frequently Asked Questions

Clear, accurate answers about performance standards, installation, operation and compliance.

What are the national environmental standards for air quality?

The national environmental standards for air quality are 14 standards set for the protection of human health. These standards include: five outdoor air quality standards (limits for air pollution), seven standards that ban activities which discharge toxic substances to the air, a design standard for new wood burners in urban areas, and a standard requiring landfills to collect and destroy their greenhouse gas emissions.

All new wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have a particle emission of less than 1.5 grams per kilogram of dry wood burnt.
They must also have a thermal efficiency of greater than 65%.

The requirements exclude open fires, multi-fuel heaters, pellet heaters, and cooking stoves.

Note: Some council’s may have more stringent rules.

Where does the wood burner standard apply?

The national environmental standards for air quality are 14 standards set for the protection of human health. These standards include: five outdoor air quality standards (limits for air pollution), seven standards that ban activities which discharge toxic substances to the air, a design standard for new wood burners in urban areas, and a standard requiring landfills to collect and destroy their greenhouse gas emissions.

All new wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have a particle emission of less than 1.5 grams per kilogram of dry wood burnt.
They must also have a thermal efficiency of greater than 65%.

The requirements exclude open fires, multi-fuel heaters, pellet heaters, and cooking stoves.

Note: Some council’s may have more stringent rules.

What is the authorised list of wood burners?

The national environmental standards for air quality are 14 standards set for the protection of human health. These standards include: five outdoor air quality standards (limits for air pollution), seven standards that ban activities which discharge toxic substances to the air, a design standard for new wood burners in urban areas, and a standard requiring landfills to collect and destroy their greenhouse gas emissions.

All new wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have a particle emission of less than 1.5 grams per kilogram of dry wood burnt.
They must also have a thermal efficiency of greater than 65%.

The requirements exclude open fires, multi-fuel heaters, pellet heaters, and cooking stoves.

Note: Some council’s may have more stringent rules.

Why do certain regional councils have more stringent rules than the national standard?

The national environmental standards for air quality are 14 standards set for the protection of human health. These standards include: five outdoor air quality standards (limits for air pollution), seven standards that ban activities which discharge toxic substances to the air, a design standard for new wood burners in urban areas, and a standard requiring landfills to collect and destroy their greenhouse gas emissions.

All new wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have a particle emission of less than 1.5 grams per kilogram of dry wood burnt.
They must also have a thermal efficiency of greater than 65%.

The requirements exclude open fires, multi-fuel heaters, pellet heaters, and cooking stoves.

Note: Some council’s may have more stringent rules.

Why are the shops still selling burners that do not meet the standard?

The national environmental standards for air quality are 14 standards set for the protection of human health. These standards include: five outdoor air quality standards (limits for air pollution), seven standards that ban activities which discharge toxic substances to the air, a design standard for new wood burners in urban areas, and a standard requiring landfills to collect and destroy their greenhouse gas emissions.

All new wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have a particle emission of less than 1.5 grams per kilogram of dry wood burnt.
They must also have a thermal efficiency of greater than 65%.

The requirements exclude open fires, multi-fuel heaters, pellet heaters, and cooking stoves.

Note: Some council’s may have more stringent rules.

Are wetbacks still allowed?

The national environmental standards for air quality are 14 standards set for the protection of human health. These standards include: five outdoor air quality standards (limits for air pollution), seven standards that ban activities which discharge toxic substances to the air, a design standard for new wood burners in urban areas, and a standard requiring landfills to collect and destroy their greenhouse gas emissions.

All new wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have a particle emission of less than 1.5 grams per kilogram of dry wood burnt.
They must also have a thermal efficiency of greater than 65%.

The requirements exclude open fires, multi-fuel heaters, pellet heaters, and cooking stoves.

Note: Some council’s may have more stringent rules.

Where do I get a building consent?

The national environmental standards for air quality are 14 standards set for the protection of human health. These standards include: five outdoor air quality standards (limits for air pollution), seven standards that ban activities which discharge toxic substances to the air, a design standard for new wood burners in urban areas, and a standard requiring landfills to collect and destroy their greenhouse gas emissions.

All new wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 must have a particle emission of less than 1.5 grams per kilogram of dry wood burnt.
They must also have a thermal efficiency of greater than 65%.

The requirements exclude open fires, multi-fuel heaters, pellet heaters, and cooking stoves.

Note: Some council’s may have more stringent rules.

Can I install a second-hand burner?

You can still install a second hand wood burner as long as it meets the standards or if you live on a property of 2Ha or greater. It should be noted that older second-hand burners are less likely to meet the standards.

Can I install a multi-fuel or coal burner?

You can still install a second hand wood burner as long as it meets the standards or if you live on a property of 2Ha or greater. It should be noted that older second-hand burners are less likely to meet the standards.

Can I install an open fire?

You can still install a second hand wood burner as long as it meets the standards or if you live on a property of 2Ha or greater. It should be noted that older second-hand burners are less likely to meet the standards.

If I move my existing wood burner from one room to another (within the same house), does it need to comply with the design standard?

You can still install a second hand wood burner as long as it meets the standards or if you live on a property of 2Ha or greater. It should be noted that older second-hand burners are less likely to meet the standards.

Can I install a wood-burning cooking stove?

You can still install a second hand wood burner as long as it meets the standards or if you live on a property of 2Ha or greater. It should be noted that older second-hand burners are less likely to meet the standards.

What is treated timber?

Treated timber is treated with a preservative called Chromate Copper Arsenate (CCA) or other chemicals. Timber is generally treated with a preservative to resist decay and insect attack to make it more suitable for use as building material. It should not be burned in wood burners or open fires.

Can I burn treated timber in my wood burner?

You can still install a second hand wood burner as long as it meets the standards or if you live on a property of 2Ha or greater. It should be noted that older second-hand burners are less likely to meet the standards.

not sure where to start?

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