PEABODY-Heating their home this winter is going to cost most Americans a pretty penny, no matter what source of energy they use. But, things just got a little easier for North Shore residents.David J. LaFlamme, president and CEO of North Shore Bank, announced that they are teaming up with local heating and oil companies to help relieve residents of their heating costs. His bank will be offering a new Heating Efficiency Loan Program, cleverly known as H.E.L.P., specifically to homeowners in need of new heating equipment.?With the increased cost of oil this season, most homeowners in need of a new furnace are going to feel the crunch,” LaFlamme said in a released statement. “With this program, we?ll be able to help residents on the North Shore heat their homes more efficiently, which ultimately means paying less on their monthly heating bill.”The idea for H.E.L.P came from one of the North Shore Bank?s customers, Chuck Holden of Holden Oil in Peabody.?He came in to see if we could assist with some kind heating assistance for his customers,” said Vice President of Residential Mortgage Joanne Donovan. “We took it from there and created the program.”The bank promises to provide loans for up to $10,000 on an unsecured basis at a fixed annual percentage rate of nine percent. Larger loans will be available, but will work under another program that involves security.Bank employees will work directly with the heating and oil companies, who refer clients who need repairs.Massachusetts currently lists the average price of oil at $3.26 per gallon and the average home uses about 800-1,000 gallons each year, meaning homeowners could be spending anywhere from $2,608 to $3,260 a year just on heating oil.?It?s difficult for people to come up with the outlay of cash that they need,” said Holden. “If you don?t have the money to buy the boiler, you?re going to spend more money on heating?you?re kind of found in a catch-22.”According to Holden, repairing or replacing your heating system could range from $2,000 to $10,000 and lasts about 20 years.?Getting the equipment that?s much more efficient pays the benefit over years,” said Holden. But, since Holden knows that not everyone has that much cash up front, he went to the bank and asked for their help.Since then, two other local companies have jumped on board: Stocker Oil Company in Peabody and Clarke Brothers Fuel in Salem.Donovan said the bank will see how things turn out this year, and perhaps offer the program on a larger scare next winter.