| With skyrocketing oil prices and growing concerns | | | | biomass such as cherry pits. Corn-burning stoves |
| for our planet, homeowners around the country | | | | are energy efficient, and shelled corn has been |
| are searching for affordable and environmentally | | | | proven to be a clean-burning fuel that doesn't add |
| responsible ways to heat their homes during | | | | pollutants to the environment. |
| winter months. This is the time of year when | | | | Choosing to burn corn also reduces the amount |
| energy usage is at its highest, and fossil fuels are | | | | of energy that goes into shipping fuel supplies to |
| gobbled up by traditional heating methods. | | | | the area. You can purchase shelled corn from local |
| Homeowners searching for an eco-friendly | | | | farmers, which helps the economy and reduces a |
| alternative to wood stoves, oil, or gas furnaces | | | | dependence on foreign-produced oil. In addition, |
| can now get stoves that use either corn or | | | | corn is widely available, so you can take comfort |
| pressurized wood pellets as a fuel, and do a great | | | | in knowing that you're not depleting precious |
| job of heating the home. | | | | resources while heating your home. |
| Resembling a wood stove in appearance, pellet | | | | Those who've never used a corn-burning stove |
| stoves are attractive additions to any home, and | | | | may worry about the smell of popcorn radiating |
| are available in various sizes and price points. | | | | throughout the house, but homeowners who use |
| Compressed wood waste like sawdust is used to | | | | corn as a heating method say that odor is not an |
| fuel these stoves, which means that no trees are | | | | issue. Outside where the exhaust is vented, there |
| cut for the purposes of heating. Pellet stoves also | | | | is a slight smell reminiscent of roasting corn, but |
| produce far less pollution than any other heating | | | | it's neither strong nor unpleasant. Many find the |
| method, which means they're the best option for | | | | gentle aroma to be warm and inviting—which is |
| the outside environment and for indoor air quality. | | | | a nice change from the smell of smoke that |
| Pellet stoves require a very small amount of | | | | pours out of our fireplaces. |
| electricity to run. This keeps costs down, but can | | | | Corn and pellet stoves are continually improving in |
| be a problem in the event of a power outage. | | | | design and function. While many models work |
| Some stoves feature an automatic shut-off that | | | | best as a supplemental heat source, |
| is activated when the electrical supply is | | | | manufacturers are developing biomass furnaces |
| interrupted, while others have a backup battery | | | | that are both energy efficient, and able to heat |
| that enables the flame to continue unimpeded. | | | | the entire home. There are also new models on |
| Unlike wood stoves, pellet stoves don't require | | | | the market that require far less maintenance than |
| constant attention to keep the flame going, and | | | | pellet stoves that require daily ash removal and |
| no chimney is required. A pipe can be vented | | | | cleaning. Look for stoves that have a self-cleaning |
| through an outside wall, making them flexible in | | | | fire pot, so that you only have to clean the ash |
| terms of placement. In addition, the small | | | | pan once a week. |
| amounts of ash that are produced during | | | | If you're looking to keep your home cozy this |
| combustion can be recycled as a nourishing | | | | winter, reduce your carbon footprint, AND save |
| garden fertilizer. | | | | up to 80% on your heating bills, look for smart |
| Corn burners are very similar to pellet stoves. In | | | | heating alternatives like corn burners and pellet |
| fact, you can now buy models that are | | | | stoves; they offer an attractive and energy |
| compatible with corn, wood pellets, or other | | | | efficient way to stay warm this winter. |