Corn Burning Example

From Cornburning

Here is a simple formula you can use to find your "cost-per-million BTUs" of useable energy.

This formula takes into account the following factors: 1.Cost per unit of fuel 2.Energy content per unit of fuel 3.Seasonal heating efficiency

Cost per million BTUs of useable energy = fuel cost (per unit) x 1,000,000 divided by fuel energy content per unit (BTU) x (seasonal heating efficiency)

Cost per unit of fuel is in Dollars Energy Content Unit of Fuel in BTUs Seasonal Heating Efficiency is in decimal form (70% = 0.7) Example 1 - Fuel Oil:

• Fuel $2.85 per gallon • Energy Content per gallon = 139,000 BTUs • Seasonal Heating Efficiency = 85%

(2.85 x 1,000,000)

divided by

(139,000 x .85) =

$24.12 per million BTUs

$24.12 x 100 = $2412.00 to heat this home with fuel oil for just one season!

Example 2 - Propane:

• Propane $2.39 per gallon • Energy Content per gallon = 91,690 BTUs • Seasonal Heating Efficiency = 85%

(2.39 x 1,000,000)

divided by

(91,690 x .85) =

$30.67 per million BTUs

$30.67 x 100 = $3067.00 to heat this home with propane

Example 3 - Corn

• Corn $2.39 per bushel • Energy Content per bushel = 500,000 BTUs • Seasonal Heating Efficiency = 85%

(2.39 x 1,000,000)

divided by

(500,000 x .85) =

$5.62 per million BTUs

$5.62 x 100 = $562