Woodsmoke

When the cold weather hits, wood heaters are often used to heat our homes. However, if not installed or operated correctly, they can produce excessive smoke which is a major contributor to air pollution.

WHAT IS WOODSMOKE?

Wood smoke is often seen as a brown atmospheric haze in the atmosphere on still, cool, winter mornings. During winter, wood heaters can produce up to seven times as much particle pollution as cars. Wood smoke contains a number of noxious gases (including carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, and a range of organic compounds), some of which are toxic or carcinogenic and fine particles, which may go deep into the lungs.

WOOD SMOKE REBATE

Did you know that woodsmoke from your fireplace is one of the major causes of air pollution in winter, triggering complications among asthmatics, emphysema and chronic bronchitis sufferers?? Minimising the emission of visible smoke from woodheaters and fireplaces can have substantial health benefits for our community.

That’s why Singleton Council is offering a rebate on flue cleans this winter!

It is really important to clean your chimney / flue regularly as clean flies allow wood heaters and fireplaces to burn more efficiently, therefore producing more heat with less smoke. 

50 x $75 rebates are on offer for residents of the Singleton LGA. For more information, read the terms and conditions listed below. 

To apply for a rebate, click here to access the form via Council’s Online Services. Customers will need to register an account, once registered they can access the form by selecting Forms Centre > Rebate Forms > Chimney Flue Rebate Form.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • The Promoter of this offer is Singleton Council (Council).
  • An applicant may be an individual, business or organisation residing in the Singleton Local Government Area.
  • People in rental properties can apply for a rebate provided that the tenant and property’s owner agree and both sign the application form.
  • Each claim form must be submitted in accordance with these terms and conditions. Applicants and their claim forms must also comply with all applicable laws and all relevant instructions from the Council.
  • Wood heating systems eligible under Council’s chimney flue cleaning rebate program include; open fireplace and its chimney/flue, conventional wood heater (including pot belly stoves and older style slow combustion heaters) and its chimney/flue and cowl (if present), and controlled combustion heater and its chimney/flue and cowl (if present).
  • More than one rebate may be applied for per dwelling.
  • 50 rebates are available to the Singleton Local Government area residents.
  • The chimney flue must have been cleaned after April 1 2020.
  • To be eligible for a chimney flue claim, the property must be located within the Singleton Local Government Area.
  • Priority will be given to households taking part in this program with specific reference to Singleton Council’s Hardship Policy.
  • If you have already engaged a professional cleaner prior to the commencement of Council’s flue cleaning cash rebate offer you are not eligible for this rebate.
  • To apply for a rebate you must fill in a claim form available from the Council or Council’s website and submit it to Council.
  • The applicant must supply Council with an original receipt for work completed.
  • The receipt or claim form must include the date that the work was completed and the address of the property where the work was carried out. The receipt or claim form must also state the name and ABN of the Company that completed the work and be signed by the flue cleaner who must be a tradesperson experienced in this type of work.
  • Singleton Council employees (or members of employees’ immediate families) are eligible to claim a rebate.
  • Rebates ($75) will be issued as an electronic funds transfer to nominated bank accounts.
  • Failure to abide by these terms and conditions will result in disqualification from the rebate offer.
  • Submitting a claim form does not mean that you automatically qualify to receive a cash rebate. Singleton Council is not liable for any loss resulting from action you take based on assumptions about your eligibility.
  • There is no warranty given or implied by Singleton Council on any aspect of the chimney flue cleaning funded through the Chimney Flue Cleaning Rebate Program. Council does not accept any responsibility for any damage or injury arising from the cleaning of wood heating system and its chimney/flue.
  • Council reserves the right to alter these Terms and Conditions at any times

REDUCE YOUR WOODSMOKE POLLUTION

While many families use a wood heater to stay warm during the winter months, there are a number of simple actions that your family can do to operate your wood heater effectively and reduce wood smoke in the Singleton area. To minimise pollutants the Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) advise to not dampen down your fire overnight. With the air intake closed, the fire is starved of oxygen and cannot burn properly.

To further reduce your wood smoke pollution:

  • Use only small logs of seasoned, untreated wood
  • Store wood under cover in a dry, ventilated area
  • Use several small logs rather than one large log
  • Increase the air supply if you see your chimney smoking
  • Maintain a bright flame, never let your heater smoulder
  • Never burn rubbish, driftwood, treated or painted wood, which can pollute the air and can be poisonous.
  • Check your chimney regularly.

You can find out more about wood smoke at NSW EPA.