Using your wood heater correctly will improve Canberra’s air quality, save you money, and keep your home warm.
Tips for better burning:
- A well-maintained heater and flue will increase the efficiency of your heater. Have your flue swept prior to every heating season.
- Buy wood from an authorised firewood merchant and store it in a well ventilated covered space.
- Only use dry, well seasoned, untreated wood.
- When starting your fire, always have the air control fully open and use plenty of kindling to start a hot fire quickly.
- Place logs in the firebox with about 2cm between them to allow good air flow.
- Use smaller logs when reloading, they make it easier to establish a hot fire quickly and allow the fire to burn on high for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Do not overfill the heater – use 2 or 3 small logs in the heater, never 1 large log.
- Don’t let your fire smoulder overnight – keep the air control open enough to maintain a flame. A fire set on low causes excessive smoke pollution.
For more information:
https://www.environment.act.gov.au/environment/residential_information/burn-right-tonight
Felicity Maher
Sustainability Officer
