PORTLAND (AP) – These days in Maine, wood may be a less expensive alternative to home heating oil, but not a cheap one.

And to turn to wood to augment other fuel consumption takes some planning.

Southern Maine Firewood in Gorham is selling partially seasoned wood for $230 a cord, according to the Portland Press Herald, while Atlantic Firewood in Gorham is advertising kiln-dried wood when available for $260 a cord.

An answering machine for Family Firewood in Sebago announced that the business was taking no orders at this time.

“People are doing the economics and figuring that wood is cheaper,” said Beth Nagusky, director of the state Office of Energy Independence and Security. “Even at these high wood prices, heating oil is still more expensive.”

Switches from wood to oil in the 1990s that were driven by low oil prices have resulted in fewer wood dealers. Nagusky suggests a loss of woodlots to suburban development may also have made less wood available.

“We live in the world of supply and demand and this is an unregulated fuel. Demand is up and supply is not up, which tends to increase prices,” Nagusky said.

At Finest Hearth and Home in Yarmouth, customers are seeking options.

“We have seen a shift in the type of appliances we are selling,” said Don Ferry, vice president of sales. “Generally there is a ratio of gas to wood to pellet. We have seen a tremendous increase in both wood and pellet stoves.”

Convenience can matter.

“Wood may be cost-effective but not everybody wants to lug wood and deal with the soot and bugs and things,” he said.

Rob Norberg of Atlantic Chimney says many customers have said they plan to burn more wood this year to curb fuel costs.

“My phone is ringing off the wall … I can’t keep up with them,” he said.