Dos and don'ts of wood heating

Do Don't
 Black tick Check your heater complies with the Australian Standard for pollution emissions (AS 4013:1999)  Black cross Don't use old inefficient heaters that don't comply with pollution standards
     Black cross Don't use open fires
 Black tick Burn only, dry seasoned hardwood  Black cross Don't burn coal, coke or moist wood
 Black tick Check your wood is dry by tapping it with a coin. You should hear a loud, hollow sound.  Black cross Don't burn rubbish or painted or treated wood
 Black tick Use a number of small logs in your heater  Black cross Don't burn just one log
 Black tick Store freshly cut wood for eight to twelve months before use  Black cross Don't use green wood
 Black tick Store wood under cover in a dry ventilated area  Black cross Don't store your wood where it is exposed to water or moisture
 Black tick Be aware of the source of your wood  Black cross Don't harvest wood in a way that threatens vegetation and animal habitats
 Black tick Ask your wood seller to verify whether wood for immediate use is aged and dry    
 Black tick Stack wood loosely in your fire box, so plenty of air circulates around it  Black cross Don't pack wood too tightly in the firebox
 Black tick Keep the flame lively and bright  Black cross Don't let your fire smoulder
 Black tick Open the air controls fully for 5 minutes before and 15 to 20 minutes after loading the heater  Black cross Don't keep the vent closed when you add fuel
 Black tick Keep enough air in the fire to maintain a flame or let it go out overnight  Black cross Don't dampen down your fire or let it smoulder overnight
 Black tick Rely on your home's insulation to hold in enough heat for the night  Black cross Don't allow creosote to build up in the flue, increasing the risk of a chimney fire.
 Black tick Check your chimney regularly to see how well your fire is burning.  If it is smoky, increase the air supply    
 Black tick Clean the woodheater flue and baffle regularly    

Tags:

Page last updated