[AT] 50% OT: Corn furnaces

[Henry Miller]

On Monday 12 September 2005 04:58 pm, Greg Hass wrote:
> This is 1/2 on, 1/2 OT due to the fact it involves a farm product.
>
> For a couple of years I have been considering a corn furnace.  Stopped at a
> local deal today and looked at a corn-fired boiler which would tie-in with
> our present boiler.  Basically a nice looking unit but the price scares me
> at $4700, not installed.  However, all of the ourdoor wood furnaces I have
> looked at run in the range of $4500, not installed.  Did the calculations,
> and at today's prices it would save me 2/3 of my heating bill, or
> $1000.  At today's prices, oil would cost us $1500, assuming we used the
> same as last year.  However, I am sometimes afraid to try new technology,
> being afraid it will not function as advertised.  Longevity of furnace,
> etc.  Due to the way our house is constructed, it does not lend itself well
> to a free-standing unit in the living quarters.  Any insight on this
> subject would be appreciated, either on-list, or through private e-mail if
> people consider this too far off topic.
>
> Greg Hass
>
> PS our local elevator price for corn is $1.67 and unfortunately I still
> have half of last year's crop.

My uncle built his own outside wood burner.    Simple enough, a cement 
fireplace outside, with water pipes in the firebox.   A circulating pump to a 
250 gallon oil tank in the basement, then another pump to the furnace when he 
needed heat.    He had a tree service drop off their logs at his place one 
year, and he had enough wood for 5 years.

He used copper pipes, but every year melted it down when he forgot to turn on 
the pump.  I'd use iron which can stand the heat better.    

I'm thinking about it myself, but I'm thinking about moving too, and I don't 
want any contraptions taking down my house value.