National wood burner performance review
Wood burners are a major source of urban air pollution in winter time in New Zealand. In 2004, the Ministry introduced national environmental standards for air quality. These regulations include design standards to ensure new wood burners installed in urban areas are clean and efficient.
The wood burner design standards will help improve ambient air quality in urban areas of New Zealand. Therefore, in 2005 the Ministry, in partnership with Environment Canterbury and Nelson City Council, undertook a compliance review of wood burners to see how the standard was working in practice.
The intent of the National Wood Burner Performance Review is to provide consumers, retailers and installers with confidence that the wood burners being sold and installed are as clean and efficient as claimed. It further serves to demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to a ‘level playing field’ for New Zealand manufacturers.
The performance review was carried out as follows:
- Phase 1 – design verification testing of 35 wood burners during May to July 2006; and
- Phase 2 - design verification testing as well as emissions and efficiency testing of 10 wood burners during September – December 2006.
All burners included in the review were randomly selected.
The review revealed poor compliance. Whilst disappointing, this is not unexpected given the recent introduction of the national environmental standards for air quality. The Ministry and partner councils have taken action and worked with industry to resolve the identified issues. Full details are provided in the reports below.
Given the problems identified, the Ministry strongly recommends councils, retailers and consumers continue to refer only to the authorised list of wood burners. This is available on the Ministry’s web pages.
If you have any concerns about a wood burner that failed the national performance review, please contact your retailer and/or manufacturer. Alternatively, please refer to our frequently asked questions on wood burners or email woodburners@mfe.govt.nz.
Last updated: 7 May 2008
