As oil prices go up, individuals are seeking alternative ways to heat their homes - even if it means harming the environment in the process.

Wood heat has made a big comeback recently as the cost of oil continuously increases, making its way past the $100 per barrel mark again today and hitting an all-time high. As a result, wood stoves and wood boilers have seen a jump in sales despite the fact that they contribute significantly to pollution and are less efficient.

“There’s a lot of people buying big stoves, planning on tackling oil head-on,” said Roy L’Esperance, owner of the Chimney Sweep in Shelburne, Vt., who has seen sales of wood stoves increase nearly 20 percent this year. “They say, ‘I just got a new house and I’m getting killed with oil bills, and propane is just as bad.’ ”

Wood stoves were once popular in New England and surrounding areas, but inconveniences such as the labor and mess involved led to a decrease in the number of homes using them as a primary source of heat. Once oil started to become unaffordable, many people switched back to save some money. 

However environmentalists are saying that outdoor wood boilers are a big environmental no-no, causing emissions equivalent to 22 wood stoves, 205 oil furances or up to 8,000 natural gas furnaces. Though the EPA has specific guidelines in place for wood-burning stoves, the environmental impact isn't as bad as it was in the 80s, but still causes high levels of emissions.

There's no doubt that people are starting to care more about the effect their lifestyle has on the environment, but that concern certainly doesn't outweigh the impact overpriced oil has on a bank account. If people are forced to choose between saving money or saving the earth, guess which one they're more likely to choose? Of course this isn't seen as a positive development, however it really shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone.

» The New York Times