How many bags of pellets do I need for the winter?
Short answer
Running a pellet stove 12 hours a day on medium (about 3 lb an hour) for a 150-day season burns about 5,400 lb: 135 bags of 40 lb, or 2.7 tons.
Work it out for your numbers
Bags to buy
135 40 lb bags
- Pellets
- 5,400 lb
- Tons
- 2.7 tons
- Pallets (50 bags of 40 lb)
- 2.7
- Cost for the season
- $877.50
Bags for a 150-day season
| Setting | 8 hours a day | 12 hours a day | 24 hours a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (1.5 lb/hr) | 45 bags (0.9 tons) | 68 bags (1.35 tons) | 135 bags (2.7 tons) |
| Medium (3 lb/hr) | 90 bags (1.8 tons) | 135 bags (2.7 tons) | 270 bags (5.4 tons) |
| High (4.5 lb/hr) | 135 bags (2.7 tons) | 203 bags (4.05 tons) | 405 bags (8.1 tons) |
40 lb bags. A pallet is usually 50 bags, or one ton.
How long a bag lasts
A 40 lb bag lasts about 27 hours on low, 13 hours on medium and 9 hours on high. Check your stove’s manual for its actual burn rate on each setting, which is usually listed in pounds per hour.
Budgeting
At an example price of $6.50 a bag, 135 bags is about $878 for the season. Prices vary a lot by region and by when you buy.
Tips
- Buy in spring or summer, when prices are usually lowest.
- Store bags off the ground and out of the rain. Damp pellets swell, crumble and jam the auger.
- Premium pellets with low ash mean less cleaning and steadier heat.
- A lower setting for more hours often uses fewer pellets than cycling on high.
Common questions
How many tons of pellets do I need for a winter?
Most homes that heat mainly with a pellet stove burn 2 to 3 tons. Running 12 hours a day on medium for 150 days is 2.7 tons.
How long does a 40 lb bag of pellets last?
About 13 hours on medium, 27 on low and 9 on high.
How many bags are in a ton of pellets?
50 bags of 40 lb, usually one pallet.
Updated October 29, 2026. Figures are estimates for planning. Check product labels and local codes before you buy or build.