What Is The Average Pellet Stove Installation Cost?
Most homeowners spend between $1,390 to $3,114 nationally.
Get free estimates from local contractors who can Install a Pellet Stove.

Heating a home or apartment can take a big bite out of your monthly budget. That's why pellet stoves have become a preferred energy source for many people. Instead of using cut logs, pellet stoves burn small pellets made from recycled wood, corn or nutshells, making them a sustainable, earth-friendly heating option. With their varied designs, there's a pellet stove for every home or apartment. This handy guide offers information about the different types of pellet stoves, pricing, the pros and cons of purchasing a pellet stove and how to find a professional in your area.
If you're interested in adding a pellet stove to your home, ImproveNet can help you connect with local professionals.
National Install a Pellet Stove Costs
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$7,994
Median Cost$150
Min Cost$217,000
Max Cost
$1,390
to
$3,114
National Average Cost | $7,994 |
Minimum Cost | $150 |
Maximum Cost | $217,000 |
Average Range | $1,390 to $3,114 |
How do we get this data? This info is based on 43 cost profiles, as reported by ImproveNet members.
Table of Contents
- Pellet Stove Prices
- Pellet Stove Cost Breakdown
- Pellet Stove Types And Their Costs
- Pellet Stove Basics
- Pellet Stove Advantages
- Pellet Stove Disadvantages
- Best Pellet Stove Inserts
- Find A Masonry Contractor
Pellet Stove Prices
While some homeowners choose freestanding pellet stoves, others opt for pellet stove inserts. Freestanding models come in two types: top-fed and bottom-fed. Freestanding or insert pellet stove prices range from roughly $1,500 to $4,000.
Freestanding Pellet Stoves vs. Pellet Stove Inserts
You can install a freestanding pellet stove in many areas of your home. Some require venting through an existing chimney or fireplace, while others are vent-free. A pellet stove insert fits inside the firebox of an existing fireplace and vents through the chimney. Some products come with installation and a chimney liner to prevent heavy chimney cleaning costs. Installation for a freestanding pellet stove averages from $250 to $600, and installation for a fireplace insert averages from $1,000 to $2,000.
Top-Fed vs. Bottom-Fed Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves come with a top-fed system or a bottom-fed system for moving pellets into the combustion chamber. With a top-fed design, an angled
Pellet Stove Cost Breakdown
There are several cost considerations when you're thinking about getting a pellet stove. In addition to the stove and installation, you should budget for pellets and venting if required. Freestanding stoves benefit from a heat-resistant, non-combustible hearth pad, and an ash vacuum and vent brush help keep stoves safe and clean. Even though pellet stoves have a reliable safety record, a carbon monoxide detector offers double protection. A backup power supply ensures you can use your pellet stove, even during a power outage.
Pellet Stove Accessories |
Cost |
Pellets |
40-lb. bags: $4 – $6 Ton: $150 |
Ceiling vent (if needed) |
$600 – $800 |
Hearth pad |
$40 – $300 |
Ash vacuum |
$100 – $200 |
Vent brush |
$15 – $35 |
Carbon monoxide detector |
$10 – $15 |
Backup power supply |
$150 – $500 |
You might not require all of these items. The accessories you need depend on the type of pellet stove you purchase.
Pellet Stove Types And Their Costs
Pellet stoves come in a variety of design styles, from traditional to modern. With a vast supply of products on the market, it helps to evaluate a few popular brands and their prices. The table below offers a comparison of freestanding pellet stoves, with more information about fireplace inserts.
Brand |
Design Style |
BTUs |
Average Price |
Wittus Toba |
Modern |
34,000 |
$4,950 |
Harman Accentra |
Traditional |
40,000 |
$3,900 |
Lopi Leyden |
Traditional |
45,000 |
$3,700 |
Enviro Empress |
Traditional |
35,000 |
$3,200 |
Drolet ECO-65 |
Contemporary |
65,000 |
$3,100 |
Knowing a little more about the inner workings of a pellet stove helps you make the best purchasing decision for your home.
Pellet Stove Basics
Instead of loading logs into a fireplace or wood stove, you fill a storage hopper with pellets. These are fed automatically into a combustion chamber (or burn pot) through the augur, creating a continual flame with no tending required. A convection fan circulates the warm air through heat exchange tubes to heat the room. A few additional parts help keep pellet stoves functioning:
- Grille: Allows outside air to reach the burn pot
- Intake vent: Pulls indoor air in
- Exhaust vent: Removes combustion gases
- Combustion fan: Pulls outdoor air and exhaust gases in
- Ash pan: Collects unburnt debris and ash
The heating capacity of a pellet stove ranges between 8,000 and 90,000 BTUs per hour. Short for British Thermal Units, BTUs measure heat energy. Determining the BTUs you need depends on the size of the space you're heating, the number of windows in the room, outdoor temperatures, your home's insulation
Pellet Stove Advantages
Pellet stoves offer a number of advantages over other heat sources. With direct venting, many don't require a chimney or flue, which makes them less expensive to install than wood stoves. Pellet stoves are quicker and easier to operate than fireplaces and woodstoves. Because heating is more efficient, pellet stoves produce
Pellet Stove Disadvantages
Despite many benefits, pellet stoves also come with a few disadvantages. Generally, pellet stoves heat one room very well, but a fan is required to move warm air into other spaces. Pellet stoves have a more complex design than woodstoves and fireplaces, meaning more parts may require potential repair compared to needing fireplace repairs. Because pellet stoves run on electricity, they won't work during a power outage without a backup power supply, and they emit a low, mechanical hum. For safety purposes, pellet stoves require weekly cleaning and annual servicing by a professional. Lastly, fires built in a pellet stove with a viewable firebox aren't as appealing to look at as blazes lit from wood in a fireplace are.
Best Pellet Stove Inserts
A fire in an open hearth offers about 10% heat efficiency or 20% with glass doors. According to the Department of Energy, homeowners who install a pellet stove insert into a fireplace box increase heating efficiency to between 70 and 83%. The table below offers a comparison of popular pellet stove insert brands.
Brand |
Design Style |
BTUs |
Average Price |
Quadra Fire Santa Fe |
Contemporary/Traditional |
38,700 |
$2,600 |
Englander |
Traditional |
25,100 |
$2,000 |
US Stove Company American Harvest |
Traditional |
52,000 |
$1,900 |
Enviro Milan |
Contemporary/Traditional |
34,000 |
$3,400 |
Once you've found the perfect fireplace insert or freestanding pellet stove for your home, it's time to locate a professional in your area for installation. If you don't like the look of a freestanding pellet stove, you might consider installing a fireplace with your desired aesthetic.
Find A Masonry Contractor
Among many other home appliances, pellet stoves help keep homes or apartments warm and cozy during periods of cold weather. ImproveNet can help you find local professionals to get your pellet stove installed and working in a jiffy.