Big Brother out in full force again - this time using remote thermometers.

[Suezy]

ECan to count smoking chimneys
Last updated 13:34 05/04/2012

Don Scott
RESEARCH: A remote thermometer will show if a chimney is in use.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) staff will be using remote thermometers outside people's homes to count how many chimneys are in use.

ECan director of investigations and monitoring Ken Taylor said houses in Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru would be remotely surveyed to give the authority an estimate of the number of open fires, and burners (including wood-burners, multi-fuel burners and pellet burners), in use on a typical winter's night.

''The information gathered will help us work out how we approach achieving clean air in winter in our towns and cities,'' he said.

The survey will take place in two stages.

The first stage, taking place during the day, will look at chimneys visible from the footpath to discern the type of heating likely to be at the base of each.

The second stage will be carried out on cold weekday evenings between 6pm and 9.30pm.

A researcher will return to the homes which had chimneys and use a remote thermometer from the footpath to see whether heating is in use.

''The thermometer cannot see through walls, but only tells if the chimney is in use,'' Taylor said.

''Residents can be assured of complete anonymity and if anyone has concerns they can ask the researcher to show them a survey sheet.

''Findings will be recorded as a simple count, the results are not recorded against specific addresses and there is no individual follow-up.''


- © Fairfax NZ News

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[Sara]

So this is where my fees go to. What a debarkle. What about the people that only have open fire now because of the quake. ECANS should be wiped out.