For Immediate Release: February 1, 2012

The weekly (1/23/12) average national cost of Residential Heating Oil was $3.938 per gallon. To fill a 175 gallon tank the fill up cost would be $594.65 or an annual cost of approximately $2,378.60 (4 fills per year).

The weekly (1/23/12) average national cost of Residential Propane was $2.863 per gallon. To fill a 250 gallon tank the fill up cost would be 715.75 or an annual cost of approximately $2863.00 (4 fills per year).

If your propane or oil furnace is older than 10 years, you’re operating at 60%-80% efficiency and you’re paying even more money right out of your pocket to heat your home!

Other Annual Fuel Costs

If you could reduce that annual cost by 60% and still keep your home and family warm and comfortable . . . Wouldn’t you be interested?

Compare to Wood Pellets or Corn or other alternative renewable fuels (as of 12/20/11):

Switching to alternative fuel is the best known way to save money and experience a substantial return on your investment!

DON’T WAIT, TODAY IS THE DAY TO SAVE MONEY. Tell us your preferences, and we’ll help find you the best savings for your situation.

 * data provided by US Weekly Heating; eia.gov and Alternative-Heating-Info

The Energy Tax Credits for biomass heating appliances were extended into 2011, but with some changes. To find out which of our American Energy Systems appliances qualify for the 2011 Energy Tax Credit, visit our products page complete with our Energy Efficiency Certificate.

The HPBA recently sent out information on the 2011 Energy Tax Credit as it applies to biomass stove purchases. To learn more about the Hearth, Patio, and Barbecue Association, (HPBA), you can visit their website.

Here’s the summary supplied by the HPBA, “On December 17, 2010, President Obama signed a bill that extended many of the consumer tax credits into 2011 to help boost the slowly recovering economy. The tax credit for the purchase of a biomass-burning stove was extended, but with additional restrictions. The tax credit for 2011 is structured as follows: 1) a 10% tax credit, capped at $300, for a 75% efficient biomass stove; 2) the lower heating value (LHV) efficiency measure was removed; 3) the credit applies to purchase price only, not installation; and 4) tax credit is for 2011 only. HPBA encourages all members to check with their tax advisors for further clarity.”

Using Biofuels As A GREEN Approach To Heating Our Homes @ Yahoo! Video

I just don’t understand it! I installed my Corn Stove expecting it to heat my entire home and save me a ton of money. I went through fuel like crazy this winter and have not seen the savings. What am I doing wrong?

Statements like this do not come along very often, but when they do it is fairly easy to find a solution. Let’s take a look at a few important things to consider before purchasing your corn stove.

First, a few important questions to ask:

1. What do I expect to achieve when purchasing a renewable energy appliance for my home?
2. Can I place the unit in the right location to get the most out of the appliance or is it going to be restricted by doors, small rooms or a lack of air circulation?
3. Is my home in need of a little or a lot of insulation so that the heat is not going out the window?
4. Can I enjoy my Corn Stove where I need to place it?

It is important that a qualified expert qualify your home and place your new Corn Stove where it will be able to distribute the heat evenly and give you the most benefit. Ceiling fans and running your central furnace blower will circulate the heat throughout your home and into those back rooms that need a little heat.

Most people do not realize that they are heating areas of their home that were normally shut down because of high heat bills. Typically the home temperature is up to 10 degrees warmer with your Corn Stove so it takes a little more fuel to get it there. You will enjoy the radiant heat and once again can sit in your home toasty warm and not covered with layers of clothes and blankets to save on those high heat bills.

Typical savings are in excess of 60 percent but even a 15-30 percent return on your investment in a environmentally green energy appliance is well worth it.

Proper placement, correct installation, fuel quality and scheduled maintenance will result in your Corn Stove operating at peak performance and efficiency. It is best to run the appliance on the lower heat settings like 2 or 3 rather than up at 4 or 5. The higher heat settings result in lower efficiency and the appliance cycling from high to pilot fire too often. A lower steady heat setting will bring the home up to the desired temperature and will keep it there for longer periods of time. The appliance will stay cleaner and you will not go through as much fuel.

Enjoy warm cozy days and nights while putting heating dollars back into your pocket!

Here are TWO great videos that will help on heating efficencies; selecting the correct appliance for your home and choosing the right fuel for your appliance.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

photo credit: Zach Klein

Are you sold on alternative heating and ready to throw your furnace out the window?

Wait.

Even though heating with renewable energy such as corn or wood pellets is a cost effective and fantastic method of heating your home, you don’t want to throw your furnace out the window just yet.

Do I need to keep my furnace if I install a Magnum stove?

The answer is yes you do. There are code compliance issues that require a primary heating system to be installed in your home. Today, there are no insurance or building codes that will allow a solid fuel device to be considered as primary.

This does not mean, however, that your corn/flex-fuel appliance will not heat your entire home.

The best advice is to let your renewable energy appliance do the bulk of the heating, and when you go away on vacation, etc. allow your primary furnace to take over.

There are plenty of design solutions; your corn burning appliance can complement your entire system so that you can stay toasty warm.

Many corn/flex-fuel customers report that their primary furnace runs very little, if at all, even on the coldest of days. So while we do not recommend you throw your furnace out the window, we are excited for you to experience the wonderful heat and savings associated with corn and pellet stoves!

One of our raving fans share how well their corn stove heats their entire home in this video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

photo credit: Keith Williamson