Shoppers can find savings on alternative energy options such as the Drolet High Efficiency Pellet Stove on the popular auction Web site ebay.com, where it was selling Friday for hundreds less than the listed retail price.

Heating options like these may seem like a steal for some, but the increased sales of alternative heat generators has police and fire officials throughout the state concerned that there could be an extra need for emergency response.

"We are preparing for an increase in fire calls this winter because of the risks people are taking with these kind of options," said Meriden Fire Marshal Steve Trella. "People take the discounts online, but some of these products have been used or don't come with directions. It's dangerous."

Deputy Fire Marshal Michael Kozlowski of Cheshire and Wallingford Fire Inspector Brian Schock each said they have been made aware of the potential problem, adding that local towns are doing what they can to reach out to the community and provide tips for a warm, but safe, winter.

The heating systems aren't what concerns fire officials, however. With the economic downturn and high cost of energy entering the winter months, all three men said they are more concerned that area residents may try to save money through self-installations.

That could lead to some risks.

If installed improperly, Schock said the systems could appear to work but eventually overheat, leading to potentially fatal results.

Lt. J. Paul Vance of the Connecticut Department of Safety said when it comes to installations, the biggest problem isn't fire hazards, but rather a dangerous and silent killer: carbon monoxide.

"It's a tragic way for people to die, and many times it's something that could have been avoided," he said. "I've been to scenes where whole families were at home sleeping and never woke up."

Vance said without proper installation, there could be "incomplete combustion" - a term used to describe the burning process - that creates excess carbon monoxide.

Furthermore, Trella and Schock both said that improper installation can lead to blocked vent systems, which will push carbon monoxide into the air and simultaneously cause the stove or system to overheat.

When it comes to a heating source like a chimney, Vance said the same rules apply. Chimneys should be inspected yearly, preferably at the beginning of the cold season. If a fireplace hasn't been used in a while, he also recommends an inspection and cleaning before regular use.

Failure to clean the chimney causes creosote buildup, which blocks ventilation and creates "hot spots" that can spark a fire when heat and carbon monoxide can't be properly released.

All four men recommend that anyone getting a new stove or burner have it installed professionally, which can cost from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000, but at the very least people should not be using stoves that don't come with detailed instructions.

Pellet stoves, boilers and chimneys aren't the only alternative heat sources which are commonly used. Schock said he has seen many people turning to space heaters for use in smaller areas, but those can be equally as dangerous, especially if left near combustible materials made of cloth or paper.

"Most people believe if an object isn't touching the heater, it can't light on fire," he said. "There should be at least three feet between any combustible and a heater, otherwise extended exposure can still cause the object to catch on fire."

Trella said anyone who is installing a new system should also make sure that they are buying or checking their homes to make sure there are both working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors inside.

Vance also advises people to use common sense and put logic before budget when it comes to alternative heating.

"Alternative heating systems are a trend many people are moving to, and for good reason, but it's something that they need to be careful in doing," he said. "People may want to save money, and there are ways to save here and there, but the few extra dollars it could cost to make sure the stove or system is safely and properly installed is well worth the money."

jvallee@record-journal.com

(203) 317-2225