CALL US TODAY
Open M-F, 9-5 CST
How Many Watts Does a Pellet Stove Use? Running and Startup Watts
A pellet stove uses about 125 to 200 watts while it runs and about 300 to 460 watts during startup, while the igniter lights the fire. US Stove rates its 5710 at 125 watts running and 310 watts with the igniter on, and Harman lists its P43 at 200 watts in standard use and 460 watts maximum. That is far less than an electric space heater, but a pellet stove still needs power: US Stove's manuals state the heater will not operate during a power outage.
Pellet stove watts by model
| Model | Running watts | Igniter / max watts | Electrical rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Stove 5710 | 125 W | 310 W (igniter running) | 110 to 120V, 3.0 A |
| Ashley Hearth AP5660 | 180 W | 346 W (igniter running) | 115 to 120V, 3.0 A |
| Harman P43 | 200 W standard use (1.7 A) | 460 W max (3.8 A) | 120V |
Sources: US Stove 5710 and AP5660 owner's manuals; Harman P43 owner's manual. Check your own stove's manual or rating label.
Where the power goes
ComfortBilt breaks down a pellet stove's parts: the igniter uses about 3.9 amps during lighting, the exhaust blower about 0.55 amps, the room blower about 0.7 amps, the auger motor about 0.55 amps when it runs, and the control panel about 0.03 amps. The igniter only runs at startup. Englander's 25-PDVC manual lists a 13 minute start-up cycle with its auto-start igniter.
How much electricity does a pellet stove use per day?
| Running watts | kWh per day (24 hours) | Cost per day at 17 cents |
|---|---|---|
| 125 W (US Stove 5710) | 3.0 kWh | About $0.51 |
| 180 W (Ashley AP5660) | 4.3 kWh | About $0.73 |
| 200 W (Harman P43) | 4.8 kWh | About $0.82 |
Our calculation, running all day at the listed watts.
What happens when the power goes out?
- The stove shuts down. US Stove says its heaters will not operate during a power outage. Englander says if power is interrupted for more than about three minutes, its unit will be off when power returns.
- Smoke can enter the room. Harman strongly recommends battery backup to minimize smoke entry if power is lost.
- Battery backup options from Harman. Harman approves two UPS models for safe shutdown only, not continued operation, and says its Surefire 512H runs the stove up to eight hours on a 12V deep-cycle battery.
- Surge protection. US Stove requires a power surge protector, and Englander highly recommends one because the control panel is electronic.
Running a pellet stove on backup power
With startup draws around 300 to 460 watts and running draws around 125 to 200 watts, a power station can keep a pellet stove going for many hours:
| Power station | Capacity / output | At 125 W | At 200 W | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh / 1,500 W | About 7.7 hours | About 4.8 hours | From $559 |
| Nature's Generator Lithium 1800 | 1,440 Wh / 1,800 W | About 10.4 hours | About 6.5 hours | $599.99 |
| Jackery HomePower 3000 | 3,072 Wh / 3,600 W | About 22 hours | About 13.8 hours | From $1,499 |
| Nature's Generator MyGrid 10K | 10,496 Wh / 10 kW | About 76 hours | About 47 hours | $5,999.99 with 50A automatic transfer switch |
Hours = capacity x 0.9 / watts. Capacity and output are from each product page. Check with your stove's maker before running it on any backup source, since Harman approves only specific battery products for its stoves.
A generator works for longer outages. The DuroMax XP5500HX (4,500 running watts, $629) has power to spare for the stove, a fridge, and lights. For a stove's electronic control board, we suggest an inverter generator such as the DuroStar DS8000iX (6,500 running watts, $999). Plug the stove into a surge protector, as US Stove requires. Run any generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from the house.
More winter outage tips: How to Stay Warm Without Power. Compare with space heater and furnace wattage.
Need help sizing? Call 1-888-855-7286. Send us your stove's model and electrical rating, and we will match you to a power station or generator.
Pellet stove wattage FAQ
How many watts does a pellet stove use? About 125 to 200 W running and 310 to 460 W at startup for the US Stove, Ashley, and Harman models above.
How many amps does a pellet stove use? About 1.7 amps in standard use for the Harman P43, with a 3.0 amp rating for the US Stove and Ashley models.
Does a pellet stove work without electricity? No. US Stove says its heaters will not operate during a power outage.
Can I run a pellet stove on a generator? Yes, if the generator covers the startup watts. Use a surge protector, as US Stove requires, and check your stove's manual for backup power guidance.
How long will a battery run a pellet stove? About 7.7 hours at 125 W on a 1,070 Wh Explorer 1000 v2, or about 22 hours on a 3,072 Wh HomePower 3000.