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EPA Victoria’s essential winter tips

Jul 17, 2025

Tips for everyone who has a wood burning heater. Photo by Megan Fisher

Victoria’s environmental watchdog has some handy tips for everyone who has a wood burning heater keeping their toes warm this winter.

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Environment Protection Authority Victoria says the condition of the heater, the flue and the fuel you’re using all contribute to seeing more, or less, smoke from your chimney.

Wood heater owners have an obligation, under the Environment Protection Act’s General Environment Duty, to minimise the smoke from their wood heater.

EPA urges anyone burning wood to consider their neighbours’ health and seek alternative heat sources, especially on calm days with not much wind.

The people most sensitive to smoke from wood heaters are those with heart or lung conditions such as asthma, pregnant women, young children, those aged 65 years and over, people with diabetes and smokers.

Another important tip is to avoid burning the wrong things, including coal, coke, driftwood, household rubbish, painted wood, chemically treated timber or the green-coloured pine logs used at parks and playgrounds.

For more information, visit epa.vic.gov.au/manage-smoke-wood-heaters