Home heating alternatives

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PITTSFIELD, MA - It's a burning question in Berkshire County. How to heat your home without breaking the bank.

"Energy prices in the County are higher than they've ever been," said Berkshire Fireplace Owner, Joe Galok.

That's why many are looking into new ways to heat their homes. One way to turn up the heat without burning a hole in your wallet is to burn wood.

"A quart of firewood is equal to about one-hundred gallons of oil," said Burgner's Market Owner, Tom Burgner. That kind of savings isn't leaving people out in the cold. They're already stocking up on wood.

"It's been busy. Our sales are up a good forty percent right now," said Burgner.

Burning wood is one way to save money, but there are other tips you should know.

"If you can lower your thermostat one degree for twenty-four hours, that's a three percent savings," said Center For Ecological Technology Director, Laura Dubester.

And if you're burning wood this year, you can stretch your dollar if you choose the right timber.

"You want seasoned firewood because the seasoned firewood has more BTU's and it won't plug your chimney with creosote," said Burgner.

And if your looking to warm up by the wood stove, there's a lot to consider.

"All wood stoves today have to have certification on every model from the EPA so models are tested for particle emissions and overall efficiency values," said Galok.

There's also a lot you can do to cut costs.

"You want to seal up the drafts, you want to notice cold rooms or drafty areas. The other thing is you want to just check to make sure you put down all your storm windows," said Dubester.

Another new trend is burning bio fuel, a blend of vegetable and regular heating oil. But if that's not an option, here's one simple piece of advice.

"Energy efficiency is always the cornerstone. That's always the place to start," said Dubester.

And the place to end is by the fire.