Upgrade Your Fireplace This Summer: Why Renovation Season Is the Perfect Time to Install or Modernise Your Wood Burner

Wood burners remain one of New Zealand’s most popular and reliable home heating options, and for good reason.

Summer in New Zealand isn’t usually when we think about fireplaces, but it should be.If you’re renovating, refreshing your home, or planning upgrades, now is the perfect time to install a new wood-burning fireplace or replace an old one.

The Firewood Company investigates why summer is the ideal window, plus the top benefits of modern wood burners and why they remain a favourite heating source across Aotearoa.

Why Summer Is the Best Time to Upgrade Your Fireplace

1. You avoid winter installation delays

Winter is the busiest time for installers, Warrant of Fitness checks, and council approvals.In summer? Availability is better, timelines are quicker, and you’re not competing with last-minute winter rushes.

Renew now → stress-free warmth later.

2. Renovation timing is perfect

If you're already:

• redoing your lounge

• upgrading flooring

• repainting

• renovating the hearth area

• replacing joinery

• modernising your home’s look

…then upgrading your fireplace fits naturally into the process. Summer renos mean everything is dry, accessible, and easy for installers.

3. You get time to season your firewood

Installing a new wood burner in summer gives you months to:

✔ Stock up early

✔ Season your wood properly

✔ Save significantly by avoiding winter pricing

Good wood = efficient burning = cheaper heating all winter.

4. Better airflow + dry conditions = smoother installs

Summer conditions make it easier for:

• exterior chimney/roof work

• concrete curing

• framing changes

• flue installations

• painting/sealing surrounds

Dry weather = fewer delays, less mess, and quicker completion.

🔥 Why Choose a Modern Wood-Burning Fireplace?

Wood burners remain one of New Zealand’s most popular and reliable home heating options, and for good reason.

1. Modern wood burners are incredibly efficient

Today’s wood fireplaces are nothing like the smoky, heat-leaking boxes from decades ago.

New models:

✔ Burn hotter

✔ Use less wood

✔ Release fewer emissions

✔ Maintain heat longer

✔ Are NZ Clean Air approved

A modern wood burner can heat a home faster and more evenly than many electric methods.

Clean-air wood burners are modern, low-emission fireplaces designed to meet New Zealand’s strict environmental standards (including the NES regulations). They burn wood far more efficiently than older models, producing dramatically less smoke and particulate matter, often under 1.5 g/kg, making them suitable for towns and urban areas where air quality matters.

Thanks to advanced combustion technology, these burners deliver high heat output using less wood, with many achieving efficiencies of 65% or higher. Ultra-Low Emission Burners (ULEBs) are the cleanest option available, offering powerful warmth with minimal environmental and respiratory health impact.

2. Wood is cost-effective — especially in Marlborough

With rising electricity prices, more Kiwis are returning to wood as their primary heat source. Why?

• Firewood can be purchased in bulk during summer

• You’re not locked into price fluctuations like electricity or gas

• You control your supply

• Marlborough’s climate supports excellent seasoning conditions

Wood remains one of the most affordable long-term heating options in New Zealand.

3. Wood burners work during power outages

A major advantage for rural and coastal NZ homes.When storms hit and the power drops? Your home stays warm, and you can even boil water or cook on some models.

No electric heater gives you that kind of independence.

4. They create a true home atmosphere

There’s nothing quite like:

• crackling logs

• the glow of real flame

• toasty warmth that radiates through the room

Yes, heat pumps are convenient. But a wood fire is a mood, a centrepiece, and a deeply comforting Kiwi classic.

5. Environmentally friendly when using NZ-grown wood

Local firewood from sustainably managed sources has a low carbon footprint.Modern burners reduce emissions significantly. Using properly seasoned wood makes a huge difference in efficiency and air quality.

🔍 Interesting Facts About Modern Wood-Burning Fireplaces

🔥 Modern wood burners can achieve efficiency ratings of 65–80%+, compared to old models that sat around 30–40%.

🔥 Clean Air Approved fires in NZ must meet strict emission standards — meaning more heat, less smoke.

🔥 West Coast & Marlborough macrocarpa and pine are excellent choices for burning longer and hotter.

🔥 Some modern wood burners can heat entire homes with wetback systems, reducing water heating bills.

🔥 A well-installed wood burner can increase your home’s value — Kiwis love a good fire.

Planning to Upgrade? Do It Before Winter Hits.

A fireplace upgrade isn't just a winter job, in most cases, summer is the best time to make the change.

✔ Easier installs

✔ Better availability

✔ Perfect for renovation timelines

✔ More time to season wood

✔ Avoid winter rush and price spikes

✔ Guarantees you’re ready for that first cold snap

If you’re thinking about a wood burner upgrade, doing it now means you’ll be warm, prepared, and saving money when the temperatures drop.