Some Mainers turn to firewood as oil prices continue to rise

PORTLAND (WGME) — As the weather starts to get cooler, a lot of Mainers are starting to think about how they’re going to heat their homes this winter.

For many that means heating oil, even as prices are on the rise.

Heating oil prices are continuing to rise, and that’s putting high demand on a different type of heating source.

“It’s getting to be hard for a lot of people,” Country Fuel Owner Wayne Lebbe said.

Despite high heating oil prices, Lebbe says the orders are coming in hot.

“Tomorrow we got three trucks. I mean really busy,” Lebbe said.

But there’s another product flying off the shelves: firewood.

As the weather starts to get cooler, a lot of Mainers are starting to think about how they’re going to heat their homes this winter. (WGME)

“We have a hard time keeping that full,” Lebbe said. “I know they’re not camping out.”

Lebbe says many of his customers are using the wood as an alternative to cut the costs of oil.

Thursday, the average price for heating oil is $5.77 per gallon, 75 percent more than this time last year at $3.32.

“Of all years, this is not a year to sit back, worry and wait,” Maine Energy Marketers Association CEO Charlie Summers said.

Summers says as the war in Iran rages on, Mainers should brace for oil prices to continue to spike.

As the weather starts to get cooler, a lot of Mainers are starting to think about how they’re going to heat their homes this winter. (WGME)

“If they’re concerned about being able to afford their fuel, reach out to their fuel suppliers,” Summers said.

Last winter, fuel companies dealt with delivery delays, an issue that could add to customer worries this year, too.

“Please, if you’re able, sign up for automatic delivery,” Summers said.

Back at Country Fuel, they say they don’t have much control over their prices right now due to the war and are hoping that changes soon.

“I wish I had a crystal ball, and no one knows what’s going on,” Summers said.