Keeping warm in an earthquake-damaged home this winter

People living in an earthquake-damaged home who are waiting for it to be repaired, or are waiting to rebuild their home, should keep themselves warm by the most effective means available to them this winter.

Environment Canterbury Programme Manager Don Chittock says “If you are living in an earthquake-damaged home this winter, keep yourself warm even if it means using an older log burner or open fire.

“This winter we will continue the pragmatic approach we took last winter, where people in earthquake-affected homes were able to continue to use older burners or open fires.

“However, we will respond to calls on our Pollution Hotline from people concerned about smoky chimneys in their neighbourhood,’’ says Mr Chittock. “Sometimes people are not aware they have a smoky chimney and we can offer some advice on how to use a burner well, including the type and quality of fuel used.’’

Mr Chittock says people who are repairing their homes can retain a log burner for use during winter.

“We want to make it clear that if your home had an existing burner, during the house repair you can install an approved low-emission burner.’’

The Christchurch Air Plan will apply to people whose homes have not been compromised, says Kim Drummond, Director of Resource Management.

“The government has set National Environmental Standards for Air Quality which reflect World Health Organisation standards that are based on the impact that particulate matter in the air has on the community. We need to reach the target of only three exceedances by 2016 and one exceedance by 2020 to avoid stricter controls on emissions into the air.”

There is no doubt that Christchurch air quality has been improving as people have replaced open fires or older woodburners with non-emitting appliances such as heat pumps, says Mr Drummond. Much work has been done to date and nearly $46 million has been spent on the Clean Heat programme.

“We know home heating causes about 80% of the harmful particulate in Christchurch’s winter air, so limiting the number of emitting burners is one of the key means to reach the national standard,’’ he says.

The Air Plan prohibits homeowners with solid fuel appliances that are 15 years or older from being able to use them between 1 April and the end of September each year. Homeowners are able to replace older burners with a new approved lower-emission appliance.