Log burners have become increasingly popular over the years as an alternative way to heat your home, especially due to the rising cost of gas and electricity in the cost of living crisis. But there are new rules that have now come into force around wood-burning stoves that all homeowners who own one must know.
It is estimated that more than 1.5 million people now have log burners in their homes, but they are being met with an important warning. Owners have to comply with several clean air regulations and exemptions to make sure that they are fit for use, with those not following the rules eligible to pay a fine of up to £1,000.
In 2022, new laws came into force concerning the type of log burner you can buy and what you can put in it. This came after wood burners have been linked to almost 50 percent of people's exposure to cancer-causing chemicals found in air pollution particles in urban areas.
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Though once thought to be a eco-friendly heating solution, trees are not being planted at a rate to keep up with the amount of CO2 released by burning them, reports LeicestershireLive.
The new wood burning stove laws have come into force to reduce harmful emissions, as the appliances are said to account for around 38 per cent of particulate matter air pollution, a Government report says.
The buying and installation of new log burners is not banned, despite confusion, but there is a production ban on older stoves.
According to the HomeOwners Alliance, wood burning stoves and multi-fuel stoves and fireplaces now manufactured have to meet strict new guidelines known as Ecodesign.
The Ecodesign mark means the stove has been tested by an approved laboratory, meeting all requirements on air quality and particulates.
Another change is that the sale of bagged house coal and wet wood in units under two cubic meters is now illegal.
Government regulations state: "Burning at home, particularly with traditional house coal or wet wood, is a major source of the pollutant PM2.5 – which has been identified by the World Health Organisation as the most serious air pollutant for human health."
Wood that is sold for the purpose of burning in stoves need to be RTG (Ready To Burn), meaning it has been tested and has a moisture content under 20%. DEFRA appointed HETAS and Woodsure to run the RTB fuel certification scheme in order to achieve cleaner burning of wood.
Another rule is that if you are in one of the nation's smoke control areas, you must only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuels, or any of the following 'smokeless' alternatives, unless you're using an exempt appliance.
You can find out if you're living in a smoke control area by contacting your council directly. If you are in a smoke control area you will need to look for a wood burner that has been verified as Defra Exempt.
A statement from the government said: "In England you may have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if your local council decides your chimney releases too much smoke. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you burn unauthorised fuel without an exempt appliance."
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