AFP reports that heating oil has gotten high enough to where corn-burning stoves have become economical.

Haefner said there were about 65,000 corn stoves sold in the US last year. He expects about 150,000 will be sold this year and at least 350,000 next year.

Even with a retail price of 1,600 to 3,000 dollars, the stoves often pay for themselves within a year or two.

“The savings are phenomenal,” said Haefner.

Corn-generated heat costs less than a fifth of the current rate for propane and about a third of electrical heat, according to Haefner. Homeowners report savings of anywhere from 600 to 1,500 dollars a year, he said.

The Envionmental Working Group’s Farm Subsidy Database reports that corn growers received $4.5 billion dollars in 2004 from government and $41.9 billion since 1995.

It seems we are funding corn growers so much—promoting overproduction, resulting in low prices—that it’s profitable to burn corn. Who says we don’t have money to burn?

I hope those stoves have good ventilation—I’m not sure I’d want my house smelling like burnt popcorn. :)