August 29, 2008 Many Mainers turn to pellet fuel as heat source Play video

(Amy Sinclair, NECN: Steep Falls, Maine) - The high price of home heating oil is forcing many to look for new ways to keep warm this winter.

It is especially true in Maine where more than 80 percent of homes heat with oil. This year, a record number of Mainers are turning to pellet fuel. But are word pellets all they're cracked up to be?

With autumn just around the corner the hearth doctor is is working overtime to handle all the house calls from anxious homeowners.

More and more customers are turning, or returning to alternative heat sources in an effort to save some money.

If you are heating your home with oil, on average you can heat your home for about 40-45% less with pellet fuel.

NECN's Amy Sinclair has more.