How Much Electricity Does A Pellet Stove Use?

A pellet stove is a type of heat source that burns compressed wood or other biomass pellets. But just how much electricity does a pellet stove use? Look no further. We have researched all about pellet stoves for you and have the answer in this post.

A pellet stove uses an average of one KWh (kilowatt-hour) a day if it is running for eight hours. 100 watts an hour is about how much energy a pellet stove uses plus the energy used during the ignition process. This usage translates to about $750 each year in the U.S.A.

Please continue reading to learn more about how much it costs to run a pellet stove, the pros and cons of owning one, whether or not a pellet stove can heat a whole house, and more. We will be teaching you all you need to know about pellet stoves.

A burning pellet stove inside house, How Much Electricity Does A Pellet Stove Use?

All About Pellet Stoves

A pellet stove is an energy-efficient heat source for many homes and sometimes industrial areas. They use the most energy during ignition therefore you should not start them up more times than necessary. Pellet stoves are most often utilized as a supplementary heat source but can be the primary heat source if you so choose.

The way the energy of pellet stoves is measured is by adding how many watts per hour plus the 500 watts it takes to ignite the pellets. This adds up to about one KWh when it is running for eight hours without being ignited multiple times.

Pellet stoves work by burning either biomass pellets or compressed wood. Biomass pellets contain wood residue such as shavings and sawdust from wood processing industries.

Experts test quality pellets to be sure they meet environmental standards. The primary rule is that they cannot contain chemicals. If the pellets you buy have not been tested, they may cause problems for your pellet stove.

There is a storage container built into the pellet stove, which feeds into a burn pot space. Modern models do not have a blower and are known as natural convection stoves. They are not as loud, and they consume less electricity.

Pellet stoves emit a constant flame. This is significant because they provide steady heat. The newer models allow you to see the dancing flames giving the room a more relaxing feel.

Click here to see this Comfortbilt Pellet Stove on Amazon.

How Much Energy Does a Pellet Stove Use?

The amount of energy a pellet stove uses is dependent on a few factors. The typical pellet stove uses between 400 and 800 watts of power to operate the fan. They run from 120-volt ac power. Pellet stoves use approximately 100 kilowatts per hour.

Modern pellet stoves use a built-in thermostatic control. That thermostat uses sensors that control the output of heat. The sensor then allows the pellet stove to maintain the temperature that you have set for the desired space.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Pellet Stove?

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • They have electric igniters
  • It has a thermostat that switches the stove on and off automatically
  • You do not need to have a chimney
  • Cost-effective as a supplementary heat source
  • Low particle emissions
  • Heats the space well
  • Carbon neutral
  • It gives the central heating system a break
  • Some models have additional functions such as wireless controls
  • It can be installed almost anywhere
  • The installation process is less than when installing a wood-burning stove
  • Wood is less expensive than gas
  • Certain models are actually convertible, meaning they can take wooden logs as well as pellets
  • Allows you to wait longer to turn on central heating

Cons

  • Not as visually aesthetic as traditional wood-burning stoves
  • Pellets are somewhat expensive
  • Pellet stoves are more expensive than wood-burning stoves
  • A tube must be installed for the forced ventilation
  • Bags of pellets are heavy therefore difficult to transfer from place to place
  • Pellet bags take up space
  • They can require maintenance
  • They are somewhat noisy

Wood Pellets

Another major factor that can be a pro or a con is that you will also need a designated area for your stockpile of pellets. The typical sizes available for pellet bags are twenty pounds and forty pounds. You will need to store your wood pellets in a dry room.

Click here to see this 20 lb bag on Amazon.

A forty-pound bag of pellets is the most commonly purchased size. The forty-pound of wood pellets is the most common because that amount can provide up to twenty-four hours of heat in a 1,500 square foot home or space.

Click here to see this set of 40 lb bag of pellets on Amazon.

Can Pellet Stoves Heat a Whole House?

Wood stove heating with in foreground wood pellets

The answer to this question varies depending on the size of the home. It also depends on how well insulated the walls are. As long as you install the correct size pellet stove in proportionate to the size of the home, it should be able to heat the whole house efficiently.

There are two types of pellet stoves. One type heats water in order to distribute and circulate the heat around the house. The other type of pellet stove blows out hot air to heat the whole home.

For the pellet stoves that blow out hot air, you must be sure you have good circulation throughout your home. If you do not have great airflow or circulation of air in your home, you should strategically place fans to distribute the heat better.

As long as your pellet stove is the right size proportionate to the size of your home, then it should be capable of heating the whole house.

Can You Run a Pellet Stove 24/7?

Yes, you can run your pellet stove for up to twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week if you so choose. Producers manufacture the stoves with this goal in mind. So, you just have to stay on top of whatever maintenance is suggested by the manufacturer.

If you were to run your pellet stove for twenty-four hours, it would cost about fifty-eight cents per day. But this cost can vary if the price of electricity is higher at the time, such as during peak hours.

Pellet stoves are designed to be safe when unattended as long as they are taken care of properly. They provide consistent heat, so running them all day every day will work to maintain the temperature that you desire.

How Much Does it Cost to Run a Pellet Stove per Year?

Human hand holding biomass pellets by a fireplace

On average, the cost of using a pellet stove is $750 per year. It is more expensive to run a pellet stove in more populated areas. Just like most other things in life, the more populated the area, the more you pay.

Pellets cost about $160 to $250 per ton. Homeowners typically need two or three tons of pellet fuel to get them through the winter. The difference in dollar amount means the cost varies based on how often you run your stove and for how many months of the year.

If you live somewhere that is cold more often than not; then it will cost more to run a pellet stove. For those who live where you experience all four seasons, you will not need to spend as much.

The cost of electricity varies from state to state. Electricity, which we measure in kilowatts, is more expensive during peak hours.

One thing to consider is that the temperature you desire affects the overall cost as well. The cost is affected by personal preferences. So, if you prefer your house to be on the warmer side, you will therefore need to burn more pellets which will cost more in the long run.

How do I Choose the Size of my Pellet Stove?

You can determine the size of your pellet stove based on how large your home is. If you have a 2,400 square foot home or space, you will need between 75,000 and 145,000 BTUs. A smaller home of 1,500 square feet requires about 45,000 to 90,000 BTUs.

You must get the right size pellet stove for the space you are wanting to heat. The manufacturer notes will tell you how many square feet that particular pellet stove can heat efficiently. You may need to install more than one pellet stove within your home to heat the whole space, especially if you have a home that is bigger than 1,500 square feet.

If your pellet stove is too large, the pellets will end up smoldering instead of burning, which will result in an excessive amount of smoke. On the other hand, if it is too small, you might burn the pellets without heating the room.

How Many Bags of Wood Pellets will I Need for a Winter's Supply?

How Many Bags of Wood Pellets will I Need for a Winter's Supply? - Solid-fuel boiler with pellet-fuel in boiler room

In order to have enough bags of wood pellets for a winter's supply, you will need, on average, between one hundred to one hundred and fifty forty-pound bags. So, if you live somewhere with an extremely cold climate, you will likely need more than that and vice versa.

Can a Pellet Stove Run Without Electricity?

modern wood pellet stove

No, a pellet stove cannot run without electricity. The reason for this is that pellet stoves have an ignition system, a pellet feeding process, and electronic controls. Therefore, pellet stoves also need electricity to be able to run the thermostat and fans inside.

In Closing

How much electricity a pellet stove uses varies based on whether or not it is the only heat source, how often it is used, the size of the home or space you wish to heat, how well the walls are insulated, and the desired temperature. On average, a pellet stove uses 100 watts per hour which translates to approximately $750 per year.

Before you go, check out the following links related to other projects that you may be interested in:

How To Start A Fire Pit [A Complete Guide]

Does An Oil Furnace Need Electricity?

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