The average pellet stove installation costs $2,319, but it can range between $200 and $6,340, depending on factors like type, size, and features.
Pellet stove installation costs between $1,011 and $3,632. The average cost to install a pellet stove is $2,319, depending on the stove’s heating capacity and whether you choose a freestanding, wall-mounted, or insert stove. That includes around $1,000 to $3,000 for the materials, with the rest going toward labor. In addition to the upfront cost, you’ll pay an average of around $200 per month—or between $150 and $250—in the winter season to run your stove, including pellets and electricity.
In this guide, we’ll explain the cost of installing a pellet stove, how to calculate the cost to run a pellet stove, and more.
The average cost of a pellet stove is around $2,000 for the unit alone, excluding the labor cost to have it installed. Most homeowners pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for the materials, but that number can vary on a few factors. The primary determining cost factor is the size of the unit, but the cost can also vary based on the type of unit, your location, and any add-ons you include with the installation.
Since the unit size is the most important thing to consider to get an accurate estimate, you can use the table below to get a good idea of what your pellet stove installation will cost.
| Size in BTUs | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 9,000 | $800–$1,200 |
| 15,000 | $1,000–$1,500 |
| 20,000 | $1,500–$3,000 |
| 30,000 | $2,000–$3,500 |
| 50,000 | $3,000–$5,000 |
There are three primary types of pellet stoves, including the more traditional freestanding and wall- or window-mounted, as well as pellet stove inserts. The type you choose can affect costs in terms of both labor and materials.
| Type of Pellet Stove | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Wall or window mounted | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Freestanding | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Insert | $2,000 – $6,000 |
Wall- and window-mounted pellet stoves can heat spaces up to 1,000 square feet, and they typically cost between $1,000 and $5,000. Wall-mounted pellet stoves will cost a little more—usually around $250 to $400 more—than window-mounted pellet stoves because they require your professional to create an opening and install a wall sleeve, which pushes up labor costs.
Since window-mounted stoves use an attached window for ventilation, they allow you to skip potential labor costs associated with installing new vents, as well. Both types will still usually fall in the $1,000 to $5,000 range, though.
Freestanding pellet stoves are standalone stoves that look similar to wood-burning stoves. They cost about the same as window- and wall-mounted stoves, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, in most cases. However, they need at least one additional vent to work safely, so your pro will likely need to install a vent through the roof or a wall, which can drive up labor costs a bit. This usually compensates for the slightly lower unit cost, so they end up being about the same price.
You can also install a pellet stove directly into your existing fireplace. Pellet stove inserts typically cost $2,000 to $6,000, depending on their size and any additional features. A benefit of this stove type is that it can minimize the heat you'd naturally lose from your chimney by about 50%. Plus, it’s much more affordable to install a pellet stove insert than it is to pay the cost of removing the fireplace and then installing the pellet stove in a different location.
The price for inserts is higher than standard pellet stoves because the units themselves are usually more expensive. Labor charges will be about equal to what they would be for other types of pellet stoves.
It's smart to budget for the cost of operating a pellet stove since you'll need to spend money on pellets and electricity every month to keep the heat coming.
The largest ongoing expense for running a pellet stove will be the pellets. Most homeowners purchase a pallet or two of pellets at the start of the winter season, which averages around $350 for one ton—or 50 40-pound bags—of pellets. Individual bags average around $7.50 each, so you stand to save $25 per ton.
Most homeowners use one pallet of pellets every one to two months, which puts the ongoing cost of pellets for a three-month winter season between $525 and $1,050.
In addition to pellets, you’ll need to pay for electricity to run your machine, both for ignition and for feeding pellets into the burner. Most pellet stoves require 360 to 460 watts of electricity to ignite, and they continue to use 80 to 345 watts per hour to burn. On average, the cost of electricity will add up to around $10 per month.
Keep in mind that these numbers can vary quite a lot based on the outdoor temperature in your area, how well insulated your home is, and more.
You can expect to spend between $750 and $2,500 on a DIY pellet stove installation, the majority of which will go toward the unit. If you’re comfortable with the work, you stand to save between $250 and $1,000 on labor.
However, we recommend hiring a wood stove company near you to complete this project. Not only are pellet stoves heavy and hard to maneuver, but improper installation can lead to costly problems down the road and potential health hazards, including a risk of fire and poor indoor air quality from a lack of proper ventilation. Always leave this work to a professional to keep your home and your family safe.
Many pellet stoves come with the option for add-ons that can help your stove run more efficiently and safely, so it's a good idea to budget for them before your installation.
| Additional Feature | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Backup power supply | $150–$600 |
| CO detector | $10–$30 |
| Hopper extender | $150–$300 |
| Metal ash vacuum | $50–$140 |
| Vent brush | $30–$80 |
If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, you might want to invest in a backup power supply for your pellet stove so it can continue running even when the power goes out. Backup power supplies range from $150 to $600.
Adding a carbon monoxide detector near your pellet stove is an important safety measure that's highly recommended since it immediately alerts you and your household of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. They're also relatively inexpensive, ranging from $10 to $30, so they’re always worth the investment.
Typically, you’ll have to refill the standard hopper in your pellet stove around once per day in the winter months, depending on how large your space is, the temperature outside, and how well-insulated your home is. A hopper extender can double or triple the hopper capacity, reducing the frequency with which you have to refill the pellet stove manually.
Hopper extenders typically cost between $150 and $300. The price can fall outside of this range, though, and keep in mind that the extenders aren’t universal, so you’ll usually have to buy one directly from your stove’s manufacturer.
The ash pan of a pellet stove can get really dirty, and if it starts to overflow, things can get pretty messy and tough to clean. Metal ash vacuums usually cost $50 to $140 and they can make cleaning the pan much faster and easier.
The vents around a pellet stove can also get pretty dirty over time, making them less effective and potentially increasing the risk of poor indoor air quality or even dangerous gases like carbon monoxide in your home. You can purchase a vent brush for $30 to $80 to help keep your vents clean, safe, and in good working order.
Talk a walk on the modern side with an advanced smart thermostat for your pellet stove. A smart thermostat allows you to adjust your stove’s heat output from anywhere. Wake up in the middle of the night a little warmer than you like? Grab your phone and change the settings, which will make your fireplace crank down the heat with the help of technology. Smart thermostats for pellet stoves cost $15 to $250 to purchase.
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Pellet stoves are used as heat sources for homes. They work by burning biomass pallets, which might be composed of wood, sawdust, or food waste. The pellets are stored in the stove's hopper until the stove is ignited, at which point some are released into the stove's firebox to burn for heat. Unlike most fireplaces, pellet stoves have a thermostat that adjusts the temperature by releasing more or fewer pellets, depending on how warm you want to make your living space.
Pellet stoves are much more energy efficient than traditional fireplaces, and the pellets they burn create fewer emissions, leaving indoor and outdoor air cleaner. Plus, the biomass pellets are made from recycled materials, making them even more eco-friendly. You can also adjust the temperature of a pellet stove and go about most of your day without needing to tend to it.
Having a pellet stove can indeed raise your insurance rates since they're a relatively common cause of fires in the home. However, rate increases vary by insurance provider so you should reach out to yours to determine exactly how much your rates might increase with a new pellet stove install.
A quality pellet stove that receives proper maintenance should last you about 15 to 20 years. However, how long a pellet stove lasts depends on how well you care for it over the years and how often you call on it for heat. Proper maintenance—including cleaning the vents periodically, vacuuming the ash pan when it gets full, and refreshing the pellets when needed—can help your pellet stove last longer.
There are several maintenance tips you should take to ensure your pellet stove's safety and proper maintenance. You should vacuum the ash pan every week to prevent overflowing and clean the stove and surrounding vents every three to four months. It’s also important to get a professional inspection every year and install a carbon monoxide detector close to your stove. Be sure to dispose of hot ashes in a closed metal container; store it outside, away from the house. Only use the pellets recommended by your stove's manufacturer, and follow any cleaning and maintenance instructions.
