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Taking the time to ensure your wood heater is installed correctly will make sure you have a sustainable heat source for years to come.

Clearances to combustibles for units will be outlined in the literature provided by the manufacturer of your unit. These include side clearances, rear wall clearances and clearances required if installing the unit into a corner. It will also dictate the hearth requirements for the unit including thickness and projection in front of and beside the firebox door opening.

The flue used for the unit will also need to comply with the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2918.

Drop boxes and wall and floor penetration kits must be used when penetrating sections of your home.

A minimum flue height of 4.6 metres from the hearth to the fuel cap is required. At the flue cap you must have at least 3 metres clearance to your adjacent roof, and minimum 6 metres horizontally to any neighbouring structures or buildings.

Not meeting these requirements could cause the fire to burn incorrectly, cause a smoke nuisance, or could create a fire hazard.

State and local councils may have different requirements about who can install the unit or the certification required. Check the statutory requirements in your area before starting any work. To get the best advice ask your local AHHA member.

1. Ensure the Air Slide is in the open or high position.
2. In firebox lay your fire lighters 10 to 15 centimetres apart, depending on the size of your firebox. Do not use newspaper as a fire lighter.
3. Add soft wood kindling in a criss cross pattern above the firelighters. Softwood kindling allows for fire to light quicker and burn hotter.
4. Light fire with match or gas lighter, when fire is ablaze close the door, but do not latch the door. Leave for 5-10 minutes maximum and do not leave unattended.
5. Load pieces of hardwood that are no wider than a drink can in a criss cross pattern.
6. Latch the door and leave latched for 30 minutes. If your heater has a fan, do not run the fan for at least 45 minutes.
7. After 30 minutes add the large pieces of hardwood. These pieces should be no bigger than a loaf of bread. Close and latch door after loading.
8. After 45 minutes you can adjust the air slide to slow fire down and find your comfort level. If you have a fan fitted you can now turn it on.

With new Australian standards introduced recently slow combustion fires burn more efficiently than ever before. This makes the quality of firewood more important.

How long a tree has been felled or dead for does not indicate how dry the wood is.

The best way to dry wood is to split it and expose the inner core allowing the sun to dry the wood naturally.

Good wood merchants will split the wood for you, but may not season it for you.

The amount you pay for your wood does not justify how dry the wood is. The only way to know how dry your wood is, is to use a moisture meter measuring from the inner core of the wood.

Only burn wood under 20% moisture. Anything over 20% and your wood heater will not work efficiently. The energy from the fire will be used to reduce moisture in your wood and not produce heat for your house.

Store your wood for at least 12 months after your have purchased it. Your wood should be at a perfect moisture level, of around 15 to 20%.

Never burn treated wood or painted wood.

For overnight burning, load the heater at least half an hour before going to bed. Only turn the air supply down to minimum once all the wood is charred (about 15-20 minutes) to avoid creosote problems.

For the best results, always use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer. If your heater meets the Australian emission standard, it will have a compliance plate which specifies the correct fuel to use.

Obtain expert advice on solid fuel appliances. Retailers who are members of the Australian Home Heating Association can provide helpful advice.

Allow full air for 15-20 minutes after each refuelling.

Maintaining your wood heater will not only ensure your unit is safe, but efficient and clean burning.

AHHA recommends that the unit should be serviced at least every 12 months. A regular service will ensure the important aspects of your wood heater are functioning correctly.

The flue needs to be cleaned to make sure there is no creosote build up. Built up creosote can result in a flue fire which is extremely dangerous.

Inspecting the inside of the flue and external exit cowl for obstructions is also important. Wood fire flues operate at extremely high temperatures and making sure there are no blockages or obstructions is vital for safe operation of your unit.

It’s also important to check to make sure the installation has not been affected by wind damage or other natural events.

The flue exit cowl requires a minimum of 3 meters clearance to any obstruction. Make sure no over hanging trees or branches have grown into the clearance zone.

Visually check the inside of the unit, looking for any cracking or splitting of the firebox itself. Also ensure the cast iron or firebrick lining is intact.

Make sure the baffle plate is intact and located in its correct position.

Check the door seal, door glass seal and door latch. If the door is not sealing correctly, you may need to replace the latch or affected rope seal. Make sure the glass is intact and free of cracks.

If the unit is fitted with a fan, make sure the blades are free of debris. A vacuum cleaner can be used to remove any build up of ash and lint around the blades.