Scientific evidence tells us that inefficient wood burners and sub-optimal wood burner operations contribute significantly to poor wintertime air quality in Canterbury. That’s why we encourage the use of ENERGY STAR®, qualified heat pumps or ultra-low emission burners (ULEBs) that emit far less smoke than older-style burners. Through the annual Warmer Cheaper campaign, we encourage better burning practices so you can get the best out of your wood burner and learn to burn smoke free.

Home heating guidelines for your Clean Air Zone

Find out the wood burner rules in your clean air zone.

Financial assistance for replacement heating

Help with replacing old heating systems.

Burner types

Learn about the main home heating systems in Waitaha/Canterbury, emission standards and installation guidelines.

Solid fuel burner database

Check the expiry date of your wood burner

Authorised burners

Check if a wood burner is authorised here.

Warmer Cheaper

Get tips on how to burn smoke free and where to buy good dry firewood.

Registering your new burner

If you are installing a wood burner or pellet fire within a Clean Air Zone, you will need to register it using our Solid Fuel Burner Database or by ringing customer services with your details.

You can also use the database to:

  • check the age of your existing burner
  • check the age of a burner at a property you are thinking of purchasing
  • let us know when home ownership changes
  • update your burner details.

Air quality tools