Publications

Woodheater emissions management program for the Tamar Valley - scoping study

Environment Australia May 2001

Note: The information and analysis contained in this report does not necessarily reflect the views of Environment Australia.

For further information, please contact:
Peter Dempster
Atech Group Pty Ltd
28 Philip Street, Strathfield NSW 2135
Tel (02) 9744 7644, Fax (02) 9744 7645
peterdempster@atechgroup.com.au

About this report

This report was commissioned by the Air Quality Section of Environment Australia under the Air Pollution in Major Cities Programme of the Natural Heritage Trust. The study team comprised Peter Dempster, Peter Cochran and Matthew Edgerton from Atech Group Pty. Ltd. The study team wishes to thank the many individuals and organisations that provided information to the study, including from Commonwealth, State and Local government agencies, suppliers of heating equipment and fuel, industry associations, research agencies and community organisations.

For additional information about this report, please contact either of the following:

Paul Kesby
Director, Air Quality Section
GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone (02) 6274 1890, Fax (02) 6274 1172
Email pkesby@ea.gov.au

Peter Dempster
Atech Group Pty Ltd
28 Philip Street, Strathfield NSW 2135
Phone (02) 9744 7644, Fax (02) 9744 7645
Email peterdempster@atechgroup.com.au

Contents

• Abbreviations
• Executive summary
• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 Background
• 1.2 Objectives of the study
• 1.3 Structure of the report
• 2. Objectives for a woodheater management program
• 2.1 Health impacts of PM₁₀
• 2.1.1 Epidemiological studies
• 2.1.2 Laboratory studies
• 2.1.3 Estimates of health costs
• 2.1.4 Summary
• 2.2 Air quality in Launceston
• 2.2.1 Air quality, 1997-2000
• 2.2.2 Reduction in PM₁₀ since 1992-93
• 2.2.3 Summary
• 2.3 Required reduction in woodheater emissions
• 2.3.1 Required percentage reduction in total emissions of PM₁₀
• 2.3.2 Percentage of total emissions that are due to woodheaters
• 2.3.3 Expected percentage change in non-woodheater emissions of PM₁₀
• 2.3.4 Findings
• 2.4 Conclusions
• 3. Review of factors affecting woodheater emissions
• 3.1 Will population growth add to the problem?
• 3.2 Is there a general trend against woodheaters?
• 3.3 What will post-93 certified heaters contribute to emissions reduction?
• 3.4 Tasmanian Natural Gas Project
• 3.5 Better insulation to reduce firewood consumption
• 3.6 Reduce the moisture content of firewood
• 3.7 Improve the operation of heaters
• 3.8 Improve woodheaters
• 3.9 Replacement of woodheaters
• 3.9.1 Cost of woodheating
• 3.9.2 Woodheaters compared to electric and gas heating
• 3.10 Summary
• 4. Emission scenarios: 2001-2007
• 4.1 Separate effects
• 4.2 Combined effects (scenarios)
• 4.3 Required contribution from specific measures to replace woodheaters
• 4.4 Sensitivity analysis
• 5. Policy analysis
• 5.1 Tasmania's Environment Protection Policy on Air Quality
• 5.1.1 Measures to reduce the moisture content of firewood
• 5.1.2 Measures to improve the emissions performance of new woodheaters
• 5.1.3 Ban on the sale and reinstallation of pre-93 woodheaters
• 5.2 Smoke patrol
• 5.3 Incentive scheme for woodheater conversion and/or replacement
• 5.3.1 Incentive instrument
• 5.3.2 Subsidy equivalent loans
• 5.3.3 Involvement of a local financial institution
• 5.3.4 Revolving fund
• 5.3.5 Equipment discounts and energy rebates
• 5.3.6 General offer or targeted offer?
• 5.3.7 Incentives paid to energy retailers rather than households
• 5.3.8 Amount of the offer
• 5.3.9 Duration of the scheme
• 5.3.10 Disposal of old woodheaters, and related inspections
• 5.3.11 Inclusion of low emission woodheaters
• 5.3.12 Woodheater replacement in rental housing
• 5.3.13 Need for a pilot scheme
• 5.3.14 Conclusion
• 5.4 Ceiling insulation retrofit program
• 5.5 Summary
• Appendix A - Number and type of woodheaters
• Appendix B - Determinants of emissions performance
• References

The full report document is available as a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view it.

Download Woodheater Emissions Management Program for the Tamar Valley - Scoping Study (tamarstudy.pdf - 415KB)

If you are unable to access this document, please contact the Air Quality Section to organise a suitable alternative format.

Abbreviations

ABS - Australian Bureau of Statistics
ACRE - Australian CRC for Renewable Energy Ltd
AGO - Australian Greenhouse Office
BAU - business as usual
BTCE - Bureau of Transport and Communications Economics
COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
DPIWE - Department of Primary Industries, Water and the Environment
EGW - electricity/gas/wood
EMRS - Enterprise Marketing & Research Services Pty Ltd
EPP - Environment Protection Policy
HE - high efficiency
LCC - Launceston City Council
LRI - lower respiratory illness
ME - medium efficiency
NatHERS - Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme
NEPC - National Environment Protection Council
NEPM - National Environment Protection Measure
NPI - National Pollutant Inventory
NSW EPA - NSW Environment Protection Authority
PM - Particulate matter
PM₁₀ - Particulate Matter less than 10 microns in diameter
TSP - Total Suspended Particles
URI - upper respiratory illness