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  1. glenc0322 Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2011
    555 posts
    long Island NY
    I live in ny and wonder about how much pellets to store i have a 1800 sqaure foot ranch and insulation is average I will probably start the stove around november and and run for say 4 months i know there are alot of variables that will effect the amount but looking to get a general idea i currently have 1 ton but know that is not enough looking to get another ton delivered. should 2 tons be enough or 3 thanks
    #1

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  2. Millsk Member

    joined: Sep 12, 2011
    169 posts
    Eastern ct
    4 tons. I have a 2000 sf house in CT. Different stove but i burnt 4 tons last year.
  3. PJPellet Combustion Analyzer

    joined: Sep 6, 2011
    527 posts
    Western NY
    IMO three tons minimum and I personally would go with four tons if you have the storage space.
  4. BradH70 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Feb 13, 2011
    430 posts
    South West NH
    Asking how many tons of pellets are required to heat a house is like asking a financial adviser how much money you will need to retire.

    There are a lot if variables to consider:
    How much can you store at a time.
    Climate.
    How warm you plan to keep your house.
    Is the stove primary heat.
    Will it run 24/7.
    Type of pellets.......

    Some people use only 1 or 2 tons, some people use as many as 6 or 7 or more.

    It is always better to have more then you think you will need. You definitely will not find any pellet deals mid March if you run out.

    I used 4 tons last season but stocked up with 6 tons for this season just in case it gets extra cold and if I have pellets left over at the end of the season they will just get added to the 6 tons for the following season.
  5. Don2222 Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 1, 2010
    5,385 posts
    Salem NH
    I have a 2,000 sq ft split entry home and use 3 tons in plus or minus in a winter. So I suspect you need 2 more tons to be sure.
  6. imacman Minister of Fire

    Average usage is 3 tons. Get 4 to be on the safe side....you can always use them next year if not burned.
  7. glenc0322 Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2011
    555 posts
    long Island NY
    ok thanks
  8. DAKSY Super Moderator

    Between the P43 & the P61A, we burned just south of 6 tons last winter & that was a mild one. I have 10 tons in queue for this winter & am hoping to make it thru with some leftovers for the next one. Average winters up here cause most folks to burn 3 - 4 Tons...
  9. TheMightyMoe Feeling the Heat

    joined: Aug 2, 2012
    420 posts
    Fairbanks, Alaska.
    Most people say 3-4 tons.

    I went with 5 because we have a long/hard winter up here...

    1800SF / Recent usage / Room temp / 75F / Been 20's to 40's.
    9/29 1 bag
    10/2 1 bag
    10/5 1 bag
  10. jtakeman Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 30, 2008
    12,726 posts
    Northwestern CT.
    Approx 2K sq-ft here and my usage is under 4 tons. 4 tons is a safe bet...........

    Us pellet pigs just stuff our bunkers to the rafters, You can never have too many pellets! ::-)
  11. silverfox103 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Oct 4, 2011
    419 posts
    Littleton, NH
    More than 3, less than 4.

    Tom C.
  12. jim3854 Member

    joined: Nov 20, 2011
    106 posts
    Rhode island
    Isnt it always winter up there ?
  13. TheMightyMoe Feeling the Heat

    joined: Aug 2, 2012
    420 posts
    Fairbanks, Alaska.
  14. SmokeyTheBear Minister of Fire

    joined: Nov 10, 2008
    11,442 posts
    Standish, ME
    This is from an Oinker with a small bunker, he would really like to be a hog though.

    Now I say if you have room for 6 start there and you'll likely survive the winter even if it is cold and windy with a comfortable surplus.

    But that is just from someone who doesn't want to rely on anyone getting a loaded truck up the driveway when it is covered in snow and ice. My driveway starts going downhill then it goes up hill and takes a fairly sharp right turn below the crest of the hill.
  15. DexterDay Minister of Fire

    joined: Dec 11, 2010
    9,059 posts
    NE Ohio
    Between 3 and 4 as noted above.

    Its better to buy now and get a decent deal and have leftovers (cheaper to burn pellets than LP, HHO, Elec, Etc) than to have to buy at an insane price or burn LP, HHO, Elec, Etc....

    If you have the room. Get a couple more. The more you use it, the more money it will save you :)
  16. thedude110 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Aug 12, 2011
    269 posts
    Central Connecticut
    Exactly -- better to have 4 tons now than to come up one ton short while it's still heating season.
  17. midfielder Member

    joined: Dec 17, 2011
    169 posts
    NH
    Ayuh, and here in New Hampshah we get 6 weeks of summah and nine months of dahn poor sleddin'...
  18. kcellwood New Member

    joined: Nov 2, 2011
    97 posts
    Central Maine
    midfielder, you must be a Mainer to have a accent like that!!!!
  19. silverfox103 Feeling the Heat

    joined: Oct 4, 2011
    419 posts
    Littleton, NH
    Now this is a wise man! He is the tribal elder that you go to when you need advice.

    Tom C.

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