price

Currently, the HP42 sells for $1,299 on Amazon and from a handful of other retailers. That’s right in line, price-wise, with other similar pellet stoves. The most significant differences are the expansive coverage area and the large-capacity hopper, which makes it possible to go longer without refilling. That’s a big deal for me because I don’t have the time to babysit a pellet stove and add pellets every few hours. 

While I can’t attest to how easy other pellet stoves are to install, the HP42 is about as easy as it gets for someone with basic carpentry and remodeling skills. 

Buy the Comfortbilt Pellet Stove on:

• Amazon for $1,299
• Lowes for $1,299
• The Home Depot for $1,299
• Comfortbilt for $1,299

Product Comparisons

Is the Comfortbilt Alpine HP42 right for you?

The HP42 is a good option for someone looking for a reliable, easy-to-use heating solution that doesn’t require an extensive chimney system. It’s efficient, and its powerful fan distributes heat throughout large open spaces. 

The Comfortbilt pellet stove is especially useful for busy homeowners who don’t have the time to monitor the stove and add pellets frequently. My favorite feature on the HP42 is the 120-pound pellet hopper that holds double or even triple the pellets other stoves hold. That means fewer refills and more time to do the things I want to do. 

If you have a working knowledge of construction, you shouldn’t have any trouble installing this pellet stove, but check local codes first, just to be on the safe side. Call a professional to help with installation if necessary.

The HP42 keeps a large space toasty, but if you live in a temperate zone or are on a tight budget, you can find a less expensive model that will suit your needs. For me, the Comfortbilt Alpine HP42 is the right choice. It puts out enough heat to warm my space, I don’t have to refill the pellets every few hours, and it offers genuine flames without the hassle. 

Meet the Tester

Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, tools, and home appliances.

 

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