More people turning to alternative energy

NORTHFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - With temperatures starting to drop, more people are thinking about heating their homes. Some are turning to alternative energy.

One local business said it was like paying another mortgage the heating bill came out to $12,000. They wanted to find a way to cut it down.

The Stoias opened the Centennial House Bed and Breakfast in Northfield nine years ago. They have to heat 17 rooms which occupy 6500 square feet.

They decided to change from oil to a wood pellet boiler back in April. This helped cut their heating bill a lot.

Co-owner Stephen Stoia says that was a third of the big bill we use to have. "It all came down a little probably a little better than half of what we paid. We are really excited about those savings," said Stoia.

The price has remained the same for wood pellets since last year. That's why more people are changing to alternative energy.

"Either $4.18 a bag, it's a 40 lb bag or $209 a ton. There are 50 bags to a ton how much they need it depends on the size of their home," said Lee Irish of Home Depot.

One ton of wood pellets generates the same heat as 115 gallons of heating oil.