How Many Wood Pellets Do You Need for Winter? (Consumption Calculator)

One of the most common questions for new stove owners in 2026 is: "How many bags should I order?" Buying too little leaves you freezing in February, while buying too much can lead to storage issues.

This guide will help you estimate your seasonal needs and is a key part of our The Complete Guide to Wood Pellets 2026.

1. The Quick Rule of Thumb

For a standard home with average insulation, the general rule in 2026 is:

• 1 Tonne of wood pellets covers approximately 1.5 to 2 months of heating during peak winter.

• Most households consume between 3 to 5 tonnes per winter season.

2. Factors That Affect Your Consumption

Before we calculate, understand that your "burn rate" depends on:

• Home Insulation: Modern homes with double glazing use 30% less fuel than older, drafty houses.

• Stove Efficiency: A high-end stove with 90% efficiency will extract more heat from every pellet than an older model.

• Desired Temperature: Every degree you raise your thermostat above 20°C (68°F) adds about 5-10% to your fuel consumption.

3. Manual Consumption Calculator

You can estimate your needs using this simple formula:

Step A: Hourly Burn Rate

Most pellet stoves burn between 0.5 kg to 2.5 kg per hour.

• Low Setting: 0.5 - 1 kg/hour

• Medium Setting: 1.5 kg/hour

• High Setting: 2.5 kg/hour

Step B: Daily Usage

If you run your stove for 8 hours a day on a medium setting:

1.5 kg x 8 hours = 12 kg per day.

Step C: Monthly & Seasonal Total

• Monthly: 12 kg x 30 days = 360 kg (approx. 24 bags of 15kg).

• Winter Season (5 Months): 360 kg x 5 = 1,800 kg (1.8 Tonnes).

4. Estimates by House Size (Average Winter)

5. Pro Tip: The "Buffer Tonne"

In 2026, climate unpredictability is common. We always recommend the Buffer Strategy: Calculate your estimated need and add 15-20% extra. It is better to have a few bags left over for next year than to pay "emergency delivery fees" during a blizzard when prices are at their highest.

Conclusion

Planning your consumption not only ensures warmth but also allows you to take advantage of bulk pricing. By knowing your numbers, you can order exactly what you need during the summer "off-season" sales.

Now that you know how much to buy, make sure you are paying the right price by checking our Wood Pellet Prices per Ton 2026 Analysis or learn How to Store Your Pellets Properly to keep them fresh all winter.