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Executive Summary

The Ministry for the Environment, partnered by Environment Canterbury and Nelson City Council, conducted a performance review of wood burners under the national environmental standards for air quality. This report details the results of Phase 1 of the review, which involved design verification of 35 wood burners during May to July 2006. Design verification testing is a physical inspection of a burner for comparison with its original design, as described in the emissions and efficiency test report.

The review revealed poor overall compliance, with 37% of burners inspected passing, 9% being undetermined and the remaining 54% failing. In all cases of failure, manufacturers undertook to resolve issues with both future and existing stock for sale. At the time of writing a number of issues have yet to be resolved.

The review was governed by a protocol developed with input from industry. This protocol specifies that serious failures be reported to the Commerce Commission. The Ministry intends to notify the Commerce Commission at completion of Phase 2 of the review.

In addition to the identified failures, a number of serious - and unanticipated - issues arose in relation to how burners are named. In response to this the Ministry, Environment Canterbury and Nelson City Council have improved their authorisation and listing processes to avoid such issues in the future.

Phase 1 of the performance review addressed the compliance of 35 burners. Almost certainly there will be other models not examined that will have faults similar to those identified in this review. Some of these will be examined in Phase 2 of the review, in which 10 wood burners were purchased for design verification and then full emissions and efficiency testing. A report on Phase 2 is expected in late 2007.

Key points for regulators

  • Compliance was found to be poor, and future reviews are strongly recommended.

  • Manufacturer responses to the review varied dramatically.

  • Councils issuing building consents for wood burners are advised to consult the Ministry for the Environment web list of authorised burners. This list has been updated following the review and is the only national, independently verified, list available.

  • A number of unanticipated issues that arose during this review could be avoided by tightening the wood burner authorisation processes. This would be further assisted by preparing guidance for applicants so they are clear about what is required, and by the formalisation or adoption of a nationally consistent authorisation process.

Key points for consumers

  • The first review of performance of wood burners revealed poor compliance with respect to the national environmental standards for air quality. The Ministry and partner councils are working with industry to resolve the identified issues.

  • People intending to purchase a wood burner are advised to consult the Ministry for the Environment web list of authorised burners. This list has been updated following the review and is the only national, independently verified, list available.

  • The following burners passed first time in this review:
    BBQ Factory
    Kent Astron CA
    Dallas Metals Industries
    Kent Kiwi Radiant Clean Air / Milan Caldo Rustic Harmony Clean Air
    Kent Logfire Max / Milan Harmony I/B
    Milan Caldo C/A Harmony Series
    Hewitsons Enviro-Heat Ltd
    Contessa EF with Water Heating

    Lady Kitchener EF
    WH Harris
    Nestor Martin R33
    Woodsman Matai DVI – 165 Standard
    Woodsman Miami – 165
    Woodsman Pelorus – 165.

  • The manufacturer Tropicair is commended in this report for their proactive, thorough and timely response to the performance review.

Key points for industry

  • This review has revealed poor performance with respect to the national environmental standards for air quality.

  • Government (both central and local) is committed to the national environmental standards and is likely to undertake more reviews in the future.

  • These reviews reward not only compliance but also proactive, responsible behaviour in response to identified compliance issues.

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