Key findings by CSIRO, the Australia Commonwealth Government’s chief
scientific agency, reveal that firewood produces less greenhouse gas than all
other domestic heating options. These findings finally end the debate about the
most effective home heating method from an environmental perspective.
The CSIRO findings were backed by accepted national and international
protocols for assessing greenhouse gas emissions from biomass. Following the
release of the research results, the NSW Government introduced changes to its
Building Sustainability Index system (BASIX) awarding a very low greenhouse gas
emission rating for residential wood-fire heating, thus confirming that wood
heaters not only have lower emissions than a 5 star gas heater or a 6 star
reverse cycle air conditioner, but are better than every other type of domestic
heating system.
Homeowners can now meet the tough BASIX ratings more easily when building
or renovating with the simple addition of a wood heater to their design. Wood
fireplaces range from state-of-the-art, modern freestanding wood heaters to
traditional hearths.
SCHOTT Australia has created atmosfire.com.au, a one-stop-information-shop
for the growing number of consumers who do their initial research on fireplaces
online. A great resource of useful fireplace information, the website provides
a comprehensive catalogue of fireplaces from classic to contemporary together
with a list of retailers.
Lesley Aitkin, Marketing and Sales Director at SCHOTT Australia explains
that the new atmosfire site is equally beneficial to those upgrading existing
fireplaces as well as new buyers. A traditional wood fireplace could potentially
heat 50m², but the latest slow combustion fireplaces on the market could
potentially heat 250m² in the right home, while using at least 30% less fuel.
According to Ms Aitkin, adding the advanced technology of SCHOTT ROBAX
glass ceramic windows will allow the homeowner to see the flames while still
enjoying the increased efficiency. She adds that SCHOTT is helping households
maximise the heat from every log while enjoying the beauty of their fires.
According to Lachlan Gales of the award winning Ovens and King Builders,
fireplaces are an easily installed, functional and efficient design feature
that adds warmth to a home and boosts its resale value.
Lachlan explains that fireplaces are a very easy addition to the home
space, bringing both warmth and charm, and adding liveability and monetary
value to any home. Sustainably harvested wood used in airtight, slow combustion
wood fireplaces provides excellent energy efficiency and reduces costs.
Designers, architects and builders are increasingly using the SCHOTT platform
atmosfire.com.au to find fireplaces that enhance living spaces while also
reducing their carbon footprint. Modern fireplaces are also increasingly incorporating
the advanced technology of SCHOTT ROBAX glass ceramic windows into their design,
making flame heating exceptionally efficient and safe while maintaining the
romance of the naked flame.
The Australian Home Heating Association (AHHA) says the CSIRO research
and the BASIX response from the NSW Government place wood fired heaters ahead of
other forms of domestic heating in terms of affordability and environmental
benefits.
Top Tips from AHHA for safe,
efficient and affordable use of wood heaters:
- Make sure the wood
heater is properly installed by a qualified installer
- Get your wood heater
serviced each year in spring or early summer
- Use kindling wood,
paper and firelighters to get the fire started
- Add larger pieces of
wood only after a hot bed of coals has been established
- Leave air controls
open for at least 15-20 minutes to start the fire and when re-loading
- Don’t close air
supply totally overnight – a little air avoids a lot of smoke
- A wood heater will
burn better with three or four smaller logs rather than one or two large ones
- Insulate your home,
close doors and curtains to conserve heat but allow enough fresh air for
efficient combustion
