Keep Shoalhaven Air Clean by Burning Dry Seasoned Hardwood this Winter

As winter continues across our region, we are reminded of the simple steps that keep solid fuel heaters well maintained and producing good levels of heat, as well as keeping Shoalhaven air clean.  

Good maintenance practices of solid fuel heaters help to ensure your solid fuel heater has a long and healthy life, and that your family and community breathe in clean and good quality air through winter. 

Some simple tips that mean less maintenance over time and help save costs are: 

1. Only burn seasoned hardwood that’s been properly stored (so it’s aged, dry and protected). 

2. At the end of this winter prepare for next winter by: 

• Getting the flue cleaned 

• Store next year's wood at the end of this winter to season it ready for next year

  3. Use the heater efficiently so you go through less firewood. 

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley said, “Shoalhaven is one of the Local Government Areas where wood fires are still an accepted form of heating - by all doing our bit to keep our fires from smoking, we get to keep wood heating in our lives.  

“Seasoned hardwood stored properly is the best fuel for burning. It burns better and it creates more heat. Burning seasoned wood means less flue maintenance and saves you money. It also ensures clean, good quality Shoalhaven air. 

As a requirement of Australian regulations solid fuel heaters must comply with Australian standards and have a compliance plate and a current certificate of compliance. 

Only Australian Standard solid fuel heaters are approved by Council, never install a second hand solid fuel heater. 

“Approval from Council is required to ensure that the installation and any related construction complies with the applicable standards and to ensure that minimum health safety standards have been observed,” said Mayor Findley.  

For more information about installing a solid fuel heater and efficient wood heater operation view our Solid Fuel Heaters page.