What's the annual cost of running a pellet stove versus burning cordwood in Ottawa including pellet delivery?

Running a pellet stove costs significantly more per heating season than burning cordwood in Ottawa, typically $1,500 to $2,500 annually for pellets versus $1,400 to $2,000 for cordwood — but the practical differences between the two fuels make the comparison more nuanced than raw cost alone.

The Real Numbers

A typical Ottawa home using a pellet stove as supplemental heat burns 3 to 5 tons of pellets per season (roughly November through March, with occasional shoulder-season use in October and April). Premium-grade pellets in Ottawa cost $250 to $320 per ton delivered, or $750 to $1,600 for a full season's supply. Add annual maintenance (cleaning the burn pot, replacing the combustion chamber gasket, professional servicing) at $150 to $300, plus electricity to run the auger, igniter, and blower fan — typically an additional $200 to $400 annually for a pellet stove running 4 to 6 hours daily during winter. Total annual cost: $1,500 to $2,300.

Cordwood for the same household means 4 to 8 cords per season at $350 to $450 per cord delivered — that's $1,400 to $3,600 depending on how heavily you run the stove. A cord of firewood is a full cord (128 cubic feet), not a "face cord" or "stove cord" (which are typically one-third of a full cord and represent 42.67 cubic feet). Buy only from reputable Ottawa-area suppliers who sell full cords; many inexperienced homeowners unknowingly purchase face cords at full-cord prices. You'll also spend $100 to $200 on chimney cleaning and sweeping annually — Ottawa's long burning season generates substantial creosote buildup, and many insurance companies now require WETT-certified cleaning. Total for cordwood: $1,500 to $3,800 depending on burn intensity and fuel quality.

Why Cordwood Can Actually Be Cheaper

The lower end of cordwood costs assumes you burn seasoned hardwood (15 to 20 percent moisture content) efficiently in a modern EPA-certified wood stove. A wood stove burning clean, dry hardwood at 70 to 80 percent efficiency will heat a space more effectively per dollar spent than a pellet stove running at similar efficiency. However, achieving that requires discipline: wood must be sourced 12 to 18 months in advance, properly seasoned, stacked correctly (off the ground, covered on top only, open sides for air circulation, at least 5 metres from the house), and burned in a stove where you maintain steady, hot fires rather than damping down too aggressively.

Many Ottawa homeowners burn wood inefficiently — either because it's not properly seasoned or because they're constantly adjusting the stove, creating damped-down smoldering fires that produce enormous creosote accumulation and barely heat the space. In those scenarios, the high efficiency advantage of cordwood disappears, and you end up spending more money while creating a serious chimney fire hazard.

Why Pellets Cost More But Offer Convenience

Pellets are more expensive per BTU than cordwood because you're paying for processing, quality control, and delivery of a standardized, uniform fuel. But that consistency translates into real benefits: a pellet stove automates the heating process — the auger feeds pellets on a schedule, the thermostat controls temperature, and you don't spend Saturday afternoons stacking wood or worrying about whether your supply is seasoned properly. For busy Ottawa households or those who value predictability, that's worth the premium.

Pellet delivery in Ottawa is also more reliable than cordwood supply. A single pellet delivery can be stacked indoors or in a compact storage area, while cordwood requires significant outdoor space. If you live in an urban area like the Glebe or Sandy Hill where storage is limited, pellets become more practical despite the higher cost.

Critical Considerations for Ottawa's Climate

Electricity dependency is the hidden cost of pellets. During Ottawa's frequent winter power outages — ice storms in December, January blackouts during extreme cold snaps — a pellet stove becomes an expensive paperweight. A wood stove with a properly functioning chimney will continue providing heat even if the power goes out, which matters enormously when Ottawa temperatures plummet to -30 degrees Celsius. If you're using either appliance as genuine backup heating during an extended power outage, cordwood is the only reliable option.

Chimney cleaning costs more with wood. Cordwood produces more creosote accumulation than pellets, especially during Ottawa's shoulder seasons when cooler outdoor air creates lower draft conditions. An annual WETT-certified chimney cleaning is the legal minimum for cordwood burning, while pellet stoves can often go 18 to 24 months between cleanings. That's $175 to $350 annually you save with pellets, partially offsetting the higher fuel cost.

Moisture and storage matter enormously. Wet or partially seasoned cordwood is the most expensive fuel on Earth because it barely produces heat and generates creosote at alarming rates. If you buy cordwood but fail to season it properly or store it correctly, you'll spend $2,000 or more for wood that barely heats the space and puts your chimney at serious risk of creosote fire. Pellets are factory-dried to precise moisture content, so there's no guesswork.

The Math for Different Scenarios

If you burn moderately (3 to 4 cords of well-seasoned hardwood annually in a modern stove): $1,200 to $1,800 total including chimney cleaning.

If you burn heavily with a wood stove (6 to 8 cords annually): $2,300 to $3,800 total.

If you use a pellet stove as primary supplemental heat (3 to 5 tons annually): $1,500 to $2,300 total.

If you burn green or partially seasoned wood (a common mistake): $2,000 to $3,500 total, with added creosote hazards and possible insurance complications.

Delivery and Logistics

Pellet delivery in Ottawa is straightforward — suppliers like the major heating fuel companies deliver to your door year-round, and a single load stores easily indoors or in a shed. Cordwood delivery requires advance planning, ideally in spring or early summer (May to August) so you have full seasoning time before winter. Many Ottawa suppliers charge slightly more for fall delivery (September to November) because

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• The Egress Group Inc
• Floor-2-Wall Inc
• Gillani Heating & Appliance Care Inc.
• Geerts Roofing Inc