Shelled corn is a product that consists of dried maize seeds.
People who use conventional heating systems for their homes regard it as a good quality bird feed, yet for those who use corn stoves, this natural material is a burning agent that provides their homes with environmentally friendly heating.
Shelled corn is being burnt in special devices called corn stoves.
The main market for these is within the rural areas of North America because biomass prices are much lover there.
Shelled corn is measured in bushels or tons.
A bushel contains 35.
24 litres, which is approximately 56 lb or 25.
5 kilograms.
Back in 1997 a bushel cost $2.
50 making it the cheapest environmentally friendly energy ever.
Several years passed, famine stroke and prices on agricultural products sky-rocketed.
In 2004 shelled corn prices had doubled to $5.
00 per bushel.
Ever since that, the price keeps going up.
At the moment maize biomass price stands at approximately $9.
00 per bushel but the prices vary not only from State to State but also from town to town.
Corn Stoves are Environmentally Friendly It might seem quite expensive, however, if you compare this environmentally friendly energy with fossil fuels, you'll see that almost nothing beats corn.
The experts have estimated that to heat an average American home, it takes $3,300 a year on oil heating, similar amount on electricity and only $1,500 to $2,300 on corn.
A cheaper option is only either using wood or not heating your home at all.
It is also possible to use other biomass products like dried straw or peat for heating, still these burning agents are difficult to prepare and impractical in use.
You can probably get the wood supply for a heating season for as little as $1,000 but then, if you keep environmental awareness in mind, it is not advisable to burn wood.
If you have no other option, at least go with wood pellets - granulated sawdust that is a waste product from the woodworking industry.
By burning wood logs, firstly you diminish the green cover of our planet and secondly you produce loads of carbon monoxide - one of the main components of air pollution.
Shelled corn doesn't produce any carbon monoxide at all - it is good for the environment and it is safer for your home because carbon monoxide if inhaled can be lethal.
Money Saving Tips In the regions where biomass is expensive, it is advisable to search for a cheaper source.

• Never buy packed corn seeds.
  Why would you pay extra for a nice plastic bag? Price for a plastic pack can even reach $15 per bushel.
  
• Locate the ethanol producers nearby.
  Chances are you can get really cheap stuff there.
  
• See if your neighbouring farmers have some extra shelled corn.
  Don't forget to haggle.
  You can drive the price down to an amount as little as $210 per ton.
  
• Let your neighbours know that you are interested in biomass products before the sewing season so that they can plan their work.
  
• Always buy in bulk.
  The more you buy, the cheaper you get.
  

Although shelled corn prices have risen recently, corn stoves are still amongst the cheapest and greenest means of heating available.