This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/03/fire-smoke-wood-stoves-burning

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
No fire without smoke: wood stove trend creates a burning issue No fire without smoke: wood stove trend creates a burning issue
(3 months later)
While the smell of woody fires and a soft smoky haze across some country towns is as welcome a sign of winter arriving as fallen autumn leaves, few realise that domestic solid fuel burning contributes more polluting particulate matter than cars to the atmosphere every year.While the smell of woody fires and a soft smoky haze across some country towns is as welcome a sign of winter arriving as fallen autumn leaves, few realise that domestic solid fuel burning contributes more polluting particulate matter than cars to the atmosphere every year.
Retail sales of wood burners over the past four winters have jumped by 20% across Australia, and record numbers of permits are being issued for domestic wood collection as increasing numbers spend frosty nights by the fire in an attempt to reduce soaring electricity bills.Retail sales of wood burners over the past four winters have jumped by 20% across Australia, and record numbers of permits are being issued for domestic wood collection as increasing numbers spend frosty nights by the fire in an attempt to reduce soaring electricity bills.
But, despite the growing economic appeal of a hot roaring fire, tighter national regulations are being examined, including potential strict new limits on emissions levels for all new heaters on the market, well below the existing Australian standard.But, despite the growing economic appeal of a hot roaring fire, tighter national regulations are being examined, including potential strict new limits on emissions levels for all new heaters on the market, well below the existing Australian standard.
In April a joint state and federal environment committee released a "regulation impact" paper that proposes significant changes to the criteria for emissions from wood heaters, much lower than what is already on the market.In April a joint state and federal environment committee released a "regulation impact" paper that proposes significant changes to the criteria for emissions from wood heaters, much lower than what is already on the market.
The paper, by the Council of Australian Governments (Coag) standing council on environment and water, found the regulatory and policy framework to control wood heater emissions in Australia had "failed to meet its objectives".The paper, by the Council of Australian Governments (Coag) standing council on environment and water, found the regulatory and policy framework to control wood heater emissions in Australia had "failed to meet its objectives".
While state governments have had rules around air quality standards for some time, and many local councils have started programs to reduce wood smoke pollution in their regions, wood heaters account for up to 50% of some of the finest particle emissions in the Sydney region on an annual basis – making them the largest single source of particles, according to the latest NSW air inventory.While state governments have had rules around air quality standards for some time, and many local councils have started programs to reduce wood smoke pollution in their regions, wood heaters account for up to 50% of some of the finest particle emissions in the Sydney region on an annual basis – making them the largest single source of particles, according to the latest NSW air inventory.
Retailers want a greater focus on education and communication campaigns to improve operator awareness ahead of any tighter restrictions. However, the report suggests design improvements to the heaters as the most effective means of reducing pollution rather than relying on "operator skill".Retailers want a greater focus on education and communication campaigns to improve operator awareness ahead of any tighter restrictions. However, the report suggests design improvements to the heaters as the most effective means of reducing pollution rather than relying on "operator skill".
In Australia's icy capital, Canberra, the average daily minimum temperature is -0.2 °C at the height of winter. Smoke from wood heaters was a major issue in last year's ACT election campaign after the government banned them in three new suburbs due to concerns about smoke pollution.In Australia's icy capital, Canberra, the average daily minimum temperature is -0.2 °C at the height of winter. Smoke from wood heaters was a major issue in last year's ACT election campaign after the government banned them in three new suburbs due to concerns about smoke pollution.
Even though air quality in Canberra is considered very good, smoke from domestic wood heaters is the largest source of air pollution in the expanding inland city.Even though air quality in Canberra is considered very good, smoke from domestic wood heaters is the largest source of air pollution in the expanding inland city.
The Canberra ban is not retrospective and does not apply to existing heaters, but there is a definite move to scale back their use, with rebates being offered to homeowners to trade in their wood heater for a new gas model instead.The Canberra ban is not retrospective and does not apply to existing heaters, but there is a definite move to scale back their use, with rebates being offered to homeowners to trade in their wood heater for a new gas model instead.
A new campaign, Burn Right Tonight, is now also under way in Canberra, although pressure remains on the government to go further with its bans.A new campaign, Burn Right Tonight, is now also under way in Canberra, although pressure remains on the government to go further with its bans.
Yet amid all the bad publicity in recent months, one of Canberra's major wood heating retailers says sales last year were the highest ever, with a 25% increase year on year for the past three years. This year's sales are looking similar.Yet amid all the bad publicity in recent months, one of Canberra's major wood heating retailers says sales last year were the highest ever, with a 25% increase year on year for the past three years. This year's sales are looking similar.
The general manager of the Australian Home Heating Association, Demi Brown, said despite the amount of regulation, more people were turning to wood heating because of the rising cost of gas and electricity.The general manager of the Australian Home Heating Association, Demi Brown, said despite the amount of regulation, more people were turning to wood heating because of the rising cost of gas and electricity.
"Contrary to what many people believe, wood heating provides the cheapest form of domestic heating and also delivers the smallest greenhouse footprint," Brown said."Contrary to what many people believe, wood heating provides the cheapest form of domestic heating and also delivers the smallest greenhouse footprint," Brown said.
She said homeowners could have the warmth of a beautiful fire without all the regulations and without having to emit large amounts of smoke into the air – "education is the key", she believes.She said homeowners could have the warmth of a beautiful fire without all the regulations and without having to emit large amounts of smoke into the air – "education is the key", she believes.
More than a million Australian homes already use wood-burning stoves as their primary source of heating over winter, and it's believed many hundreds of people, especially in rural areas, still use old open stone fireplaces.More than a million Australian homes already use wood-burning stoves as their primary source of heating over winter, and it's believed many hundreds of people, especially in rural areas, still use old open stone fireplaces.
With recent rises in electricity prices – largely due to rises in the cost of distributing and transmitting energy to homes and, to a lesser extent, the carbon tax – that number is starting to grow as people look to wood as the lowest cost form of home heating.With recent rises in electricity prices – largely due to rises in the cost of distributing and transmitting energy to homes and, to a lesser extent, the carbon tax – that number is starting to grow as people look to wood as the lowest cost form of home heating.
Current emission standards for slow combustion wood heaters are four grams of particulate matter per kilogram of fuel burnt. The Australian Home Heating Association will voluntarily move to 2.5g/kg from December this year, and Coag will consider a further reduction to 1.5g/kg.Current emission standards for slow combustion wood heaters are four grams of particulate matter per kilogram of fuel burnt. The Australian Home Heating Association will voluntarily move to 2.5g/kg from December this year, and Coag will consider a further reduction to 1.5g/kg.
Analysis in the Coag report looked at the "real-life" operation of new heaters with a design performance of 4g/kg or lower and found in service, properly operated, emissions were realistically more like 5g/kg. When poorly operated, emissions are more than double the current standard at 8.9g/kg.Analysis in the Coag report looked at the "real-life" operation of new heaters with a design performance of 4g/kg or lower and found in service, properly operated, emissions were realistically more like 5g/kg. When poorly operated, emissions are more than double the current standard at 8.9g/kg.
And never mind the ambience, an open fireplace emits more than four times the current emission standard or 17g/kg.And never mind the ambience, an open fireplace emits more than four times the current emission standard or 17g/kg.
On the New South Wales northern tablelands – another frosty region – the Armidale Dumaresq council introduced its own policy for reducing emissions from wood burners in March 2011 amid much concern from local residents about the economic impact.On the New South Wales northern tablelands – another frosty region – the Armidale Dumaresq council introduced its own policy for reducing emissions from wood burners in March 2011 amid much concern from local residents about the economic impact.
Measures included lower emissions thresholds, old heater replacement rebates and the potential to fine residents with visibly polluting fireplaces.Measures included lower emissions thresholds, old heater replacement rebates and the potential to fine residents with visibly polluting fireplaces.
The council's sustainability co-ordinator, Carol Davies, said Armidale council monitored air quality daily from two sites, but admitted it still had no evidence that pollution levels were going down.The council's sustainability co-ordinator, Carol Davies, said Armidale council monitored air quality daily from two sites, but admitted it still had no evidence that pollution levels were going down.
She blamed a recent rise in the use of wood heaters, and a long-held attachment people had to their wood fires, as the reason nothing was changing.She blamed a recent rise in the use of wood heaters, and a long-held attachment people had to their wood fires, as the reason nothing was changing.
"It would be optimistic to say pollution levels have improved … we can't say that," Davies said."It would be optimistic to say pollution levels have improved … we can't say that," Davies said.
"But anecdotally more heaters are going in.""But anecdotally more heaters are going in."
Davies said it was the design of the heater and the way it was used which had the biggest effect on the environment.Davies said it was the design of the heater and the way it was used which had the biggest effect on the environment.
"It's an emotive issue," she said. People love their fires. And it's not wood or fires that are the problem, it's the smoke."It's an emotive issue," she said. People love their fires. And it's not wood or fires that are the problem, it's the smoke.
"Smoky chimneys are the problem. We see that as bad as litter on the ground.""Smoky chimneys are the problem. We see that as bad as litter on the ground."
Davies said for any new regulations to be effective, particularly if more people are turning to wood heaters, the pollution standard needed to come down further to as little as 1g – a move that would see more than 90% of the current heaters on the market non-compliant.Davies said for any new regulations to be effective, particularly if more people are turning to wood heaters, the pollution standard needed to come down further to as little as 1g – a move that would see more than 90% of the current heaters on the market non-compliant.
Brown said air quality could improve significantly in Armidale and elsewhere if councils used the abatement notices available to them through the NSW government.Brown said air quality could improve significantly in Armidale and elsewhere if councils used the abatement notices available to them through the NSW government.
"We believe that if you have the ability to fine people if they continue to emit excessive smoke into the air, then the fine should be issued. Some councils have used these and 99% of the time the problem has been solved.""We believe that if you have the ability to fine people if they continue to emit excessive smoke into the air, then the fine should be issued. Some councils have used these and 99% of the time the problem has been solved."
The Coag standing council on environment and water is holding public meetings on its proposal to reduce emissions, with submissions closing on 15 July.The Coag standing council on environment and water is holding public meetings on its proposal to reduce emissions, with submissions closing on 15 July.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.