Burning corn a hot idea

Friday, February 29, 2008

By Ryan Burgess

PITTSFIELD, MA -- Unloading 20-pound bags of corn off the bed of a truck is enough to keep anyone warm, even in the dead of winter. But it'll burn off more than just a few calories. It'll also heat your home.

"It [costs] like a third less to heat with this," said Pittsfield resident Darren Rufo.

Saving one-third off his home heating bill is why he's not afraid to crank up the heat. Some say that the hot trend of burning corn has other benefits.

Burning corn a hot idea
The next time you put a bag of popcorn in the microwave, you might want to stop and think for a moment -- not about burning your mouth, but about heating your home.

"Corn burns a lot hotter, it burns a lot cleaner. It also helps support our local farms," said corn dealer Michael Boulerice.

But for those who only burn corn by popping it in the microwave, there's more you should know.

"I think corn has a lot of promise because it can be locally grown, locally harvested, it can provide incomes and revenues to farmers, and it can be a good source of heat for our homes," said Center for Ecological Technology Director Laura Dubester.

In order to burn corn, you need to have a corn burning or wood pellet stove. There are a lot of models on the market, but no matter which one you choose, there is some important safety information that you should keep in mind.

"Determine whether you have an adequate spot to place your wood stove or your pellet stove. Provide adequate clearances. Provide a good vented chimney. Make sure your chimney's inspected and lined," said Pittsfield Fire Department Deputy Chief Bruce Kilmer.

If you're looking to save money while heating your home and lower your carbon footprint, experts say you may want to keep your ears open to corn.

"I think we're going to find that the answer doesn't lie in one technology or in one renewable technology. But, it's really harnessing everything that we have available to us," said Dubester.

For now, though, this seems to be one burning idea that's stacking up well.