There’s more to the cost of a pellet stove than the stove itself. The pellets themselves, called pellet fuel,  are costs that need to be included in the overall cost of owning and operating a pellet stove.

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.

Pellets/Pellet Fuel Costs: Because the production of pellets is dependent on the production of waste materials, the price can fluctuate according to the supply and demand of the primary commodity (the substance from which the waste is produced). Currently the average cost in Michigan ranges from $4.00 to $6.00 per 40-pound bag.  On average Softwood pellets are more expensive then Hardwood pellets because softwood pellets tend to be cleaner burning pellets that give off less ash.

Pellets are typically bought by the ton, and the average household using a pellet stove for supplemental heat goes through between 2 and 3 tons per heating season. In Michigan a ton of pellets —or 50 of those 40-pound bags—costs between $200 and $300. When using a pellet stove as the main source of heat, an average home uses about 7 tons of pellet fuel per season. You should also note that most pellet stoves have fans, controls and fuel-feeder systems that run on electricity, and the monthly electric bill for a typical stove is about $9.

How long does a 40-pound of wood pellets last?

This depends on the size of the space to be heated, the desired temperature, the building insulation, and the outdoor conditions. On a cold day, such as 35 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s not unusual to use one bag per day. Pellets can be purchased from us by the bag or by the ton.  

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.