Open fires and (old) woodburners are the main cause of winter air pollution and there are subsidies to replace them with less polluting heating systems. However, using an existing woodburner efficiently, in a way that creates the least pollution possible, will also help reduce pollution.

Woodburning techniques

Build your fire with plenty of newspaper and small, dry kindling. Place another sheet of crumpled paper on top of the kindling. This will burn quickly and raise the initial temperature of your fire.

Light your fire at the front and close the door, but leave unlatched. Once the kindling is burning brightly, add a few pieces of medium-sized wood and latch the door closed. Ensure the air controller is fully open.

Take the 20-minute test

• Is there still visible smoke coming from your chimney 20 minutes after lighting? If there is, your fire is not burning efficiently.
• Once your fire is burning well, add just enough wood to get to a desired warmth. Adding too much wood will create too much smoke and can smother the fire.
• If your fire gets too hot, slide the air controller down to two thirds; this will reduce the heat without creating too much smoke.
• Try to keep your fire near the front of your fireplace. This will increase the efficiency of your fire.
• When you leave your fire to go to bed, stoke your fire - but leave the air controller on full. Your home should hold the warmth of a burnt-out fire overnight. But if it doesn't, it is still cheaper to use a small electric heater in the morning to restore warmth, or to rebuild the fire when you get up.

Get the moisture content of your firewood tested

You can get the moisture content of your firewood tested for free at the following locations:

• Environment Canterbury, Christchurch, phone 353 9007 or 0800 324 636 for an appointment.
• Environment Canterbury, Timaru, phone 684 0500 or 0800 324 636 for an appointment.
• Ashburton District Council, 5 Baring Sq West.
• Waimakariri District Council, 215 High St, Rangiora (winter only).
• Kaiapoi Service Centre (in the public library), 125 Raven Quay, Kaiapoi (winter only).

Pollution Hotline

For complaints about smoky chimneys, please call our 24-hour Pollution Hotline
on 0800 76 55 88.