I'm looking for something that . . .

Will heat a single 15x15 room. So figure 200-400 sq. ft..

I want it to be a variable unit - that is, not either high or off. It needs to be able to feed pellets at a very slow rate.

Finally, I want to be able to run it off of a thermostat.

Oh yeah, and I'd prefer to spend less than 1500 for it without installation.

Does this unit exist? If not, let's start a business.

There are many logistical problems with what you are proposing. The biggest-after the initial costs to actually get something like this tested and on the market-is that in order to keep the fire actually burning, the pellets must feed at a rate that will keep it burning. Thus, most pellet stoves cannot handle a very slow rate of burn. That's why you don't see any pellet stoves that will only heat a couple hundred sq. ft.

Reliant used to sell the smallest unit I have ever seen. I think it heated 900 sq. ft. I sold one once, after I had used it in my own home for a season. It was the biggest piece of crap there ever was that called itself a pellet stove. I do not know if it is still being produced. But, I will tell you that it was a daily nightmare to clean and it would go out in the middle of the night sometimes.

I guess the question I have to answer is. . .

at the lowest setting, will it overheat a 400 sf space?

I saw a Harman that claims 0-60,000 BTUs, which suggests that you could put it in a 20x20 room. The question then is price, which is too high for my budget.

Thanks again.

http://www.inglenookenergy.com/Stoves/Pellet_Freestanding/littlegnomep ellet/littlegnomepellet.htm

The Thelin Gnome is, from one site I found, almost $3,000!!!