Factors involved in heating costs

Calculating the costs of heating is complicated by the many factors involved such as:

• the degree of home insulation

• how the heating is used

• the amount of time the heating is run

• the local climate

• local energy tariffs

This means that comparisons can be difficult. The Australian government has a number of websites that include discussions about the pros and cons of heating types  - including:

https://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/heating-and-cooling

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Burning wood can significantly contribute to localised air pollution. The greatest impacts can be seen in areas where there is a concentration of homes with wood heaters, combined with certain geographical and climate features. Emerging evidence is showing that the health impacts are more extreme than first thought. Brief exposure to smoke from wood-burning heaters can aggravate asthma or worsen pre-existing heart conditions. Long-term exposure can cause heart and lung disease.

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Heating costs comparisons

According to Sustainability Victoria reverse cycle air conditioners/heat pumps are the most cost effective way to heat your home. They calculate that the cost of heating a medium-sized home with a heat pump is $915 annually, this compares with $1215 for heating with a wood heater. Choice Australia has also conducted review of heating costs and they find that a heat pump for a small house costs $163 to run over 3 months of winter.

 

But wood burning is the only option for people on low incomes... is this true?

One of the arguments against phasing out wood burning in residential areas is the claim that burning wood is the only cheap and affordable option for people on low incomes. And in these times of increasing energy prices we all want affordable ways to heat our homes. So how true is this claim? Are wood heaters really the most cost effective way to heat a home?

 

The problem of cheap or free wood fuel

Of course this is not the end of the home heating story. With wood heaters, unlike other forms of heating there are ways to reduce the fuel cost and this is where a big part of the problem lies. For example, people on large rural properties might harvest their own trees or collect fallen branches, many people take advantage of permits or approvals to collect dead wood from forests.  Many households reduce the cost of running a wood heater by sourcing second rate wood. For example - wood left over on building sites, old fencing left on the side of the road or wood dropped off by the trailer load by workers making extra cash on the side. However, these attempts to save money presents significant problems for our health and environment.

Collecting dead wood from our forests impacts biodiversity. Second rate wood risks further harming the health of local residents with arsenic, 

So while households with wood heaters might be saving money on their energy bills - a high price is being paid by the environment and the community.  Perhaps not one as easily calculable as a comparison table of heating options.

We need affordable heating and a healthy environment and we can have both. It will involve effort and investment on the part of government.

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