Beat the winter rush: get your home warm and ready now

As winter approaches, a bit of planning can pay off, for a warmer home, lower heating costs, and cleaner air for Canterbury once the cold sets in.

When the cold sets in, firewood sells out quickly and heating problems can be harder to fix. Taking a few simple steps now will help keep your home warm when temperatures drop, and help reduce the smoke that can hang over our neighbourhoods on cold nights. 

Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) Councillor Sara Gerards says preparation adds up to healthier air for the whole community. 

“If households take a few simple steps now – servicing their burners, choosing dry wood and stopping heat leaks – winter heating is cleaner, warmer and more efficient,” she said. 

Simple steps to take to keep you warm this winter

Book your winter heating servicing early 

A well-maintained heating appliance or wood burner can warm your home more efficiently and use less energy. 

• If you have a wood burner: Book a chimney sweep and basic safety check of your burner now so it’s ready before winter. 
• If you use a heat pump: A quick clean and service can make a big difference to how well it performs and how much it costs to run. 

Sort your firewood now – and store it right 

Dry wood burns hotter, gives you more heat, and creates far less smoke. 

If you’re still buying firewood, choosing a Good Wood Merchant is one of the best things you can do. These merchants are checked to make sure they’re selling properly seasoned, dry wood – meaning better heat, less smoke, fewer winter headaches, and cleaner air for the whole community. 

Already have your firewood? Help it dry even more by:

• Stacking it off the ground 
• Covering the top (but leaving the sides open for airflow) 
• Keeping a small dry stack near the door for rainy days.

Check: is your log burner compliant?

Some burners are getting close to their expiry dates, and it’s much easier to deal with this before winter hits. You can look up your burner in the Solid Fuel Burner Database to check its status.

“If you’re not sure whether your burner is compliant, now is the time to check – before winter really sets in. Our Solid Fuel Burner Database makes it quick and easy, and if you’re unsure what the result means, we’re always happy to talk it through,” said Councillor Gerard. 

Tackle small home fixes while the weather’s good

A few simple jobs can make a big difference to how warm your home feels:

• Stop draughts around doors, windows and floorboards
• Close curtains before the sun goes down
• Add thermal liners if you can
• Check insulation access points and seal any gaps

When less heat escapes, you burn less fuel – saving money and reducing smoke.

Thinking about upgrading? Organise your heating subsidy now

Upgrading your heating – whether it’s a new heat pump or an ultra‑low‑emission burner – can take time to plan and book. Starting now means you can compare options and avoid long winter wait times.

Home heating subsidies of up to $5000 are available and can be used to replace an old wood burner with an efficient new heating appliance (wood burner or a heat pump) and its installation.

Check your eligibility, and find out how to apply, or call our friendly advisory team on 0800 324 636 if you have any questions.

For more information about home heating rules, burner compliance and heating subsidies in Canterbury, visit our home heating guidance page.