• Don't buy a woodburner without making sure it complies with the emission rules and that your local council will allow it to be installed.

  • Make sure you get a building consent before you install your woodburner.

  • Insulate your home as much as possible. Better-insulated homes require less heating.

  • If your home isn't open plan, install a heat-distribution system.

  • Buy the cleanest-burning woodburner that suits your needs.

  • Burn only dry seasoned wood - and make sure it's less than 11cm in diameter.


More information

  • Ministry for the Environment's list of authorisied woodburners: www.mfe.govt.nz

More from consumer.org.nz

Report by Bill Whitley.

Join Consumer now and make your decisions easy on a huge range of products and services

  • Over 500 reports, plus interactive tools and calculators
  • Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
  • Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal

from just $25

Join now
Read what our members say