Timaru, let's keep burning smoke-free this winter

As part of our annual ‘Warmer Cheaper’ campaign, we are encouraging Timaru residents with wood burners to burn smoke-free this winter.  

As the temperature drops, it’s time to start thinking about home heating. For those using wood for home heating, that means using an approved and well-maintained wood burner, dry wood, and good burning techniques to reduce smoke. This will mean cleaner air for us all to breathe.

Older wood burners 

In Timaru, where air pollution can be high during the winter, older wood burners are not permitted in the Clean Air Zone under the Canterbury Air Regional Plan (CARP), which includes rules for managing air quality to achieve national and local air quality standards.

The main source of pollution through winter in Timaru is small airborne particles from burning wood for home heating. Long-term exposure to air pollution is particularly harmful to health.

Air quality in Timaru

Paul Hopwood, Principal Implementation Advisor, explains that the air quality in Timaru has improved significantly over the last two decades, but there is more work to do.

"I’m really pleased to see how Timaru’s air quality has improved over the last 20 years. In the early 2000s, we used to have 50 high pollution days a year, but in 2021 we were down to 13 high pollution days," said Hopwood. "Substantial gains were made by homeowners who have upgraded their home heating and reduced the amount of smoke through better burning technique."

"It would be great to see the number of high pollution days drop down to zero in the next few years, and I think we can get there if we work together," said Hopwood.

Reminder letters for some residents with older burners

In early May 2022, we will be sending letters to remind some Timaru residents to replace older, non-compliant burners. You can check the Solid Fuel Burner Database to find out more about the age of your wood burner and when it may need to be replaced. 

"If Timaru residents keep switching to low-emission heating options like heat pumps and ultra low-emission burners, we’ll all be breathing cleaner, healthier air," said Hopwood.

"If people need advice on their wood burner, they can get in touch with our team for help. We want everyone to be warm and cosy in their homes this winter. "

Wood burner rules for Timaru:

The following rules apply to sites that are less than 2 hectares in size and within the Timaru Clean Air Zone: 

• Ultra-low emission burners are allowed into all homes  
• Installation of low-emission burners is not allowed  
• Use of existing low-emission burners is allowed for up to 15 years from installation .

Tips on staying warmer, cheaper

For more helpful tips on being ‘Warmer, Cheaper’ and how-to videos, including the upside-down fire-starting technique, visit warmercheaper.co.nz.