With the price of gas and groceries increasing with inflation, we are all looking for ways to be more sustainable and save a few extra bucks on energy costs.
However, when it comes to heating your home, you don’t want to pay excessive money on electricity, so you start to look at alternative heat sources.
Non-electric pellet stoves have been shown to reduce energy costs and are less expensive than oil or gas, but which one is right for you?
The Best Overall – Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove
The best non-electric pellet stove is the Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove because it is the only non-electric pellet stove EPA and UL-certified on the market. This stove holds 60 lbs of wood pellets and will heat up to 2,000 sq. ft. (185.8 sq meters) for 36 hours.
Allow us to elaborate on this unit if you still are not entirely convinced.
With 40,000 BTU output, this stove will heat a 2,000 sq ft. (185.8 sq meters) home for up to 36 hours and features a 60-pound (27.2-kg) gravity-fed hopper, so there are no plug-ins, which save you electric energy.
Additionally, this stove is on the lower end of the average price scale. The Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove from US Stove Company comes with a three-year warranty for the firebox and a one-year warranty for the cabinet.
This non-electric pellet stove is the only one on the market fully certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and Underwriter Laboratories (UL). As a result, you can rest assured that you are protecting the environment and your family when you use this stove properly.
We’re going to do some math here, so bear with us.
The average cost of electricity in the United States is $0.13–$0.15 per kilowatt-hour (Kwh). For a home of approximately 2,000 sq. ft. (185.8 sq meters), the energy usage is around 1,000 kWh per month.
So the average electric bill is about $130-$150 per month, with the metrics listed.
The Wiseway is the best overall, but you might be concerned about your individual needs, such as indoor, outdoor, budget, and size of the area you want to heat. Read on to discover the rest of our non-electric pellet stove picks, and find the one best suited for you.
Regarding non-electric heating options, Home Advisor reports fuel for a pellet stove will cost you between $25-$35 per month. However, you may get a better deal if you buy wood pellets in bulk.
Heating your home can cost a lot during the winter, but it would be awesome to reduce energy costs by supplementing your heating with this stove.
Indoor Stove Runners-Up
These indoor non-electric pellet stoves are still of excellent quality and produce more than adequate heat for your home. However, they did not make the cut for the best overall because they are lacking in areas the Wiseway stove exceeded.
These stoves do not carry the EPA or UL certification and are both on the more pricey end of the scale, but they are still fantastic options for your home.
Breckwell Traverse Pellet Stove
The Traverse Pellet Stove is a non-electric, gravity-fed pellet stove with a 47-lb (21.3-kg) hopper. It emits 35,000 BTU to heat up to 2,000 sq ft (185.8 sq meters) for 18-19 hours. This model is mobile home approved and carries a limited lifetime warranty.
According to Forbes, the average price of a pellet stove is $2000-$4050. The Traverse Pellet Stove comes in as a runner-up because it is on the higher end of this price scale and the burn time is not as long.
Over time, you will still save money on electric heating with this model. The limited lifetime warranty will save you money ten years later if your stove requires a replacement. The Wiseway only carries a three-year warranty, so you could decide if you want to pay more upfront or later down the line.
US Stove Company GW7400
Next we have another non-electric pellet stove from the same company as the Wiseway. The US Stove Company GW7400 also has a 47-lb (21.3-kg) hopper, much like the Traverse Pellet Stove.
This model is also mobile home approved and produces 34,000 BTUs to heat up to 1,800 sq ft (167.2 sq meters).
Reviews say the GW7400 has a max heat time of six hours on 10-lb (4.5-kg) pellets (this amounts to around 28 hours on the 47-lb [21.3-kg] hopper, but we cannot say for sure if it is safe to burn the entire hopper at once).
This stove also falls on the higher end of the average price scale, but it does come with a limited lifetime firebox warranty and a one-year warranty for all other parts. Again, this is a trade-off—the original investment is at a higher cost, but you could save some dough with the warranty in the long run.
One thing that hurts this stove is the length of time it burns. The Wiseway can operate up to 36 hours, but this stove will only last six hours on a 10-lb (4.5-kg) bag of pellets.
The GW7400 operator’s manual states the furnace will produce heat for 1-6 hours depending on the heat setting and airflow adjustment. However, the manual does not say it is safe to operate the stove after six hours.
Using the previously stated cost of pellets at $25-$35 per month, you will still see a benefit of using this stove regarding your electric bill and carbon footprint. However, this option sounds like an excellent supplement to your heating needs, not an overarching resolution.
Best Outdoor Non-Electric Pellet Stoves
Maybe your ideas for a non-electric heater do not include being inside the home. In which case, we have several ideas for you.
Best Outdoor Aesthetic – Big Timber Elite Patio Heater
If you are looking for an outdoor patio heater that does not use electricity, you can keep it stylish with the Big Timber Elite Patio Heater.
This non-electric outdoor pellet stove will emit 90,000 BTU and has a three-hour burn time on a 30-lb (13.6-kg) hopper. You will feel the warmth for up to 450 sq ft (41.8 sq meters).
The Big Timber Elite Patio Heater has a stylish stainless steel exterior with a three-sided view of the firebox so you and your friends can enjoy the fire from all angles.
The Big Timber Elite model has a similar initial cost as the Wiseway, but since you will enjoy it outside, you will notice the heated area is much smaller with higher BTUs. That is because the heat dissipates more quickly outside than inside a house.
The Big Timber heaters come with a two-year warranty.
Best Outdoor Budget – Lil Timber Patio Heater
Not everyone looks for bling or needs to heat as much space as the Big Timber Elite is equipped to. For those who prefer a simple, clean look that the family can huddle around while stargazing, the Lil Timber Patio Heater is the answer.
It is also a solid option for those cold nights at a lower cost—it features a 15-lb (6.8-kg) hopper that gives a 1.5-hour burn time up to 300 sq ft (27.8 sq meters). With 72,000 BTUs, you can be sure that you will feel nice and toasty.
As for all of these models, the Lil Timber is non-electric and more cost-effective than a portable electric heater. Additionally, the Timber pellet heaters emit fewer fumes than a traditional gas or propane fire.
This model also comes with a two-year warranty which will save you money if your pellet stove needs repairs.
What To Remember When Buying a Non-Electric Pellet Stove
Since all of these models are non-electric, the energy use cost is the price of the pellets you buy. The initial investment can be pricey depending on the size of the stove, how many pounds of pellets it holds, and the square footage of the area you are heating.
Unfortunately, there are too many factors to consider to estimate your return on investment in general terms.
However, you can calculate how much you are paying for electric heating per kilowatt hour and compare it to the cost of pellets in your area, how often you plan to use the stove, and how long it will emit heat.
Additionally, if you choose to install a non-electric pellet stove, it could increase the value of your home. Homebuyers love options. A sustainable and money-saving heating option could put your home at the top of their list.
Final Thoughts
When you want to reduce your energy consumption and save money on heating options, a non-electric pellet stove is a viable choice. Your heating needs will depend on the size of the space you are looking to heat, whether the area is indoor or outdoor, and how long you want the pellets to burn.
The non-electric pellet stoves listed in this article have high reviews from buyers who have stated these stoves saved them money on electricity. However, of all the stoves, the Wiseway Non-Electric Pellet Stove stands on its own.
Sources
- Department of Energy: Wood and Pellet Heating
- Timber Heaters: Lil Timber Outdoor Wood Pellet Patio Heater
- Timber Heaters: Big Timber Elite Outdoor Patio Heater
- Dengarden: What To Know Before You Buy a Wood Stove or Pellet Stove
- Energy SVC: The Real Cost of Heating
- Home Advisors: 2022 Wood Pellet Prices
- Forbes: Average Cost For Pellet Stove Installation
- US Stove GW7400 Manual
Wiseway is not the only EPA non electric pellet stove, The Whitney is rated cleaner.
check it out at sunmountainstoves,com