You can’t turn on a television, read a newspaper, or surf the Internet without running into buzz words like LEED and GREEN. While “green” has already worked its way into our daily lives and conversations, some people are left puzzled by the term ”LEED.”

What does LEED mean for the alternative heat industry?

The question of LEED certification is popping up in our industry too. According to the US Green Building Council,  “LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work.”

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Depending on the manufacturers models, corn burning appliances can and do qualify for LEED certified buildings. The National Hearth Products Association,  HPBA.org is very busy moving codes forward to include renewable energy appliances into GREEN homes.

photo credit: tacker

Everywhere you look and read, someone is talking about “going green”.

Most traditional methods of heating homes and offices rely on fossil fuels, which has garnered attention in the “green movement”. As we all start to focus our attention on alternative energy options…

…there has been a lot of discussion about using corn as a fuel.

Universities across the nation have done studies along with environmental groups, and the consensus is that the life cycle of corn burning results in a neutral or slightly positive effect on our environment.

What does that mean? It means that the emissions are very low compared with wood burning, and it also means that the end cost to our environment and to our economy is positive.

There is a high cost associated with our traditional ways of heating. Political, social, environmental impact are only a few ways we pay the price for sticking with “tradition”. When we take a look at the cost of war associated with protecting our traditional fossil fuels alone, using renewable energy right here at home takes on a broader meaning.

Have you considered using a corn stove to heat your home or business?  What is stopping you?

photo credit: jessicareeder

Many people are excited about the prospect of saving money and burning corn for heat, but have questions about how alternative heat and fuel accessibility works for people in larger cities. After all, they don’t necessarily have corn fields in their backyards like many mid-westerners.

So how do you access and/or buy corn if you live in an urban area and want to use a corn stove?

Corn and other Bio-Mass/Agri-Fuels have been distributed world wide for many years. The industry today is providing several alternatives for getting the fuel of choice right to your home or local distribution centers. Bulk delivery, bagged fuel, and personalized service are part of the package when purchasing a corn stove these days.

American Energy Systems was instrumental in putting a corn silo in downtown Tacoma Park, Maryland in full view of the White House to show that fuel can be supplied anywhere people want to conserve energy.

There was a great blog post written a while back in support of corn stoves, alternative energy, the corn silo project in Tacoma Park, and American Energy Systems by Mike Tidwell. You can read his article here, called “Maryland’s First 90% Renewable-Energy Home; The story of how one Takoma Park family is fighting global warming on a budget, and how you can do it too”

Here’s a quick video tutorial in helping you decide if heating with renewable energy is right for you and your home: