If your fire is too smoky, there are several things you can do...
- Use dry, seasoned, untreated wood. The logs should make a 'crack' sound when struck together not a 'dull thud'
- Stack wood undercover in a dry well ventilated area
- Use small logs and place them in your heater in a way that ensures air can circulate freely
 - Burn the fire brightly. Run the heater on a high burn rate (air control fully open) for 5 minutes before and 15 to 20 minutes after adding logs
- Don't let your heater smolder overnight - keep the air control open enough to maintain a flame. A well insulated house will stay warmer longer
Other good wood heating practices... - Keep your heater and the flue clean to ensure good air flow
- Be aware of the source of your wood - firewood harvesting is destroying some of our most threatened remnant vegetation and animal habitats
- When buying a new wood heater, choose one certified to Australian Standard AS4013 with low emission factor, and make sure it's the right size - a big heater burning slowly produces more smoke than a small heater burning fast
- If you use an open fireplace, only use it on special occasions - they are 5 times less efficient than wood heaters
- If you follow these guidelines you'll save money, help the environment and we'll all breathe the benefits
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