Correct operation: Tips to keep your house warm overnight

- Closing off all air to a fire produces very little heat and a lot of smoke.
- Only turn down the air supply when you have a hot bed of charcoal.
At least half an hour before you go to bed:
- Reload your heater with good quality wood.
- Run it on a high burn rate for 25 minutes.
- Turn the heater down but ensure that a visible flame is maintained.
- Never shut the air flow right down.
- Let the fire burn itself out over night.
Turning the air supply right down does not gain you any advantage, because the wood will only smoulder, creating little heat and a large amount of wood smoke.
Did you know?
To avoid a smouldering fire, consider alternatives to burning overnight. A portable electric heater, appropriate for size of the room being heated, switched on with a timer a short time before you wake will take the chill out of the morning air.
Air quality summary
Monday 23 November 2009: Summary for the 24 hours to 9 AM: VERY GOOD air quality in Melbourne and Geelong, and GOOD air quality in Latrobe Valley.
Forecast: GOOD to VERY GOOD air quality is expected in Melbourne today [Monday]