Pellets for 800 sq ft, by climate
Pellets as the only heat, average insulation, a typical 80% stove and pellets of about 8,200 BTU a pound. Bags are 40 lb, and the cost is at $7 a bag.
| Climate | 40 lb bags | Tons | Bags a day | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild (15 kBTU per sq ft) | 46 | 0.9 | 0.3 | $322 |
| Moderate (30 kBTU per sq ft) | 92 | 1.8 | 0.6 | $644 |
| Cold (45 kBTU per sq ft) | 138 | 2.7 | 0.9 | $966 |
| Very cold (60 kBTU per sq ft) | 183 | 3.7 | 1.2 | $1,281 |
By insulation, as the only heat or half of it
Bags for a winter in a moderate climate. Use the half column if a furnace or another heater does the rest.
| Insulation | All the heat | Half the heat |
|---|---|---|
| Well insulated | 74 | 37 |
| Average | 92 | 46 |
| Poor or drafty | 115 | 58 |
A small house or cabin: buying by the bag
At 800 sq ft the whole winter is 92 bags, 1.8 tons, or 1.8 pallets of 50 bags. Many owners of a small place buy a few bags at a time; buying the winter's supply before the season, about $644 at $7 a bag, avoids the empty shelves of the first cold snap.
On an average day of a 150-day season the stove burns about 0.6 bag, so a pallet of 50 bags lasts about 82 days. In a cold climate the same cabin takes 138 bags, so check which row of the climate table matches your winters.
These are planning estimates: the climate and insulation figures are rough values, and a stove burns more in a cold snap than on an average day. Buy a little extra and keep the bags dry and off the floor.
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Frequently asked questions
How many bags of pellets to heat an 800 sq ft house?
About 92 bags of 40 lb (1.8 tons) for a winter in a moderate climate, with average insulation, an 80% stove and pellets as the only heat. That is about 0.6 bags a day over 150 days.
How long does a 40 lb bag of pellets last in a small house?
About 1.6 days on average for 800 sq ft in a moderate climate, since the winter takes 92 bags over 150 days. It goes faster in a cold snap and slower in mild weeks.
How many pallets of pellets for a small house?
For 800 sq ft in a moderate climate the estimate is 92 bags, so 2 pallets of 50 bags, rounded up. In a cold climate it is 138 bags, or 3 pallets.
Related sizes and guides
Related sizes
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.