This year’s Burn Right Tonight campaign reminds Canberrans how best to use their wood heaters to protect their health and the environment.

“Taking steps to maintain your chimney ahead of the winter period and following up with actions throughout the colder seasons to run your wood heater efficiently can reduce negative impacts on the environment and air quality,” said Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for the Environment. “Your neighbours will thank you as well.”

To use your wood heater efficiently, regardless of its age:

•           use dry, well-seasoned, untreated wood bought from a reputable firewood merchant

•           start fires with the air control fully open, using plenty of kindling

•           use smaller logs to maintain a vigorous fire

•           leave the air control open so your fire doesn’t smoulder overnight.

“Smoke from wood heaters is one of the largest sources of air pollution in the ACT, making the maintenance and efficient operation of wood heaters during winter paramount to protecting both the community’s health and the environment,” Ms Vassarotti said.

“Canberrans care deeply about good air quality, so taking measures to educate the community on the correct use of wood heaters is important in continuing to protect the air quality we have come to expect.”

The Wood Heater Replacement Program has different rebates to help you permanently remove your wood heater and replace it with a more efficient, cleaner heater. Incentives range from $250 to permanently close off open fireplaces and remove wood heaters to $1,250 to remove your wood heater and install a ducted electric reverse-cycle system.

Earlier this year, the ACT Government asked the public why they keep or remove wood heaters, and discussed the support provided through the Wood Heater Replacement Program. The government is considering ways to improve these financial incentives, so more wood heater owners can transition to cleaner, more efficient electric options, Ms Vassarotti said.

The ACT Bushfire Smoke and Air Quality Strategy 2021–2025 outlines the ACT Government’s commitment to improve the Wood Heater Replacement Program, strengthen emissions standards for wood heaters, and move towards phasing out older, polluting wood heaters that do not meet clean air standards.