| As winter approaches, everyone begins to think | | | | circulation system. The wood burning system can |
| about the furnace. Will in kick on? Will it last | | | | also do double duty to heat household water if a |
| through another long, cold winter? Should we | | | | water-to-water heat exchanger is installed. |
| install a new furnace? If so, with what kind? If | | | | Although there are many advantages to using an |
| these questions are familiar to you, keep reading | | | | outside wood burning furnace, it has a down side |
| as we try to "demystify" a couple of household | | | | to its use as well. The cost can be quite high for |
| heating sources. | | | | most people, running approximately $5,000 |
| The most important step to take before starting | | | | installed. This of course, depends upon what part |
| the furnace for the season is to have it inspected | | | | of the country you live in. |
| by a licensed professional. They will clean the | | | | Another alternative to the traditional furnace that |
| furnace, make sure it is in good working order, | | | | is gaining in popularity is the corn burning furnace. |
| they will also recommend any parts that will need | | | | This type of furnace uses shelled corn (the same |
| to be serviced or replaced in the near future. | | | | kind fed to livestock) to heat a home. While this is |
| If the furnace inspector tells you that it is time to | | | | a viable source of heat it is not fool proof, it does |
| replace the furnace, you may be overwhelmed | | | | have drawbacks that need to be considered |
| by the choices in today's' furnace market. There | | | | before making a final decision. |
| are the standard gas, oil and electric furnaces as | | | | Corn fuel furnaces are comparable to a |
| well as the newer outdoor wood furnaces and | | | | convention furnace as far as price is concerned, |
| corn-fueled furnaces to name a few. There is lots | | | | costing roughly $2,000. It uses corn that has no |
| of information available on these newer furnaces | | | | more than 15% moisture content; fortunately, this |
| on the internet, however, a quick overview will be | | | | is the same percentage of moisture as feed corn, |
| provided here. | | | | making it very easy to obtain from a local |
| One of the most popular options today is an | | | | elevator. The cost of burning corn as compared |
| outdoor heating source. It uses the old standby of | | | | to propane is approximately one bushel of corn is |
| wood, but eliminates the mess and smell | | | | to 5.5 gallons of propane fuel. Corn is also a |
| associated with burning wood. An outdoor wood | | | | natural and renewable resource, and keeps |
| heating unit is placed approximately 500ft from | | | | farmers in business while keeping your heating |
| the house. The wood burner itself is built inside of | | | | costs down. |
| a small building, this often is made to look like a | | | | On the other side, corn fed furnaces need daily |
| smaller house or shed. The heat is carried from | | | | cleaning to be efficient. They also run on an |
| the burner via heated water, which runs through | | | | electric fan system, if you lose electricity, you |
| underground, insulated pipes. This is the most | | | | lose heat also. For this reason, its best to either |
| effective and efficient method for moving heat | | | | have a generator or a back up furnace for |
| over distances. Once the heated water reaches | | | | emergencies. |
| its destination, there are a couple of options for | | | | Being armed with the knowledge of these types |
| actually heating the home. Using a boiler, radiant | | | | of heating sources will make you a more |
| floor heating system, a heat exchanger or a | | | | educated consumer when it is time to replace an |
| forced air furnace that is powered by a direct | | | | old, worn out furnace. |