Small changes at home this winter can cut smoke and costs

Making sure the air we breathe is cleaner can also help families heat their homes more efficiently this winter.

Environment Southland’s winter air quality monitoring season officially started on 1 May and runs through until 31 August.

Environment Southland Science Investigations and Operations Manager Ash Rabel said it’s a good time for people to consider the choices they are making when heating their homes.

“During winter, poor air quality can be an issue in Murihiku Southland, particularly in the Invercargill and Gore airsheds,” Ash Rabel said.

“Home heating is one area where people can make the biggest difference to our air quality.”

Everyone’s health is affected by poor air quality, but particularly our most vulnerable – children, the elderly and those with existing respiratory conditions.

Environment Southland monitors air quality in Southland and reports the results for Gore and Invercargill each week during the winter months and with live data on the website.

“This live data means you can make an informed decision about heading out for a run, to walk the family pet or take part in team training.”

At times, air pollution can reach alert levels, which means the level of small particles (PM10) exceeds the national standards designed to protect human health. More than 90% of human-caused PM10 is a result of burning wood and coal in domestic burners.

Making sure you are choosing wisely when heating your home does not have to be an expensive exercise, he said.

“Not only does burning wet wood create a large amount of smoke, it also gives off much less warmth than dry wood, so it can cost more to heat your home.”

Top tips for keeping warm this winter

• Ensuring the wood you burn is stored well and is dry at the time of burning is one of the simplest ways to get more heat for your money while also reducing smoke. Dry wood lights easier, burns hotter and cleaner, and means less fuel is needed to keep your home comfortable.
• You can also cut heating costs and reduce the amount of smoke produced by keeping warmth in. Close curtains before dark, block draughts around doors and windows, and focus on heating the rooms you’re using rather than the whole house.
• Buying firewood? Opt for a trusted supplier. Environment Southland operates a Good Wood approved suppliers’ scheme, in which firewood retailers voluntarily agree to supply wood which has the recommended moisture level of less than 25 percent.
• Other tips for improving how you use your home burner include not banking the fire overnight, maintaining a hot and bright burn, sweeping the chimney regularly and ensuring the burner is maintained – a well-maintained burner and clean flue can run more efficiently and produce less smoke.
• Also, if possible, consider using other heating methods, such as heat pumps, on cold, still nights, as this is when air pollutants can typically reach unhealthy levels. To get the best value from a heat pump, use a steady temperature rather than turning it on and off, and clean filters regularly.

The Regional Air Plan includes rules to help improve air quality. In the Invercargill and Gore airsheds, open fires are prohibited and non-compliant burners are being progressively phased out.

For those outside the airsheds, consented fireplaces of any kind may still be used, provided they aren’t used with prohibited fuels such as rubbish and treated wood.

Keep up with how our air quality is faring, with live PM10 readings for the Invercargill and Gore airsheds at www.es.govt.nz/air

The section also has information about the phasing out of non-compliant domestic burners, Good Wood suppliers, good burning practices and more.