Best Practice Burning and Clean Heating

Burn smoke‑free: best practice tips

Use the right firewood

• Firewood must be dry to burn efficiently and cleanly.
• Firewood with more than 25% moisture content is prohibited for use in Nelson.
• Treated timber must never be burnt.

Buy and store firewood correctly

• Buy firewood in summer so it can dry before winter.
• Split wood into smaller pieces – they dry faster and burn better.
• Stack wood loosely so air can circulate.
• Keep wood off the ground and covered to stay dry.
• Drying times:
  • Softwoods (pine, fir, macrocarpa): 6–12 months
  • Hardwoods (gum, mānuka): 18+ months

Never burn treated timber or waste

Do not burn:

• Treated timber (e.g. CCA-treated wood)
• Plywood, particle board, MDF
• Painted timber
• Plastic, rubbish, or wet wood

Burning treated wood releases toxic chemicals, including arsenic, which is linked to winter air pollution in Nelson and poses serious health risks.

Clean home heating options

Heat pumps

• Move heat from outside to inside (like a fridge in reverse).
• Produce 2–3 times more heat than the electricity they use.
• Provide a dry heat (less condensation).
• Can also be used for cooling and ventilation in summer.

Flued LPG gas heaters

• Combustion gases and moisture go outside via the flue.
• Produce a dry, odour‑free heat.
• Much cleaner than portable (unflued) gas heaters.
• Energy Saver models can reach 85% efficiency.
• Flame‑effect models are also available.

Pellet burners

• Use small compressed sawdust pellets.
• Very low emissions and efficient combustion.
• Automatically feed fuel and ignite themselves.
• No smoky overnight burn‑down.
• Need topping up only every few days.
• Produce very little ash.
• Require electricity to operate (battery backup often available).

See the Council‑approved ultra‑low emission pellet burner list.

Diesel heaters

• Are flued, so combustion products leave the room.
• Require an external diesel tank, filled by a supplier.
• Installation can be costly but provides consistent heat.

Low‑emission wood burners

• If you have an existing lawfully established (consented) wood burner, you may replace it with a Council‑approved solid‑fuel burner authorised under Rule AQr.25 of the Air Quality Plan.

See the Council‑approved wood burner list.

Conserve power and keep warm

• Heat only the rooms you are using.
• Close windows, doors, and curtains to reduce draughts.
• Use heat pumps confidently – they are very energy‑efficient.
• Save power elsewhere: switch off lights, unplug unused appliances, and choose shorter showers.
• It’s okay to use flued gas heaters without affecting power use or air quality.
• Limit use of unflued (portable) gas heaters – they release moisture and indoor pollutants. Always ventilate.
• Sometimes an extra jersey is all you need.
• Consider improving your insulation – you may be eligible for ENERGYWISE™ subsidies. See the Genless website for details.