Get the best from your wood burner

As days grow shorter and nights become cooler, many Marlborough residents depend on their wood burners to stay warm during winter.

Are you making the most of yours? Here are five tips to keep your home cozy and your burner functioning well:

• ensure firewood is dry, as wet wood forces the burner to dry it instead of producing heat
• have a professional clean your flue and inspect your burner; worn parts or a clogged flue from last year’s residues can reduce efficiency and increase fire risks
• use paper and dry kindling or pinecones to start your fire
• let the fire establish itself before adding larger or more wood
• after 15 minutes, check your chimney outside: a properly burning fire will be hot with little visible smoke.

If your burner is over 15 years old, it isn’t as efficient, meaning you'll burn more wood for the same heat. Burners installed before September 2005 are no longer allowed in the Blenheim airshed.

For further details, go to: www.marlborough.govt.nz/environment/air-quality/what-are-good-burning-practices