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Latest Articles
When to Consider Hiring a Heating and Cooling Company
The weather is not something you can control, and whenever you go outside, you are forced to layer up and adapt to the temperature. In your own...
on Mar 1, 2021
Important Roofing Regulations to Consider
Having a home you can truly enjoy that is not only liveable, but safe, sturdy, and a delight to inhabit requires more than picking out the right...
on Feb 24, 2021
What to Consider When Choosing a Furnace Service Contractor
HVAC systems are among the costliest systems that you can install in your house. Therefore, you would probably want to do all possible things for...
on Feb 19, 2021
Choosing a Reliable Furnace System for Your Home
Either way, it would be great if you can invest in something you will benefit from for a pretty long time. If that is the case, you would know that...
on Feb 19, 2021
Lawyers vs. Real Estate Agents: Who to Hire When Buying a House
Because buying a house is already so expensive, most buyers would want to spend as little extra money as possible. Consequently, some may balk at...
on Feb 18, 2021
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Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
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Using Biomass to Heat Your Home
by Guest on Jul 7, 2010
With skyrocketing oil prices and growing concerns for our planet, homeowners around the country are searching for affordable and environmentally responsible ways to heat their homes during winter months. This is the time of year when energy usage is at its highest, and fossil fuels are gobbled up by traditional heating methods.
Homeowners searching for an eco-friendly alternative to wood stoves, oil, or gas furnaces can now get stoves that use either corn or pressurized wood pellets as a fuel, and do a great job of heating the home.
Resembling a wood stove in appearance, pellet stoves are attractive additions to any home and are available in various sizes and price points. Compressed wood waste like sawdust is used to fuel these stoves, which means that no trees are cut for heating. Pellet stoves also produce far less pollution than any other heating method, which means they're the best option for the outside environment and indoor air quality.
Pellet stoves require a very small amount of electricity to run. This keeps costs down, but can be a problem in the event of a power outage. Some stoves feature an automatic shut-off that is activated when the electrical supply is interrupted, while others have a backup battery that enables the flame to continue unimpeded.
Unlike wood stoves, pellet stoves don't require constant attention to keep the flame going, and no chimney is required. A pipe can be vented through an outside wall, making them flexible in terms of placement. In addition, the small amounts of ash that are produced during combustion can be recycled as a nourishing garden fertilizer.
Corn burners are very similar to pellet stoves. You can now buy models that are compatible with corn, wood pellets, or other biomass such as cherry pits. Corn-burning stoves are energy efficient and shelled corn has been proven to be a clean-burning fuel that doesn't add pollutants to the environment.
Choosing to burn corn also reduces the amount of energy that goes into shipping fuel supplies to the area. You can purchase shelled corn from local farmers, which helps the economy and reduces dependence on foreign-produced oil. Besides, corn is widely available, so you can take comfort in knowing that you're not depleting precious resources while heating your home.
Those who've never used a corn-burning stove may worry about the smell of popcorn radiating throughout the house, but homeowners who use corn as a heating method say that odor is not an issue. Outside where the exhaust is vented, there is a slight smell reminiscent of roasting corn, but it's neither strong nor unpleasant. Many find the gentle aroma to be warm and inviting—which is a nice change from the smell of smoke that pours out of our fireplaces.
Corn and pellet stoves are continually improving in design and function. While many models work best as a supplemental heat source, manufacturers are developing biomass furnaces that are both energy efficient, and able to heat the entire home. There are also new models on the market that require far less maintenance than pellet stoves that require daily ash removal and cleaning. Look for stoves that have a self-cleaning firepot, so that you only have to clean the ash pan once a week.
If you're looking to keep your home cozy this winter, reduce your carbon footprint, AND save up to 80% on your heating bills, look for smart heating alternatives like corn burners and pellet stoves; they offer an attractive and energy-efficient way to stay warm this winter.
Most Recent Articles
- Feb 19, 2021 Choosing a Reliable Furnace System for Your Home by Dave Mezaros
- Feb 10, 2021 How Do You Choose a Heater For Your Home? by Zoe Johnes
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- Feb 3, 2021 Signs That Your Air Conditioning Unit Needs Replacement by Mark Estaves
- Jan 24, 2021 AC Repair and Heating Guide by Faith Seed
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