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Correct operation: Tips to keep your house warm overnight

Cartoon image of Anti Smoke Sam

  • 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

Friday 29 August 2008: Summary for the 24 hours to 3 PM: GOOD to FAIR air quality in Melbourne & Geelong, and GOOD to VERY GOOD air quality in Latrobe Valley.

Forecast: GOOD to VERY GOOD air quality is expected in Melbourne tomorrow [Saturday]