When people first think about alternative heating fuels, they often land on either a pellet stove or a wood stove option. Buying one or both of these types of stoves can come with a hefty price tag.
The cost associated with adding a wood stove or pellet stove should also include installation, as this is often a cost not thought about before conducting initial research. We’ll break down why pellet stoves are so expensive.
Pellet Stove and Wood Stove Costs
First, pellet stoves and wood stoves can range in cost from $1,500 upwards to a few thousand dollars. On the pellet stove side, you have to consider the fact that these are electrical appliances. So not only do you need all the materials needed to contain a fire, but a pellet stove includes mechanical parts.
Electricity is needed to run the auger and any automatic features – like a thermostat or other customized settings. These features require some computer pieces, which will always increase the cost. And the more features, the higher the cost of the pellet stove.
The cost will also vary by the pellet or wood stove size. You can expect to pay a higher price if you have a large stove with a large hopper.
Lastly is quality. Just like all things, a higher quality appliance will command a higher price. You can find a stove for less than $1000, but you may need to replace it more frequently than a higher quality, and higher-priced, stove.
Pellet Stove Installation Costs
If you want to ensure safety for yourself and your house, you’ll want to have your pellet stove or wood stove installed professionally. You’ll want to consider this added cost when budgeting your switch to alternative heating.
Depending on the placement of the stove and the difficulty of the venting needed, you can expect to spend anywhere from $250 to a thousand dollars or more. But keep in mind that it’s extremely important that these stoves are installed correctly. Without proper ventilation, you can cause serious harm to you or your loved ones.
After you budget for the actual stove, you’ll want to compare the operating costs of using a pellet stove. After you do this you can determine your true break-even point and whether a pellet stove or wood stove will be a cost savings to you.
