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Smoke from Woodfire Heaters

Residents who use a wood heater to warm their home in winter should follow this advice to protect the health and safety of their family. Wood heaters can also bother your neighbours by emitting smelly smoke and reducing air quality.

Lodge a complaint for smoke from woodfire heaters

You can report an issue of wood heater smoke to investigate. To assist your complaint, we recommend that you record information about the wood heater over a 2-week period.

Lodge a request online

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Residential wood heating guidelines

Use of wood heaters and fireplaces continues to be a valued source of heating for many people. For some Victorian households, it is the only feasible form of heating.

When wood is burned correctly it does not normally pose any issues for neighbours, however some users are unsure of the correct types of wood to use and the best way to burn it.

The pictures below show 3 examples of wood heater smoke. It is normal to see a large amount of smoke for approximately 20 minutes after starting a fire. After this time the smoke should reduce and look like that in the third picture.

woodfire heaters
Woodfire heaters fact sheet (PDF)

Lodge a complaint with Council

We investigate woodfire heaters that may be a public health nuisance and provide advice to woodfire heater owners to address issues.

Before you lodge a complaint

The best approach for dealing with neighbours who have wood heaters is to talk to them and work together on a solution to settle the problem.

You may feel anxious about approaching your neighbour but remember that they are sometimes not aware that they are disturbing you. Talking about the affect it is having on you early on can help make neighbours aware of the problem and be more considerate in future.

Complete woodfire heater incidents log (2 Weeks)
Prepare sufficient evidence
Lodge a request online
Next steps

Tips for woodfire heater users

Watch how to use your wood fired heater the right way YouTube video by EPA Victoria.

  • Use a registered plumber to install your wood heater.
  • If buying firewood to use immediately, buy dry seasoned, untreated timber. Unseasoned wood can have up to 50% moisture content, so it is hard to ignite, slow to burn and produces smoke and less heat.
  • Conduct regular maintenance checks and have your chimney professionally cleaned at least once a year, especially before the start of winter.
  • Do not burn garden clippings, household rubbish, painted or treated timber or particle board.
  • Occasionally check the amount of smoke coming from your chimney. There should not be continuous visible smoke after 20 minutes of operation.
  • If the smoke is continuous and visible, book a maintenance check or replace your wood heater.
  • Get more tips to reduce smoke from your wood heater.

More information

For more information on how to reduce smoke and improve air quality visit EPA VICTORIA