Prices range from about $1,700 to $3,000 for the stove and from $150 to $400 for installation. When comparing prices of pellet stoves with those of wood stoves, remember that pellet stoves offer a substantial savings; they don't require installation of a full-height conventional chimney or flue, the most costly part of some fireplace and wood stove installations.

How does the cost of pellets compare with the cost of wood? On face value, pellets are more expensive, at $130 to $200 per ton, compared with firewood, which runs from $100 to $175 per cord. But comparing a ton to a cord is a bit like comparing a pound to an inch.

One ton of pellets consists of 50 bags that weigh 40 pounds each. A cord of wood, which typically measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet (128 cubic feet) is purchased by volume, a measurement that includes the spaces between stacked logs and the moisture in wood that can't be converted to heat (20 percent to 30 percent). As a rule, one ton of pellets is roughly equivalent to about 1 1/2 cords of wood.

It's better to evaluate usage. Wood stove users burn from 3 to 4 cords of wood per year. An average pellet stove will use from 1 to 3 tons of pellets per year. Figuring in the costs above, pellets are often less expensive than cord wood. Of course, with pellets you also save on the time and energy needed to stack and carry wood, and you need less storage space; pellets can be stored in only one-third the space needed for cord wood.

Don't forget that there must be an affordable source of pellets nearby. Because freight is a big part of the cost of pellets, the proximity of sources is key. Most of the pellet mills in the United States and Canada are located near lumber mills, furniture manufacturing, or millwork plants. Be sure to ask your wood stove dealer about sources and prices. Also check large grocery and home-improvement stores, discount chains, nurseries, and feed-and-garden supply stores.

More about Pellet Stoves:

• Pellet Stoves Buying Guide
• Advantages and Drawbacks of Pellet Stoves
• How a Pellet Stove Works

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