Thinking About a Wood Heater? Here's What to Know

There's nothing quite like a wood fire on a cold Bendigo night, and plenty of local homes still heat mainly with one. Before you pick a model, there are a few practical things worth understanding – mostly around sizing, the flue and the rules.

The rules you need to meet

New wood heaters sold in Victoria must meet the Australian emissions and efficiency standards, and installation has to follow AS/NZS 2918 for clearances and flue height. Your council may also have local requirements. A compliant installation isn't optional – it affects your insurance, and an undersized or badly positioned flue is the most common cause of a smoky, poorly drawing fire.

Getting the size right

Bigger is not better with wood heaters. An oversized firebox in a small living area means you'll run it choked down, which smokes, glazes the glass and coats the flue in creosote. As a rough guide, a small heater suits open areas up to around 100 square metres, a medium one 100 to 200 square metres, and a large one beyond that. Ceiling height, insulation and how open the floor plan is all shift those numbers, so it's worth having someone measure the space.

Freestanding or inbuilt?

Freestanding heaters radiate heat from all sides and generally warm a room faster. Inbuilt units sit into an existing fireplace or a new cavity for a tidier look, and many can be fan-forced to push heat further. If you have an old open fireplace, an inbuilt is often the neatest way to make it genuinely useful – open fires lose most of their heat up the chimney.

Brands we install

We fit Regency, Kemlan and Jet Master, among others. Regency has a strong reputation for long burn times and clean glass, Kemlan does well in larger open areas, and Jet Master suits people who want the look of an open fire with far better efficiency. We'll happily talk through the differences with your room in front of us.

The flue and the install

Flue work is where most of the cost and most of the safety sits. You need the right clearances from the ceiling, walls and roof, correct penetration flashing so it doesn't leak, and enough height above the roofline to draw properly. Older Bendigo homes with steep roofs or nearby trees sometimes need an extended flue. Plan for annual flue sweeping too – it keeps the fire drawing well and reduces the risk of a chimney fire.

Firewood matters

Even a great heater performs badly on damp wood. Seasoned hardwood, split and stored under cover for at least six to twelve months, burns hotter, cleaner and leaves less residue in the flue.

Need a hand?

We're a local Bendigo team and we're happy to take a look. Give us a call on (03) 5444 4677 for honest advice and a free quote.