Whether you have a log burner, a multi-fuel stove or an old-fashioned fireplace, burning solid fuels brings more than just warmth into your home – the particles in their smoke have an impact on our health and on the environment. But there are simple and effective changes you can make to reduce the impact. We spoke to experts in the field to find out how we can burn as safely and cleanly as possible.
The chimney sweep
Ray Tuckey is a member of the Federation of British Chimney Sweeps. Based in Chacombe, Northamptonshire, he’s been in the business for nine years
Sweeping your chimney every six months if you have a stove, or once a year if you have a traditional chimney, is crucial. The main problem people encounter is a blocked chimney – I’ve seen a lot of mummified jackdaws in my time. You need a good cowl on the top to stop birds entering, and to prevent backdrafts.
People tend to throw everything on to their fire all at once, but if your chimney hasn’t been used for a while, there can be a lot of cold, dense air inside that will force smoke back down it. You need to build your fire up gradually, starting with firelighters or kindling and letting it warm up the chimney before moving on to quarter logs. It’s best to keep up a decent flame, too, rather than letting your fire smoulder.
A build-up of flammable tar from using the wrong type of fuel can cause chimney fires, which still happen a lot. Regular maintenance by a registered chimney sweep can prevent them, and could be required for your house insurance, too.
People will sometimes skip a sweep because they don’t use their fire very often, but soot is very acidic, and without regular sweeping it can eat away at the mortar or lining in your chimney. It only costs about £60-£100, depending on where you live, so it’s not worth skimping on. If you’ve just moved into a new home and want to make sure your chimney is safe to use, it’s one of the first things you should do.
The fuels adviser
Wilma Brooks is general manager of the Solid Fuel Association (SFA), which protects consumers and offers free advice on solid-fuel heating. Based in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, she has been in the industry for more than 30 years
No matter what sort of fire you have, there’s a suitable fuel. Ideally, everyone should be buying authorised smokeless manufactured fuels. They produce less sulphur, provide as clean a burn as possible, and are better for the environment and our health.
If firewood and briquettes are marked with the Ready to Burn logo, they’re certified and safe to be used straight away. Using the wrong fuel can cause all sorts of problems – burning wet wood, or cutting your own without drying it out, is like throwing money on to your fire. Wood needs to have less than 20% moisture, otherwise you’re basically burning water – you won’t get any heat from it, and it could rot your chimney’s liner, if you have one installed.
Throwing random pieces of wood on your fire can also be dangerous. It could be treated with creosote or paint, and have a damaging effect not only on your chimney, but on you as well.
Every fireplace and chimney is unique, so we recommend people try a small amount of different fuels to see which ones suit them best – for example, some produce less ash, while some burn hotter. The SFA also offers a free helpline, so if you’re not sure, just ask. We’re here to try and make sure people using solid fuels have the best experience ever.
The installer
David Phelps is a Hetas-registered installer of wood-burner and multi-fuel stoves at Gloucestershire-based Phelps Property Services. He’s been in the industry for 20 years
When I walk into a customer’s home, the first thing I notice is whether a burner or stove has been installed correctly. If it looks like it hasn’t, the homeowner usually won’t have a certificate of compliance – this states that the unit’s been fitted in line with building regulations, and may be needed for your house insurance.
I’ve seen some horrendous DIY attempts, with issues like poor flue installation making them unsafe. But even if you’re handy with a hammer, rather than going on YouTube and attempting to install a burner or stove yourself, you should always hire a Hetas-registered installer. Poor installation and a lack of maintenance or sweeping can cause carbon monoxide leaks that, if left, can worsen over time. Carbon monoxide can kill, so it’s really crucial.
Once it’s fitted, your burner should be serviced and the chimney/flue swept, I’d say, once a year. I also make sure firewood isn’t being kept nearby – if it gets too hot, it can set light. A client recently had a living room fire after storing logs next to their stove.
To keep your burner running smoothly, you should go through your own weekly checklist: cleaning the glass so you can see the flame and check it’s not too high or low, emptying your ash pan, checking your controls are working correctly, and that your door seals, firebricks and baffle plate are intact.
If you live in a smoke controlled area and your appliance is old and not Defra-exempt – or it’s been condemned by a servicer or sweep – you should upgrade. Make sure you ask your retailer or installer for advice about local and party wall regulations before buying, so you don’t fall out with your neighbour or fall foul of the law.
The coal merchant
Tony White owns Kent-based T White Coal Merchants, which is a member of the Approved Coal Merchants scheme. He’s been in the business for 19 years
Sometimes I see the smoke coming out of people’s chimneys, and I know just from the colour of it that they’re burning wet wood or old-fashioned house coal. Both are big-time pollutants, and these days, home burners should be using fuels that are better for the environment. You need to look for smokeless fuels or kiln-dried wood with the Ready to Burn logo on the packaging, which shows that it’s been tried, tested and approved by [Defra-appointed certification bodies] Hetas or Woodsure.
Choosing the right fuel for your fire is crucial. Burning old-fashioned house coal on a multi-fuel burner will clog up the vents and the flue. I’ve even seen people trying to burn coal in a wood burner by making their own grates. Some people will happily burn fresh wood they’ve collected themselves without drying it out for a year or two first, but the resulting smoke can tar up your chimney and cause a fire. You should never burn waste wood at home, either – if it’s been treated with something like creosote, the smoke could poison you.
Buy [anthracite/smokeless fuels] from an Approved Coal Merchant. Merchants are trained, know their stuff, and can advise you on what fuel you can safely burn, without risking your chimney, your appliance, or your health.
A while ago, a neighbour learned that lesson the hard way, when the smoke from his freshly cut logs tarred up his chimney, resulting in a massive fire … he started using smokeless fuels after that.
Make changes to how you burn solid fuels at home. For more information about how you can burn better, visit uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/burnbetter
Burn Better is a cross-industry campaign supported by Hetas, the Solid Fuel Association, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
