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If your wood heater is installed, maintained and operated correctly it is less likely to cause a nuisance to your neighbours in creating excess smoke. Follow these tips and tricks published by the EPA Victoria in reducing the amount of smoke your wood heater creates.
Only purchase a wood heater that is certified to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4013:1999.
Ensure your heater is installed by a licensed person in accordance with the Building Act 1993.
Before winter have your flue professionally checked and cleaned.
Refer to the manufacturer's operation manual for instructions specific to your wood heater model.
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 the fire burning brightly.
Never overload your wood heater with too much wood.
Never leave your heater to smoulder overnight. This starves the fire of oxygen, producing more smoke and air pollution.
Go outside and check the chimney occasionally for smoke emissions.
Consider the wellbeing of your neighbours.
Reducing use of your wood heater or fireplace, particularly on still days, can significantly 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.
The amount of smoke a fire makes depends on how much oxygen is available, how hot the fire is, and how dry and well-seasoned the wood is.
Remember: Under Buloke Shire Law a person must not burn any offensive materials including any of the following:
(a) any manufactured material;
(b) any plastic;
(c) any petroleum or oil;
(d) any paint or receptacle which contains or contained paint;
(e) food waste, fish or other offensive or noxious matter; and
(f) any material that in the opinion of the Authorised Officer produces excessive or noxious smoke emissions when burnt.
If you are in a residential area you MUST apply for a permit to burn off
If you are concerned about any fire or burn off, please contact the CFA directly
If you have any questions regarding this information, please do not hesitate to contact council’s Coordinator Public Health and Emergency Management or Local Laws Officer on 1300 520 520.