December 2005

Contents For This Month: December 2005

New woodfire regulations
Last newsletter got a bit political – I received huge feedback from readers.
Our website and back copies of the newsletter
Price increases in building

Hi!

Woodfires – are the powers-that-be going to try and take away our right to use fire for heating and cooking? After all, it’s what we have done since the Stone Age.

It’s not hard to understand the reasons why government (that’s local and central) are having a long hard look at solid fuel heating – i.e. wood and coal. What happens in Masterton on cold and still winter nights is played out in many other towns and cities across the country. As the temperatures drop wood or coal fires are set into life, and the valleys start to fill with smoke -commonly known as pollution.

They say that on these nights pollution levels far exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. They say that the population living in these smoggy areas is suffering from pollution-related illnesses. It’s all probably true in a purest world, but there is something I can’t explain that stirs within whenever I smell the smoke from a camp fire or watch flames dancing along a burning log - even inside the woodburner. We stare, almost mesmerized and entranced, at the glow of the flame against the black backdrop as our mind takes us back in time to when man first learnt to harness fire, and our basic evolutionary existence began to depend on it.

So we ask ourselves, are they trying to deny us a way of heating ourselves the way we always have? The answer is no they are not, but the rules are changing. Before you read the official stuff on woodfires and smoke, there is a simple answer to most of the problem - burn your firewood dry. That’s right, think a bit in advance and start to dry your firewood a year before you need it and make sure it is stacked and under shelter in January for the coming winter. Dry firewood gives off very little smoke and it burns hotter, therefore you use less.

The official part
In short: An open fire is still acceptable, certainly in the Wairarapa and most other regions in New Zealand, as these do not fall under the definition “woodburner”. Neither do wood-burning stoves. Thus, a wood-burning range designed for cooking on – such as an Aga or Rayburn type stove (with or without a wet-back) is not covered by the new standard and is totally acceptable. Jetmasters and other open fires are also allowed. The woodburner regulation does not apply (in the same way) to properties larger than two hectares. The standard does not apply to existing fires – except when installing a second-hand woodburner in a new location.

The following is from Steve Devine, The Fireplace (retailer): http://www.thefireplace.co.nz/

“The Ministry For The Environment (MFE) sets National Environmental Standards (NES) for all of New Zealand BUT councils can set their own standards by region that are more restrictive if they wish. If a council has not set any standards then the minimum standard is the National Environmental Standards (NES) from the MFE.

There has been some confusion recently regarding the sale of open fires. Please find the following extract direct from the MFE Website. Our open fires are exempt from the new national standards. The National Environmental standards relate to woodfires only….not open fires. As it stands, open fires can be sold anywhere other than the Canterbury region. Environment Canterbury banned open fires some years ago and their region extends north to Nelson.”

“ The Auckland Regional Council is trying to implement the same standard but we are fighting them through the environment court. For now there are no laws preventing us from selling open fires in the Northland, Waikato, BOP, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Wairarapa and Otago regions. We can continue selling them beyond September 1 this year. The Auckland region will probably see open fires banned from that date so Auckland staff will continue to encourage clients to buy open fires before that date.”

For more info: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/rma/standards-draft-nov04/standards-draft-nov04-4.pdf

4.2 What is the woodburner design standard?
Subclauses 23 and 24 of the regulation require the following:

23 Design standard
(1) The design standard for a woodburner is a discharge of less than 1.5 gram of particles for each kilogramme of dry wood burnt.
(2) The discharge must be measured in accordance with the method specified in the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 4013:1999, Domestic solid fuel burning appliances – Method for determination of flue gas emissions.

24 Thermal efficiency standard
(1) The thermal efficiency standard for a woodburner –
(a) is the ratio of useable heat energy output to energy input (thermal efficiency); and (b) must be no less than 65%.
(2) The thermal efficiency must be calculated in accordance with the method specified in Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 4012:1999, Domestic solid fuel burning appliances – Method for determination of power output and efficiency. The standard specifies a maximum particle emission limit of 1.5 g/kg of wood burnt as measured in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standard Method 4013. This method specifies a test procedure for determining the rate of particulate emission from batch feed solid fuel burning appliances.

The standard further specifies a minimum thermal efficiency of 65 percent as measured in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standard Method 4012. This method specifies a test procedure for the determination of the average efficiency and average thermal power output from batch feed domestic solid fuel burning appliances.

4.2.1 What does it apply to?
Under the regulation a woodburner is defined as:
(a) a domestic heating appliance that burns wood; but
(b) does not include –
i. an open fire; or
ii. a multifuel heater, a pellet heater, or a coal burning heater; or
iii. a stove that is –
(A) designed and used for cooking; and
(B) heated by burning wood.

Our advice:
The reality is that we can still heat ourselves and cook with woodburners in most cases. Manufacturers and retailers will only be able to make and sell those units that comply. My suggestion is that if you want a woodfire in your new home or to replace an existing one ask the closest retailer what options are available that meet the regulations.

The last newsletter
Just a bit of feedback on my last newsletter. I have been writing articles and these newsletters and sending to people just like you for about 10 years now. Nearly 2000 voluntarily subscribe to them. I write them as a way of staying in touch with you and I like to make comments about what’s new and interesting and what’s affecting our industry. And last month I let my frustration get the better of me, and for the first time the article took on a political tone. I was simply amazed by the number of people that took the time to comment how much they appreciated and agreed with what I said – literally hundreds. If you missed it, I just gave my views on the cause of the leaking house problem, poor trade training systems, the lack of skilled tradesmen and the impact it will have in the future – because it’s bad enough now.

The website
Don’t forget there are years of back copies of our newsletters posted on our website http://moss-brothers.co.nz I’m sure you’ll find something of interest to read.

Price increase
The increase cost of fuel coupled with the continuing high demands for construction has forced all in the building industry to review their prices. Moss Brothers, however, have taken the unusual step in raising our prices even higher than the rate of inflation. Is this move being greedy or stupid, I hear you ask? The answer is, it’s neither. We estimate that we will probably lose about 10% of those price-sensitive inquirers but the rest will acknowledge that in life we get what we pay for.

It’s an accepted fact that Moss Brothers already has a reputation for designing and constructing buildings to very high standards and with attention to detail. To continue with this expectation, employing the correct materials and the personnel with abilities has always been our main focus. Another interesting fact is that many of our clients are saying that they don’t mind paying that bit extra, but don’t muck us about because we are demanding too. Putting the price up a little higher allows us to provide service to our client’s expectations.

Have a great X’mas & New Year.
Regards
Julian Moss