Corn: the cheaper heating alternative Updated: 9/25/2006 7:01 AM By: Cait McVey
Ken Katzenstein is a local farmer. Corn is his specialty, but he said over the years, demand for the crop has gone down. So, he had to find another use for it.
"We were looking for other opportunities to market corn, so we looked into corn heat," Katzenstein said.
Yes, you heard it right…corn heat. Katzenstein said it’s been around for a few years and is becoming increasingly popular. All you need is dried shell corn, the same kind used in corn flower for baking, and a corn stove similar to a pellet stove. You simply put the corn into the back of the stove, light a fire log in the front, and in 15 minutes you have heat.
"This particular stove up to two thousand square feet, maybe even a little bit more, depending on how modern and how insulated your home is," Katzenstein said.
With the cold weather just around the corner, people are already starting to brace themselves for high heating bills. But, that's the good thing about using corn to heat your home. This stove will cut those costs in half.
With temperatures cooling down, you might be thinking about heating your home this winter. News 10 Now's Cait McVey tells us there is an alternative heating source that is quickly becoming popular in the area, and it could save you a big chunk of change once the cold settles in.
"It's a little more work than just turning your thermostat up, but you can cut your heating bills in half or even more," Katzenstein said.
It is remarkable how much money can be saved using corn heat. For example, if you own a 2,000 square foot home, you pay an average of about $3,000 to heat with oil each year. You pay about $2,000 to heat with electricity and about $1,500 with natural gas. However, if you use corn, you will only pay about $600.
"To me, it's well worth it. And everyone we've sold it to, they're very, very happy with the product," Katzenstein said.
Katzenstein said there's one more added bonus...the only odor the stove gives off is the light smell of popcorn.
