Tips to reduce smoke from your wood heater

Correct installation, maintenance and operation of your wood heater will ensure you enjoy the warmth of your fire AND avoid creating excess smoke that may be a nuisance to your neighbour.

• Only purchase a wood heater that is certified to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4013:1999.
  
  
• Install in accordance with the Building Act 1993 by a licensed person.
  
  
• Prior to winter have your flue professionally checked and cleaned.
  
• Refer to the manufacturer's operation manual for operation instructions specific to your wood heater brand.
  
  
• Burn only dry, seasoned, untreated wood.
  
  
• Get a hot fire going quickly with plenty of paper and small kindling.
  
  
• Keep the air controls set high enough to keep your fire burning brightly.
  
  
• Never overload your wood heater by placing too much wood in the fire.
  
  
• Never leave your wood heater to smoulder overnight. Doing this starves the fire of oxygen, producing more smoke and air pollution.
  
  
• Go outside and check the chimney occasionally for smoke emissions.
  
  
• Consider the well being of your neighbours.
  
  
• Reducing use of your wood heater or fireplace, particularly on still days, is the best way to improve air quality.
  
  
• If you live in the city and are thinking of a wood heater for your home, consider natural gas instead. Gas heaters produce less pollution than wood heaters.
  
  

If you use wood heating, or it is your only available source of heating, the impact on air quality can be reduced through correct operation of your wood heater:

• tips to select firewood
• tips for efficient lighting and burning.

Did you know?

The amount of smoke a fire makes depends on how much oxygen is available, how hot the fire is, how well seasoned the wood is and whether you have just started the fire or whether it is established.

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