
Does a pellet stove increase home value?
Pellet stoves add value to a home by being energy efficient, as well as, a great visual feature. Having a wood pellet stove installed in the home will provide long-term savings, and warmth, during the blustery winter months. Wood pellet stoves are a sound, long-term investment for your current and future homes. As an added bonus, environmentally conscious buyers will appreciate the clean energy source.
How many pellets does it take to heat a home?
The average homeowner will need 2 to 3 tons of wood pellets to heat their home annually, according to the Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI). This means 100 to 150 bags of pellets or 2 to 3 pallets of pellets each year. You’ll find many benefits to heating your home, business or commercial site with wood pellets.
How much electricity to run a pellet stove?
What Are The Costs To Run A Pellet Stove
- Reasons to Calculate Costs. There are many reasons why you may want to know the operating cost of your appliances. ...
- Info to Calculate Cost of Operating a Pellet Stove. There are a few factors that will go into how much your bill will increase by running a pellet stove.
- Kilowatts Per Hour. ...
- Pellets Per Hour. ...
- Conclusion. ...
How many kWh does a pellet stove use per month?
Many articles I have read estimate about 100 kWh per month for pellet stoves, which is an acceptible number, but probably a little high. Surprisingly, my brand new 2010 Harman P35i uses slightly more electricity than the older Whitfield (125 Watts - Auger Off, 150 Watts Auger On), and most notably consumes a significantly higher amount (395 ...

How much does a pellet stove cost with installation?
Pellet stove inserts are easy to install with liners costs of around $300 and installation labor of about $1,000 to $2,000 for the liner and insert. With the insert, expect to pay between $3,000 and $8,000 for the unit fully installed.
How long does a 40 lb bag of pellets last?
24 hoursQ: How long does one bag of pellets last? A: According to the Pellet Fuels Institute, a 40-lb bag of pellet fuel can provide up to 24 hours of solid heat. A winter's supply of wood pellets is about 100-150 bags—depending on climatic and lifestyle variations.
How much does it cost in electricity to run a pellet stove?
With the average price of a kilowatt at $0.08, the average electrical cost to run a stove would be . 303kw x . 08 = 2.42 cents per hour. If a stove ran for 24 hours in a day it would use approximately 58 cents per day (2.42 cents x 24 hours =58.176 cents).
Is it worth buying a pellet stove?
Pellet stoves are considered to be the most efficient form of home heating appliance, with average efficiency ratings exceeding those of wood burning stoves. This means that pellet stoves are able to burn their fuel extremely cleanly and produce a lot of heat, with minimal wastage in the form of ash or emissions.
Is it cheaper to burn wood or pellets?
Pellets are slightly higher in price per year, though they burn longer than wood. In either case, according to the Department of Energy, you should expect to pay about $190 for a cord of wood or ton of pellets (at 6.5 cords or 7.5 tons of pellets per season, factoring in that a ton equals 1.5 cords).
Can you heat a whole house with a pellet stove?
Pellet stoves have heating capacities that range between 8,000 and 90,000 Btu per hour. They are suitable for homes as well as apartments or condominiums. Most pellet stoves cost between $1,700 and $3,000. However, a pellet stove is often cheaper to install than a conventional wood-burning heater.
What are the disadvantages of a pellet stove?
Disadvantages of Using a Pellet StoveMaintenance. The pellet stove is very efficient, which makes a lot of people overlook what it takes to have them maintained. ... Noise. ... They depend on electricity for operation. ... Size of the flame is small. ... The investment cost in a pellet stove is quite high. ... Issue of plastic bags.
How many bags of pellets do you burn a day?
Based on the typical burn rate of pellets of 1.67lbs, a pellet stove can on average burn through a standard 40lb bag of pellets every 24 hours.
How much does a 40 lb bag of wood pellets cost?
Bag of Wood Pellets Cost Pellets are normally sold in 40 pound bags and average $5 per bag. The type of pellets and where you order them from also factor into price. Expect to pay anywhere from $4 to $9 for one 40 pound bag.
Will a pellet stove heat a garage?
Recommended for: A pellet stove is an ideal choice for a large garage – 2.5 or 3 car unit, for example, and for a shop or workshop. Because of the fire hazard – which is minimal when the stove is properly installed – pellet stoves are probably better used for a detached garage.
What is the life expectancy of a pellet stove?
10 yearsCommon Issues. A properly installed and maintained pellet stove should last at least 10 years. Some have track records of more than 20 years, but most owners believe that stoves last as long as they can get parts.
Do pellet stoves use a lot of electricity?
Do Pellet Stoves Use A Lot Of Electricity? Pellet stoves can use on average just over 100W of energy during normal use but up to 500W during ignition of a fire. A pellet stove can use on average 1kWh of energy per day if used for 8 straight hours.
How many bags of pellets do you burn a day?
Based on the typical burn rate of pellets of 1.67lbs, a pellet stove can on average burn through a standard 40lb bag of pellets every 24 hours.
How long does a 20lb bag of pellets last in a smoker?
between 6 to 20 hoursThe smoker burns 1 to 3 pounds of pellets per hour. Traeger says that means each 20 pound bag provides between 6 to 20 hours of cook time (at high or low heat).
How long will pellets burn in a wood stove?
about 24 hoursPellets are a biomass product made of renewable substances including recycled wood waste and plant derivatives. When burned in a high efficiency pellet stove, a 40-lb bag of pellets can provide about 24 hours of steady heat for 1500 square feet of living space.
How much does a 40 pound bag of pellets cost?
A: A pallet of pellets is comprised of fifty, 40 pound bags (which equals one ton). The price is $269 a pallet or $5.38 per 40 lb bag.
What are the benefits of a pellet stove?
Many of the benefits of a pellet stove are environmental. The pellets used to create combustion in a pellet stove are made from 100% recycled mater...
Can I install a pellet stove on my own?
Homeowners should know that it’s not sufficient to bring home a pellet stove, plop it in a room, and fire it up. These stoves often require ventila...
How much electricity does a pellet stove use?
It may seem odd that a pellet stove uses electricity. These stoves operate through a thermostat; the stove releases pellets into the firebox in acc...
What are some pellet stove safety tips?
Following simple safety guidelines will ensure you have a positive experience with your pellet stove for many years. For starters, following the ma...
Pellet stove costs
The cost of a pellet stove can vary depending on its size and features. If you’re planning on installing a pellet stove in your home, you should expect to pay between $1,500 - $5,000. This makes the pellet stove one of the more expensive heating alternatives for your home.
Running costs
There are a number of different suppliers of wood pellets, with Lignetics and Vermont Wood Pellet Company among the most well-known suppliers. Prices can vary depending on the quality and the types of wood pellets available.
Pellet stove maintenance
You should clean your pellet stove regularly to ensure that it is performing at its full potential. When cleaning a pellet stove, you should prioritize the burn chamber and the ventilation. Cleaning these areas will be as simple as removing any leftover ash. Just be sure that when cleaning your pellet stove that it is completely cool.
Price factors
The choice to install either an insert or free-standing pellet stove can have a major influence on your upfront costs. A pellet stove insert will generally be more expensive than a free-standing stove, due to the need for holes to be cut in the wall, and the added chimney installation.
Financial benefits
If we go off of a cost-per-BTU basis then pellet stoves, once installed, are more affordable than fuel, propane, and electric heating options. A pellet stove operating at 85% efficiency will cost about $18 per million BTU.
Rebates and incentives
As of January 2022, you’re able to claim a 26% tax credit for purchasing and installing a highly-efficient pellet stove. The 26% tax credit is uncapped and is based on the total cost of installation. On top of that, several states offer other tax rebates for purchasing pellet stoves, including New York and Alabama.
Pellet stove pros and cons
Easy to use and maintain: With automatic ignition and power modulation a pellet stove is very easy for anyone to use. A pellet stove also doesn’t require any kindling or tending to once ignited. The cleaning process is also very easy with most pellet stove manuals providing step-by-step cleaning instructions.
What is a pellet stove?
Wood pellet stoves make use of compressed pellets that look like rabbit food and, when burned, produce just very small quantities of ash and creosote. Pellet stoves are also pretty easy to light and produce a continuous temperature level as pellets are immediately fed from the hopper to the combustion chamber.
How many BTU/h does a pellet stove need?
According to Consumer Reports, you’ll require a pellet stove that puts out a minimum of 5,000 Btu/h in order to warm a 200 square foot house. Other elements that impact heating capability are your local environment, the number of windows in a particular area, the house’s insulation, and the existence of a heated area above or below the space.
How do pellets move in a stove?
In a top-fed pellet stove, the pellets move from a hopper at the top of a stove down into the combustion chamber, whereas in a bottom-fed pellet stove, pellets are directed into the combustion chamber from the bottom and move up. Clean-up of a bottom-fed stove tends to be much easier.
How much does a multi fuel stove cost?
Multi-fuel stoves cost $1,500 to $3,000. A freestanding pellet stove will need a hearth pad that costs $250 to $500, so make sure you take it into account when figuring out the budget.
What is the grade of wood pellets?
While the size of wood pellets is pretty uniform, there are 2 quality grades: premium (less than 1% ash material) and normal grade (anywhere between 1% and 3% ash material). It is also possible to purchase a multi-fuel pellet stove, which can burn not just wood pellets, but also those made from corn, wheat, cherry and olive pits, waste, and grass.
Can a pellet stove vent through a chimney?
Like an insert, a freestanding pellet stove can vent through the existing chimney or be vent-free. Extra ventilation alternatives consist of natural draft (vent through the roofing system), and direct-vent (ventilation will take place through a pipe that goes through the wall behind the system or above the system through the roofing system).
What is a Pellet Stove?
A pellet stove is a unit that uses combustion to produce heat. Instead of burning wood or coal, the pellet stove is fed by small “pellets” of biomass. These clean pellets are made largely of biomass like sawdust, wood shavings and food waste. The pellets are often purchased in bulk, typically in large bags.
How Much Does a Pellet Stove Cost?
When wondering about a pellet stove costs, know that you’ll pay for the unit and the pellet stove installation separately. The table below shows the cost of an average-sized unit, and we’ll discuss installation costs further down.
How Much Does a Pellet Stove Installation Cost?
Once you’ve chosen the pellet stove model that works best for your space, you’ll have to factor in the installation cost. Below, we’ve listed out the average pellet stove installation cost by type.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Many of the benefits of a pellet stove are environmental. The pellets used to create combustion in a pellet stove are made from 100% recycled material, such as wood shavings, food waste and other by-products.
How Much Does A Pellet Stove Cost?
The average cost of a pellet stove is indicated to be between $1,700 and $3,000 but this can vary depending on the make and model of stove, the build quality and quality of materials used, the efficiency rating, size, heat output potential, and type.
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Pellet Stove?
The average cost to install a pellet stove in a home can be between $500 and $1,000, but the cost can increase in more difficult installation situations. Installing a pellet stove up against an external wall and venting externally rather than venting straight through the roof can keep costs much lower.
How Much Does It Cost To Run A Pellet Stove?
It can cost up to $150 per month to run a pellet stove for 24 hours a day, but the average cost to run a pellet stove is typically $50 dollars per month when factoring in the cost of the pellets, electricity, maintenance and upkeep.
Are Pellet Stoves Expensive (Or Cheap) To Run?
Pellet stoves are typically more expensive to run compared to other forms of wood stove that use firewood rather than pellets, but provide the advantage of being far more automated. Firewood costs can be minimal if sourced locally but pellets must be manufactured and delivered.
Are Pellet Stoves Cost Effective?
Pellet stove can be considered cost effective when higher heating automation is desired over manual input of fires, and when pellets can be sourced locally without high purchase and delivery costs.
How much does a pellet stove cost?
While a pellet stove costs between $1,040 and $3,090, it only costs $35 to $45 per month to run your stove. A pellet stove is generally used on top of a home’s heating system. Much like a fireplace, stoves are best used for heating a single room.
How much does a bag of wood pellets cost?
Bag of Wood Pellets Cost. Pellets are normally sold in 40 pound bags and average $5 per bag. The type of pellets and where you order them from also factor into price. Expect to pay anywhere from $4 to $9 for one 40 pound bag.
What are the factors that affect pellet fuel prices?
Pellet fuel costs depend on several factors: Supply: Pellets are a waste product, made from materials such as sawdust or even food waste. Price varies based on waste supply and availability. Type: Corn pellets are cheaper than wood; hardwood pellets are more expensive than softwood or biomass pellets.
Which is better, wood pellets or hardwood?
Softwood pellets tend to burn better than hardwood, which means they reach hotter temperatures faster. They also burn cleaner. Hardwood pellets are a good option for someone who doesn’t want their room to heat up too fast or to get too hot.
Is pellet stove better than wood stove?
Efficient: When it comes to cost and energy efficiency, pellet stoves outrank fireplaces and wood stoves. Pellet fuel is cheaper, burns cleaner, and needs less attention to run than making a fire with wood.
Can you use wood pellets in bulk?
On colder days and on weekends (or whenever you’re home the most), you might set your thermostat higher or use your stove for longer periods of time. There’s a benefit to buying wood pellets in bulk. In milder climates, one ton of pellets should last you well through the winter.
Why do people use pellet stoves?
A lot of homeowners are thinking about installing pellet stoves to stay warm this winter, and for good reason: They burn cleanly, produce tons of heat, and require little maintenance. And people who own pellet stoves can save hundreds of dollars on a yearly basis after they convert from fuel oil, propane or electric heat to wood pellets.
What is pellet fuel?
Pellets/Pellet Fuel: Pellets are highly compressed biofuels made of organic materials such as wood scrap and other biomass. They are extremely dense and have a low moisture content. This allows them to burn cleanly, often leaving behind nothing but fly-ash.
Why are pellet stoves good?
Pellet stoves are great options for those looking at alternative heating sources. You may love the environmental benefits but probably one of the main reasons you bought the best pellet stove around is to save money.
How many watts does a stove use?
If you run it 24 hours a day you’ll run 14,400 watts. And if the stove is on every day in the month, this would total 432,000 watts. That equates to 432 kilowatt hours.
Do pellet stoves burn more fuel?
If you want the stove to constantly be firing and feeding pellets, then you will most likely go through more fuel. But if you have a thermostat controlling the firing, you’ll probably be going through less.
How much does a pellet stove cost?
Pellet stoves are not inexpensive; a typical unit will cost between $1,700 and $3,000, and installation costs will increase the overall price to somewhere between $3,500 and $4,000. In comparison, a conventional wood-burning stove costs between $3,000 and $4,200 installed, and a natural gas furnace costs $3,000 to $5,550.
How much does a cord of wood cost?
The cost of a cord of wood, the fuel burned by a conventional wood stove, is around $200. The average home uses about 7.3 tons of pellet fuel or 6.5 cords of wood per season. A ton of pellet fuel produces about 75% of the energy produced by a cord of wood, but pellet stoves are more efficient than wood stoves, which narrows ...
Is a pellet stove expensive?
However, the initial cost of the stove is steep and fuel costs are relatively high, making a pellet stove one of the more expensive heating options you can choose.
Is the initial cost of a pellet stove considered up front?
Initial Cost. Although the initial cost of a wood pellet stove is not technically part of the stove's operating cost, it's important to consider the up-front cost since it will cut into any savings you realize from the operation of the stove.

Pellet Stove Costs
- The cost of a pellet stove can vary depending on its size and features. If you’re planning on installing a pellet stove in your home, you should expect to pay between $1,500 - $5,000. This makes the pellet stove one of the more expensive heating alternatives for your home. Installing a pellet stove has high upfront costs compared to other heating o...
Running Costs
- There are a number of different suppliers of wood pellets, with Lignetics and Vermont Wood Pellet Company among the most well-known suppliers. Prices can vary depending on the quality and the types of wood pellets available. A 40-pound bag of wood pellet fuel costs between $4 to $9. You can also purchase wood pellets in bulk, which will save you money in the long run. For one ton o…
Pellet Stove Maintenance
- You should clean your pellet stove regularly to ensure that it is performing at its full potential. When cleaning a pellet stove, you should prioritize the burn chamber and the ventilation. Cleaning these areas will be as simple as removing any leftover ash. Just be sure that when cleaning your pellet stove that it is completely cool. Although a pellet stove should be cleaned regularly, it sho…
Price Factors
- Stove type
The choice to install either an insert or free-standing pellet stove can have a major influence on your upfront costs. A pellet stove insert will generally be more expensive than a free-standing stove, due to the need for holes to be cut in the wall, and the added chimney installation. A pelle… - Size
In most cases, the bigger and more powerful your pellet stove is, the more it will cost you. The size of the pellet stove doesn’t necessarily refer to the physical size of the pellet stove, but rather the British Thermal Units, or BTU rating. The higher the BTUs, the more you should expect to pa…
Financial Benefits
- If we go off of a cost-per-BTU basis then pellet stoves, once installed, are more affordable than fuel, propane, and electric heating options. A pellet stove operating at 85% efficiency will cost about $18 per million BTU. However, pellet stoves cost-per-BTU is far more expensive than wood-burning stoves. On average both wood and natural gas stoves will cost $13 per million BTU. Wit…
Rebates and Incentives
- As of January 2022, you’re able to claim a 26% tax credit for purchasing and installing a highly-efficient pellet stove. The 26% tax credit is uncapped and is based on the total cost of installation. On top of that, several states offer other tax rebates for purchasing pellet stoves, including New York and Alabama. However, the federal tax credit doesn’t apply to all pellet stoves. The tax cred…
Pellet Stove Pros and Cons
- Pros
1. Easy to use and maintain: With automatic ignition and power modulation a pellet stove is very easy for anyone to use. A pellet stove also doesn’t require any kindling or tending to once ignited. The cleaning process is also very easy with most pellet stove manuals providing step-by-step cl… - Cons
1. High upfront costs: When you compare the price of a brand-new furnace to the price of a pellet stove, it is clear that a pellet stove is very expensive. With some pellet stoves fetching more than double that of a new furnace, it can be hard to rationalize a pellet stove. 2. Mechanical noise: Wit…
Freestanding vs. Insert
Top-Fed vs. Bottom-Fed
- In a top-fed pellet stove, the pellets move from a hopper at the top of a stove down into the combustion chamber, whereas in a bottom-fed pellet stove, pellets are directed into the combustion chamber from the bottom and move up. Clean-up of a bottom-fed stove tends to be much easier.
The Size
- While the real size of a pellet range, and in particular the size of the pellet hopper, ought to be taken into account when determining your heating requirements, a more vital aspect is the heat load, determined in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per hour (Btu/h). According to Consumer Reports, you’ll require a pellet stove that puts out a minimum of 5,000 Btu/h in order to warm a 2…
Pellet Types
- A normal pellet stove burns pellets made from sawdust or woodchips. While the size of wood pellets is pretty uniform, there are 2 quality grades: premium (less than 1% ash material) and normal grade (anywhere between 1% and 3% ash material). It is also possible to purchase a multi-fuel pellet stove, which can burn not just wood pellets, but also those made from corn, wheat, ch…