Cost to Run a Pellet Stove (electric blower & auger) in North Carolina

At North Carolina’s April 2026 average residential rate of 16.25¢/kWh, a typical pellet stove costs about $14.84 per month — or $58 per year.

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Per hour$0.0488
Per day$0.49
Per month$14.84
Per year$58

Uses 3.0 kWh/day · 360 kWh/year.

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Formula: cost = watts × duty × hours/day × days/year × rate / 100 / 1000

About this appliance

A pellet stove — the auger and blower draw electricity even though heat comes from burning pellets.

This page uses North Carolina’s residential average electricity price. North Carolina households pay 14% less than the U.S. average of 18.83¢/kWh, so running the same pellet stove in North Carolina costs about $58/year, compared with the U.S. typical of $68/year.

Pellet Stove cost across other states

StateRate (¢/kWh)Yearly cost
North Dakota12.35$44
Idaho12.70$46
Nebraska13.28$48
Utah13.29$48
Oklahoma13.31$48
Iowa13.86$50
Montana13.90$50
Missouri14.01$50
Arkansas14.16$51
Nevada14.29$51
Washington14.36$52
North Carolina16.25$58

How to lower the cost of your pellet stove in North Carolina

  • Lower the thermostat overnight. Each 1°F you drop saves 1–3% of heating energy. Setting back from 70°F to 62°F at night saves ~10%.
  • Seal air leaks. Weatherstripping doors and caulking windows typically cuts winter heating costs 10–20%.
  • Add insulation. R-49 attic insulation pays back in 3–7 years across most of North Carolina.

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FAQ

How accurate is this estimate?

The calculation is exact for the given inputs. Real-world variation comes from your utility’s actual rate (which varies by plan and time-of-day), your specific appliance’s efficiency, and your usage pattern. Use the customize box above to plug in your own numbers.

Where does the 16.25¢/kWh come from?

It is the North Carolina residential average from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (April 2026). See the methodology page.

How can I lower this cost?

Three high-impact moves: (1) shift heavy usage to off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing; (2) switch to a more efficient unit (Energy Star); (3) reduce hours of use. For appliances with always-on standby draw, an inexpensive plug-in Kill-A-Watt meter often pays for itself by revealing surprise loads.