Heating with wood generally costs less than heating with oil in Maine, according to Efficiency Maine’s home heating comparison.
The quasi-state agency’s estimates put wood stoves among the least expensive options to operate. Pellet stoves, natural gas furnaces and ductless heat pumps also cost less to run than oil boilers. Heat pumps also can provide air conditioning in summer.
The Maine Department of Energy Resources compares fuels by the cost of usable heat, accounting for typical heating system efficiencies. Its firewood prices include local delivery, but actual costs vary by seller and region.
Total heating costs also depend on insulation, stove or furnace efficiency, and how much fuel is used. The comparisons exclude equipment and installation expenses. Wood heating also requires storage, regular cleaning and time spent handling fuel.
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