Professionals Nowra There is nothing better than a cosy wood fire to warm the house in winter. Some people think it is complicated and messy but if you follow the tips below you will have your fire burning brightly and efficiently all winter long:
- Always burn small logs of dry, well-seasoned (aged) hardwood.
- Use firelighters or plenty of dry kindling to quickly establish a good fire.
- Keep the fire compact. Place logs in such a way as to maximise the radiation between burning logs while still allowing enough space for air to flow through.
- Do not cram the firebox full of wood. Frequent small additions are better than a few large additions. Keep the fuel size small.
- Before adding more fuel, open the air inlet to maximum and open the flue damper for about five minutes. Keep them open for at least 20 minutes afterwards. This creates a fire hot enough to ignite the fresh load quickly and get it burning well.
- Never burn rubbish, driftwood or treated or pointed wood – not only can this pollute the air but it can be poisonous.
- Stack wood loosely in your firebox so air can circulate.
- Check your chimney regularly – if there is smoke coming from the chimney, increase the air supply to your fire.
Clean the chimney every year to prevent creosote build up. Creosote is a sticky black residue that can build up in your chimney—it restricts air flow and makes your fire harder to start. A creosote-clogged chimney can spill smoke into your room when you open the heater and even catch fire, putting your home at risk.
Note: Current legislation allows households who produce excessive amounts of woodsmoke to be issued with a Prevention Notice. This attracts a $320 fee.
Don’t have a Solid Fuel Heater yet?
Prior to installation make sure you have Council approval. You can download an information brochure and an application form from Council’s website www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au. Just click on the My Property tab.