Feb. 2--TUNKHANNOCK TWP. -- James Kugler and his family like to stay warm. They also like to save money.

Thanks to a corn furnace heating unit, the Kuglers are doing both.

"We've saved a ton of money," Mr. Kugler said. "Nobody ever complains about being cold in my house."

Living in an 1880s farm house with temperatures kept at 74 degrees since Oct. 1, the Kuglers have spent $800 on heat.

When they moved to Tunkhannock Twp. about five years ago from Texas, Mr. Kugler's wife, Leisa, said she was shocked by the cold.

"When we moved here, we were spending $1,000 a month, and we were still cold," Mrs. Kugler said.

The Kuglers were using a pellet stove and oil for heat. Wanting to save money and heat the house, Mr. Kugler searched the Internet for an alternative heating source and found corn furnaces.

He bought a corn furnace for $3,500 and had it installed by a local mechanical contractor, John Beavers.

The furnace, an auger and a hopper are located in the Kuglers' basement. Mr. Kugler also had to install custom duct work.

Mr. Kugler's home has window panes dating to 1880. Despite the home's age, Mr. Kugler said he was able to recoup the installation cost within 14 months.

He added he even saved money on heating his home last summer when corn and oil reached record highs.

Mr. Beavers has also converted to corn. Four years ago, Mr. Beavers used oil and spent about $2,600 to heat his home at 63 degrees. In the first winter he used a corn furnace, he paid just under $800 to heat his house at 70.

Corn does not pop when burned in a furnace because it contains little moisture.

But with exhaust that smells like roasting corn, a person can become hungry, Mr. Beavers said.

"One neighbor said he put on 10 pounds from smelling corn all day long, which made him crave ribs and chicken," Mr. Beavers added.

Contact the writer: jmrozinski@timesshamrock.com

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