Wood-heater owners have a responsibility to ensure their heater operates correctly and ensure they only burn dry, seasoned firewood. An excessively smoking wood heater causes air pollution and wood smoke that contains fine particles which can affect our lungs. These fine particles are particularly dangerous to people who have existing respiratory problems, the very young and elderly.

Looking up at your chimney stand about 50 metres away from your house and hold the chimney checker scale (pictured) up to eye level.  Compare the smoke from your chimney with the scale.

You can reduce the amount of smoke coming from your chimney by keeping the fire burning brightly, never using green wet or treated firewood and keeping woodpiles covered. A document produced by the Department of Environment, Wood Smoke provides additional information on how to ensure excessive smoke is not produced by your wood heater.
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