Wood – A Better Choice

Wood is our world’s timeless source of warmth. A natural, cost effective, renewable resource that – with the help of advanced design and technology – has led to modernised wood heaters meeting and contributing to Australia’s strict emission standards, dropping from 4.0g/kg in 2015 to 1.5g/kg in 2019.

Embrace the warmth of a wood fire, where sustainability meets comfort.

Wood Heating – Naturally Superior

Renewable Resource

Wood is a renewable resource, sustainable through the continuous replanting of trees. A far better choice for the environment compared to non-renewable fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Carbon Neutrality

Burning wood is deemed carbon-neutral as emitted CO2 is offset by tree absorption. In contrast, burning fossil fuels raises atmospheric carbon, contributing to climate change.

Local Availability

Locally available wood reduces transportation needs and energy costs, benefiting the local economy and decreasing dependence on imported energy sources.

Independence

Utilising wood for heating offers energy independence as homeowners can locally harvest or purchase wood, decreasing reliance on centralised energy systems and infrastructure.

Energy Efficiency

Modern wood-burning stoves prioritise energy efficiency through improved combustion and insulation. Their heat distribution mechanisms deliver cost effective heating solutions.

Aesthetic Appeal

Wood fires enhance the ambiance of a living space, creating a cozy and warm atmosphere with the visual appeal and sound of crackling wood contributing to the overall heating experience.

Insider Guide To Choosing A Wood Heater

KNOWLEDGE: Understand exactly how a wood heater works and your heating requirements.

HOME SIZE: Consider the size, space, and layout of your home and measure the area you want to heat.

TYPE OF HEATER: There are two basic types of wood heaters in Australia – radiant and convection.

INSULATION: How insulated is your home? Modern homes have wall and roof insulation, making them more efficient.

WINDOWS & FURNITURE: Types of glazing and furnishings absorb heat and are important to think about.

LOCATION: Consider where you will locate the unit with respect to your home’s layout to maximise efficiency.

GEOGRAPHY: Where you live in Australia makes a big difference to your heating needs.

HEATER SIZE: Heaters that are too small or too large will be inefficient and potentially dangerous to operate.

Free Standing Convection Heaters

Free standing convection heaters are designed with air cavities around the outside of the firebox with a decorative outer casing. Heat is distributed by convective currents, with cooler air being drawn in to rise between the firebox and the outer casing, keeping the outside of the unit relatively cool.

Convection heaters transfer about two-thirds of their heat output by convection and about one-third by radiation.

Convection wood heaters generally provide a fairly even heat throughout a room and, because their exterior surfaces are lower in temperature than radiant models, they are less likely to cause burns from direct contact. A fireguard is still recommended.

Free Standing Radiant Heaters

Free standing radiant heaters transfer about two-thirds of their heat output by radiation and about one-third by convection. They have very hot surface temperatures and heat by sending their heat out in all directions. The surface of objects such as walls, floors, ceilings, furniture and people that face the wood heater, are warmed directly by the radiated heat.

Radiant wood heaters warm quickly so if you sit close to them you can feel the heat even if the whole room hasn’t yet warmed up.

Fan Forced Heaters

Fan forced heaters are usually a convection style heater with a 2 or 3 speed blower fitted to increase the speed of the normal convection process and are ideal for larger homes where air movement is a priority

Inbuilt Heaters

Inbuilt heaters are designed to be in contact with or built into a heat sensitive structure within a building.

These types of appliances must be tested in a laboratory in accordance with AS/NZS 2918 to ensure their compliance with safety requirements.

Insert Heaters

Insert heaters are specifically designed for installation within a masonry fireplace. Inserts are commonly used to convert open brick fireplaces, which are usually unable to produce sufficient heat.

This type of conversion ensures that most of the heat is delivered to the room instead of being trapped in the masonry structure, or wasted via the chimney.

AS/NZS 2918 now requires a stainless steel flue be installed from the flue collar of the appliance to the top of the chimney greatly improving performance.

The evolution of fireplace insert designs together with improved installation has enhanced performance to the extent that today’s fireplace inserts are almost as efficient as freestanding units.

Pellet Heaters

Pellet heaters are heaters that burn compressed wood or biomass pellets to create a source of heat for residential and sometimes industrial spaces.

By slowly feeding fuel from a storage container (hopper) into a burn-pot area, they create a constant flame that requires little to no physical adjustments.

Exempt/Excluded Appliances

There are a few different types of domestic solid fuel burning appliances that are excluded from AS/NZS 4012 and AS/NZS 4013. Note that this does not make them excluded from the installation standard AS/NZS 2918.

Types of appliances excluded from the Australian Standards AS/NZS 4012 and AS/NZS 4013 are:

Central Heating Appliances – which is an appliance intended for space heating by means of transferring heat to the living area by ducted hot air, or hot water.
Cooking Appliances – which is an appliance that incorporates at least one cooking hot plate and an oven with a volume of not less than 28 litres.
Appliances intended solely for water heating, or to distribute warm air via ducting to locations remote from the appliance, eg. wood fired furnace.
Appliances that when tested on the High burn rate have a maximum carbon dioxide output of less than 5% by volume, eg. open fire places which don’t have doors.