How long will a 40 lb. bag of pellets last?

Understanding the heat setting or “burn rate” on your stove or insert is crucial, as it determines how long a bag of pellets will last.

Calculating How Many Pellet Bags You Need

A highly efficient fuel, one pound of wood pellets will produce approximately 8,000 BTUs of heat. So, if you are burning pellets on the “low” setting, say 1.5 lb./hour (or 12,000 BTU), a bag will last about 26 hours. (40 lbs. divided by 1.5 lbs./hour = 26.67 hours.)

If you need a lot of heat, burning five pounds per hour (8,000 BTU x 5 lbs./hour = 40,000 BTU) will make one bag last about eight hours (40 lbs. divided by 5 lbs./hour = 8 hours).

Pellet equipment has various settings, depending on how cold it is outside and the amount of heat you need to stay comfortable. If your stove operates on a thermostat, the burn rate will automatically vary depending on the temperature setting.

Variables That Affect How Many Bags of Pellets You Need

Of course, pellets are like any other fuel, and various factors will influence how much of it you will use. Besides weather and how insulated your house is, pellet fuel has these unique requirements: 

  • Maintenance: how well you clean your stove will affect airflow and efficiency.
  • Stove efficiency: The higher the rating, the more heat you retain
  • Pellet quality: This includes Softwood versus hardwood, moisture content, etc

Softwood VS Hardwood Pellets – Is there a difference?

Yes! And it is the opposite of what you may think. On a wood stove, hardwood is preferable as it is denser (heavier). However, when you pelletize Softwood or hardwood, they weigh the same. (a pound is a pound is a pound, after all). 

Since 40 lbs of Softwood and hardwood weigh the same, pound-per-pound softwood pellets will produce 10% to 20% more BTU. Why? Softwood contains more resins (sap), which burns cleaner and hotter—this Results in more BTUs per bag of pellets but less ashes and cleaning. 

Is Pellet Burning a Good Alternative For Me?

This handy calculator can help determine whether you can save on your heating bill. 

Better yet, swing by your local WE LOVE FIRE® dealer, who can answer all your questions about the best way to heat your house. They carry various electric, gas, wood, and pellet heating appliances and can help you make the right decisions for your unique needs. 

Below is a list of fireplace and grill stores that service Quebec (QC)

Bonaventure, QC

Marcel Dionne et fils Inc
338, av de Port-Royal Ouest,
Bonaventure, QC G0C 1E0

Marcel Dionne et fils Inc LogoVisit Store Page

Delson, QC

Agrémat – Espace chaleur
188, ch. St-François Xavier
Delson, QC J5B 1X9

Agrémat – Espace chaleur LogoVisit Store Page

Gatineau, QC

Au Centre Du Foyer De L'Outaouais
1193 Boul St-Joseph
Gatineau, QC J8Z 2C3

Au Centre Du Foyer De L'Outaouais LogoVisit Store Page

Laval, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
1070 Montée Masson
Laval, QC H7C 2R2

Longueuil, QC

Boutique Chaleur
620 Boul Therrien
Longueuil, QC J4H 3V9

Boutique Chaleur LogoVisit Store Page

Mirabel, QC

Agrémat
13755 Rue de la Chapelle
Mirabel, QC J7J2C9

Agrémat LogoVisit Store Page

Quebec City, QC

Maconnex
5690 Boulevard Pierre-Bertrand Nord
Quebec City, QC G2J 1B7

Maconnex LogoVisit Store Page

Rimouski, QC

Marcel Dionne et fils Inc
905 Lausanne
Rimouski, QC G5L 8Y9

Marcel Dionne et fils Inc LogoVisit Store Page

Saguenay, QC

Maconnex
2223, boulevard Saint-Paul
Saguenay, QC G7K 1E5

Maconnex LogoVisit Store Page

Saint-Basile-le-Grand, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
77 boul. Sir Wilfrid-Laurier
Saint-Basile-le-Grand, QC J3N 1M2

Saint-Eustache, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
28 Boul. Industriel
Saint-Eustache, QC J7R 5C1

Saint-Eustache, QC

Les Foyers Mirabel
415 avenue mathers
Saint-Eustache, QC J7P 4C1

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Saint-Hubert, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
3170 rue Harvey
Saint-Hubert, QC J3Y 3T6

Saint-Isidore, QC

Maconnex
2036, chemin de la Riviere
Saint-Isidore, QC G0S 2S0

Maconnex LogoVisit Store Page

Saint-Lazare, QC

Montréal Brique et Pierre
550 Route Cité des Jeunes
Saint-Lazare, QC J7T2A7

Sherbrooke, QC

Maconnex
69, chemin Godin
Sherbrooke, QC J1R 0S6

Maconnex LogoVisit Store Page

St-Bruno de Montarville, QC

Les Foyers et Cheminees Piermon Inc
2193 Boul Sir Wilfrid Laurier
St-Bruno de Montarville, QC J3V 4P6

Les Foyers et Cheminees Piermon Inc LogoVisit Store Page

St-Charles Borromee, QC

Maison Chaleur et Confort
1060 Visitation
St-Charles Borromee, QC J6E 7Y8

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St-Georges, QC

Busque et Cie
2271, 90e Rue
St-Georges, QC G5Y 7B6

Busque et Cie LogoVisit Store Page

St-Hyacinthe, QC

Boutique du Foyer St-Hyacinthe inc.
1100 des Cascades
St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 3G8

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St-Jean sur Richelieu, QC

Propane Beauchemin
775 rue Gaudette
St-Jean sur Richelieu, QC J3B7S7

Trois-Rivieres, QC

Boutique Chaleur
1015 boulevard Thibeau Nord
Trois-Rivieres, QC G8T 7B3

Boutique Chaleur LogoVisit Store Page

Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC

Foyer Gaz
401 boul. Harwood, local 12b
Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC J7V 7W1


For more information, contact your local fireplace and grill store.

1 Response

  1. Ken
    Thank you for the clear and concise answer.
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