It depends of the type of fuel source you’re currently using. The average price of a bushel of corn is roughly $3.82. Dried corn can also be purchased at reduced prices if it is moldy or scorched. The following table compares corn to other common heating fuels. All heat output is measured in terms of BTU’s. One BTU is the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water one degree.
|
Fuel Type |
BTU Value Per Unit |
Units required to Produce 18,000,000 BTU’s |
Current Fuel Price Per Unit |
Total Cost to Produce 18,000,000 BTU’s* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shelled Corn |
9,000 per lbs. |
2,000 lbs. / 56 lbs. per bushel = 36 bushels |
$3.82 per bushel |
$137.52 |
|
Electricity |
3,412 per KWH |
5,275 KWH |
$.09 per KWH |
$474.75 |
|
Natural Gas |
1,000 per cu. ft. |
18,000 cu. ft. |
$1.07 per 100 cu. ft. |
$192.60 |
|
Fuel Oil |
140,000 per gal. |
129 gallons |
$1.70 per gallon |
$219.30 |
|
L.P. Gas |
91,000 per gal. |
198 gallons |
$1.80 per gallon |
$356.40 |
|
Wood (Oak) |
26,300,000 |
.7 cord (full) |
$120 per cord |
$84.00 |
|
Coal |
13,000 per lbs. |
1,384 lbs. (.7 tons) |
$180 per ton |
$126.00 |
How efficient are corn pellet stoves?
An average home will burn 150 to 200 bushels of dried corn a season. This is of course depending on your climate. The following table compares a bushel of corn to other energy sources.
| 1 Bushel of Corn |
= |
5.5 Gallons of LP Gas |
| 1 Bushel of Corn |
= |
3.6 Gallons of Fuel Oil |
| 1 Bushel of Corn |
= |
148 Kilowatt Hours of Electricity |
| 1 Bushel of Corn |
= |
5.04 C.C.P. of Natural Gas |
