Improved environmental rating for wood heating

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Building Sustainability Index (BASIX) has been revised to set a lower greenhouse gas emission rating for residential wood-fire heating. The Firewood Association of Australia (FAA) called for the improved rating following research conducted by CSIRO which found that firewood produced less greenhouse gas than all other domestic heating options.

BASIX is assessed online using the BASIX assessment tool, which checks elements of a proposed house design against sustainability targets and includes a rating for the selected heating system. All new dwellings, and alterations or additions over $50,000, in NSW must have a BASIX certificate before they can gain council approval. Jetmaster Fireplaces Director Joel Belnick explained that previous BASIX requirements recognised wood-burning fires as equal to 4-star flued gas appliances; now, wood-burning fireplaces receive ratings substantially better than 5-star gas heaters and 6-star reverse-cycle air conditioners.

A 2003 life-cycle study conducted by CSIRO for the Australian Greenhouse Office found that the CO₂ emitted from a wood fire is the same as the quantity of CO₂ that is released when the wood rots and breaks down naturally. This is an intrinsic part of the natural cycle of renewal and regeneration, which sees the released CO₂ (and more) absorbed back into young trees and other vegetation. In 2011 the study was updated to include non-CO₂ greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon monoxide, but the inclusion made only a modest difference to the previously calculated results.

Furthermore, with the exception of trees in plantations that have been set up to generate firewood, the wood used to produce firewood in Australia is ‘recovered’ from trees which have died naturally or as a result of other activities. Additionally, the study found that firewood plantations sequester more carbon than the amount that is removed during harvesting and then is released through combustion.

“Coal, oil and gas are geologically sequestered products that are extracted and burnt, thereby adding carbon to our atmosphere,” said Belnick. “These resources are not replenished and have a limited availability. Wood can be continuously grown and, like wind and solar, is considered to be in infinite supply.

“Many commercial forestry and farming operations supply sustainably grown wood, which is available from FAA members. The industry strongly recommends that consumers burn this wood, which is considered 100% sustainable and is also properly seasoned to reduce particle emissions when burnt.” Belnick added that correctly installed, well-maintained and properly operated wood fireplaces create insignificant amounts of particle emissions when compared to all other sources of particle pollution in the environment.

In order to fully comply with BASIX, all domestic solid-fuel heaters such as wood heaters need to be installed in accordance with the Local Government Act, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, the Building Code of Australia and Australian Standard AS/NZS 2918.