How Much Do Pellet Stoves Cost in 2025?
The average pellet stove costs $2,346
Most homeowners spend between $1,015 and $3,678 to install a pellet stove, with an average cost of $2,346.
Your costs will vary based on the stove type, size in BTUs, and installation labor.
Pellet stoves offer efficient heating, helping you lower your energy bills and reduce your environmental impact.
Professional installation and regular maintenance ensure your pellet stove operates safely and efficiently.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Installing a pellet stove costs between $200 and $6,500, with most homeowners spending around $2,346. Your total cost depends on factors like the stove type, size, quality, and where you install it in your home. Investing in professional installation ensures your pellet stove operates safely and efficiently. Regular maintenance keeps it running optimally and can lead to long-term savings on your heating bills.
Pellet Stove Cost Factors
Several factors impact the final cost of a pellet stove, including the stove's BTU rating (size), the labor required for installation, and add-ons.
Size
The British Thermal Unit (BTU) rating indicates the heating capacity of a pellet stove, directly impacting both the cost of the unit and its ability to heat your space effectively. The higher the BTU rating, the more expensive the stove will be. When selecting a pellet stove, it's important to choose a unit with a BTU rating appropriate for your home's size and layout. Factors like high ceilings, multiple stories, poor insulation, and floor plan layout (open vs. compartmentalized) can influence the heat required to maintain comfortable temperatures.
The table below offers a guide to BTU ratings and their associated unit costs.
| BTUs | Unit 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 |
Labor
Labor costs for installing a pellet stove vary depending on the type of stove, the complexity of the installation, venting requirements, and your home's existing infrastructure. Installing a freestanding pellet stove often involves less labor than inserting a stove into an existing fireplace, especially if chimney modifications are necessary. The average labor cost ranges from $250 to $1,000 for standard installations.
For fireplace insert installations, labor costs can be higher due to the need to retrofit the existing fireplace, install a new chimney liner, and ensure proper venting. Installing a chimney liner costs between $625 and $5,000, depending on the liner material and chimney height.
Other factors affecting labor costs include the accessibility of the installation site, any necessary electrical work, and local labor rates. Obtaining quotes from multiple licensed pellet stove professionals is recommended to ensure you receive a fair price for the installation.
Add-Ons
There are a few items you’ll need to install along with your pellet stove to ensure safe and efficient operation. The table below outlines the most common add-ons homeowners incorporate into pellet stove installation.
| Add-On | Cost Range | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon monoxide detector | $10–$30 | Detects carbon monoxide leaks |
| Backup power supply | $150–$600 | Allows the stove to work during a power outage |
| Metal ash vacuum | $50–$140 | Cleans the stove’s ash pans |
| Vent brush(es) | $30–$80 | Cleans the stove’s vents |
| Hopper extender | $150–$300 | Increases hopper capacity to reduce frequent refills |
| Smart thermostat | $15–$250 | Allows remote or mobile heat output adjustments |
Pellet Stove Costs by Type
While all pellet stoves burn pellets to create heat, there are three main types that vary in design, functionality, and cost.
| Type of Pellet Stove | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Freestanding | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Window-mounted | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Pellet stove inserts | $2,000–$6,000 |
Freestanding
Freestanding pellet stoves cost between $1,000 and $5,000, resembling traditional wood-burning stoves. The advantage of a freestanding stove is that you don't need a fireplace, giving you flexibility in where you place it in your home. Just make sure to install it on a fireproof surface, like a fireproof pad or non-combustible flooring.
Window-Mounted
Window- or wall-mounted pellet stoves cost between $1,000 and $5,000. These stoves are ideal for heating small spaces up to 1,000 square feet. Since they vent directly outdoors, you don't need a chimney. Plus, window-mounted pellet stoves can be styled to look like a fireplace, adding a cozy touch to your space.
Pellet Stove Inserts
Pellet stove inserts cost between $2,000 and $6,000. These inserts are installed into your existing fireplace, essentially turning it into a pellet stove. Traditional fireplaces can lose up to 80% of their heat through the chimney, but with a pellet stove insert, you can reduce that loss to about 30%, making your home more energy-efficient.
Cost to Run a Pellet Stove
Before installing a pellet stove, it's important to consider the ongoing costs to run it, including the price of pellets and electricity. Expect to pay around $200 monthly—or between $150 and $250 in the winter season—for pellets and electricity.
Pellets
Wood pellets cost around $7.50 for a 40-pound bag, but you can save by purchasing them in pallets of 50 bags (one ton) for about $350. How many pellets you'll need depends on your stove's size and efficiency, how often you use it, and the temperature you set. On average, homeowners spend around $150 to $250 per month on pellets during the winter season.
Electricity
Pellet stoves use electricity to operate, requiring about 360 to 460 watts to ignite and between 80 and 345 watts per hour to run, which adds up to $10 per month to your electricity bill. You can check your owner's manual for exact usage and multiply it by your local electricity rates for a precise estimate.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Pellet Stove Installer
While installing a pellet stove yourself might seem like a way to save money, it's usually not worth the risk. Improper installation can pose serious safety hazards, reduce your stove's efficiency, and shorten its lifespan. Models that are installed DIY tend to break more often, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards. Hiring a local pellet stove installer ensures they have the expertise to install your stove safely and efficiently, giving you peace of mind.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper care and maintenance, your pellet stove can last between 15 and 20 years. Regularly cleaning the vents, vacuuming the ash pan, and following the manufacturer's guidelines will help keep it running efficiently. Scheduling routine professional inspections and promptly addressing any repairs will ensure your stove provides reliable heat and operates safely for many years.
Installing a pellet stove can increase your home insurance rates because insurers consider them a fire risk. However, maintaining your stove correctly and ensuring it's installed by a professional installer can help minimize this risk. It's best to contact your insurance provider to find out how a pellet stove might affect your premiums.
Pellet stoves work by automatically feeding compressed biomass fuel into a combustion chamber to produce heat. When you set the thermostat to your desired temperature, the stove releases pellets into the firebox. Dual fans distribute warmth throughout your space while efficiently expelling exhaust. Integrated sensor technology ensures precise fuel delivery and consistent performance during the heating cycle.
Pellet stoves are highly efficient, converting biomass fuel into heat at a rate of 70% to 83%. Their advanced design, often with pellet inserts and sensor-controlled feed systems, minimizes heat loss and maximizes energy output. This efficiency can help reduce your energy bills while providing consistent, effective heating for your home.
There are several benefits to installing a pellet stove. They are easy to use—unlike other types of stoves, pellet stoves have electric igniters that make it simple to light them. Many models also offer conveniences like remote and smartphone control options. Another major benefit is that pellet stoves emit fewer particulates than other types, making them a cleaner option for your home. Plus, you don't need a chimney since smoke is removed by forced ventilation through a tube.
Always be mindful when you're near a pellet stove to avoid burns. You can install a guard or gate around the stove to keep pets and kids from accidentally touching the hot surface. When disposing of hot ashes, place them in a metal container, cover it with a lid, and store it away from your home. Make sure you're also using the correct pellets by double-checking the manufacturer's recommendations.
Get our Angi-powered app
