Wood + pellet stove
Wood + Pellet Stove Cost Calculator
Installed-cost calculator for EPA-certified wood stoves, pellet stoves, pellet inserts, and masonry heaters.
Quick answer: small-to-medium wood stove $2,900–$8,800 installed. Pellet stove $3,000–$9,700. Catalytic large wood $4,600–$11,200. Premium masonry heater $13,000–$46,000. The 25C biomass credit ended Dec 31 2025.
Optional — auto-sets state
Installed cost · Medium wood stove (2000 sqft) · Vermont
$5,824
range $3,592 – $9,376
Annual fuel cost
$500 – $1,200/yr
Wood: 3-5 cords/yr at $200–$400/cord · Pellets: 3-5 tons/yr at $250–$350/ton
New to wood + pellet stoves?
EPA 2020-certified wood stoves emit 90% less particulate than 1980s models. Modern catalytic stoves achieve 80%+ efficiency with 12-18 hour burns. Pellet stoves use compressed wood pellets, auto-feed for unattended operation, and exhaust through smaller side-wall vents instead of a full chimney. Both require a building permit and hearth pad with proper R-value. Cleared installation distances vary by manufacturer; most need at least 36" from combustibles.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a wood or pellet stove cost installed?
Wood stove (small to medium): $2,900–$8,800 installed. Catalytic large wood stove: $4,600–$11,200. Pellet stove (small to medium): $3,000–$8,300. Large pellet stove: $4,200–$9,700. Pellet insert (fireplace retrofit): $4,000–$9,000. Premium masonry heater: $13,000–$46,000.
Wood vs pellet — which is cheaper to run?
Depends on local fuel prices. Wood at $200–$400/cord, you need 3–5 cords/yr = $600–$2,000. Pellets at $250–$350/ton, you need 3–5 tons/yr = $750–$1,750. Wood wins where you can source cheap cordwood (rural areas with available trees). Pellets win on convenience (auto-feed) and cleaner burn but require ongoing pellet purchases.
Is the 25C credit available for wood/pellet stoves in 2026?
No. The 25C credit for biomass stoves (was 30% up to $2,000) terminated December 31 2025 per OBBBA. Several states still have programs — Maine Efficiency, NYSERDA Clean Heat, Mass Save — but most have shrunk. Some pellet-stove manufacturers offer factory rebates ($100–$400) at the point of sale.
Wood stove vs heat pump for primary heat?
Heat pump is more convenient (no fuel handling, no chimney maintenance, no firewood) and cheaper to operate in most US climates. Wood stove makes sense as supplemental heat in cold-climate rural homes where (a) firewood is cheap or free, (b) outages are common, or (c) you want the aesthetics. Most modern off-grid and cabin setups pair a heat pump with a small wood stove for resilience.