Enjoy a warmer, cheaper fire this winter

Ultra low emission burner and birds

We want everyone in Canterbury to be warm and cosy this winter. Burning smoke-free means a warmer, cheaper fire for you and your whānau, and better air quality for all of us.  

As the weather turns colder, it’s the perfect time to remember the three elements you need for a warmer, cheaper, smoke-free fire:

  1. Good wood 
  2. Better burning techniques
  3. A modern, well-maintained burner.

Good wood

Burning dry wood produces a warmer fire with less smoke. Because burning dry wood is more efficient, you’ll need less of it to create a warmer, cosy home. Using less wood also means a cheaper winter.

Our list of Trusted Good Wood Merchants includes suppliers in Christchurch, Timaru, Rangiora, Waimate, Kaiapoi, and Ashburton. Every year, we audit these suppliers and test the moisture content of their wood to ensure it is well seasoned. Find your local Good Wood Merchants before you need your next load of firewood.

If you have somewhere dry to store firewood, plan to buy your wood supply in spring or summer. That way, the wood will have several months to dry out before winter.

Not all dry woods are equal. Some burn hotter and produce less smoke. Plantation pine, Douglas fir, and blue gum are some of the hottest burning woods. Old-man pine can be smoky, and so is probably best for kindling or mixed with other woods. Visit one of the Trusted Good Wood Merchants for advice on the best options for a warmer, cheaper, smoke-free fire.

Better burning techniques

Adopting good burning technique is another important step to creating a hot, smoke-free fire.

Fires built using the ‘upside-down’ technique can last anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes before reloading is required. This method involves placing larger wood at the bottom and kindling on top.

Visit Warmer Cheaper to learn the ‘upside-down’ burning method and see video tutorials of the method in action.

Efficient wood burner

Using a modern, well-maintained burner with a clean flue will achieve the warmest, cheapest results. A range of ultra-low emission burners are now available from hardware shops and specialty heating companies. Switching to a heat pump is also an excellent, energy-efficient option.

For more information on how to maintain your wood burner and flue, see our checklist at Warmer Cheaper.

Older-style wood burners produce more pollution than modern burners and can no longer be used in Clean Air Zones. To find out more about your property’s wood burner, search for your address in our Solid Fuel database.

Support is available

If you live in a Clean Air Zone and meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for a subsidy to help you upgrade to an ultra-low emission burner or efficient heat pump.

Find out more on our Home Heating Hub.

Get in touch

For more information about creating a warmer, cheaper fire at your place: