Don't get caught out by new log burner rules

Households face fines of up to £300

A recent report in the national press has stated that households in England with a log burner in their home face fines of up to £300 if they make a common mistake this coming winter.

November has arrived and we have been virtually basking in mild and sunny conditions, but this is all about to change, with a sudden cold snap heralding an end to the milder temperatures and a scramble to crank up the central heating. However, if you are like many thousands of people who have opted for a solid fuel stove or log burner to beat the cost of energy, you may be in for a bit of a shock.

A recent law change means that those who live in a smoke control area must be mindful of how much smoke their burner releases, as going over the limit can result in significant fines. The law states that the amount of smoke new stoves can emit is just 3g per house, down from 5g previously. The figure was lowered after the Government banned the sale of house coal and wet wood in England in 2022 as part of efforts to cut emissions and encourage the use of greener fuels.

Households are warned to only use certified fire logs in burners and to monitor the stove's glass to make sure there are no small cracks or excess damage.

Don't panic over the new log burner laws

If you own a log burner, or you've been thinking of having one installed, you've probably noticed the headlines. From "log burner bans" to "new stove crackdowns". These headlines are enough to send you into a tailspin if you've recently paid out for a log burner or fill you full of disappointment if you have your heart set on one, but remember, headlines are meant to be an attention grabber. Read the full facts and you will see that there is nothing to worry about, and the new legislation is actually a good thing, as it will help to protect the environment that we all have to live in.

All that has really happened is that the government has simply tightened some regulations around wood-burning stoves. The goal is to cut down on smoke, soot, and pollution without taking away the pleasure that can be derived from an open fire or a solid fuel stove. The new legislation is intended to allow you to keep the charm of your log burner, just with cleaner air as a bonus.

Wrong fuel equals a bad environment

Using the wrong type of fuel does create a good deal of pollution, and if you happen to be unlucky enough to live in the proximity of a house that does burn the wrong type of fuel, you will be all too aware of the misery it can cause.

Excess smoke can have a detrimental effect on your ability to breathe, and the soot or flakes of black debris can coat your windows and conservatory roof.

Burning at home with traditional house coal or wet wood is a major source of the pollutant PM2.5, which can enter the bloodstream and lodge in lungs and other organs. This pollutant has been identified by the World Health Organisation as the most serious air pollutant for human health, so by taking some simple, common-sense precautions, you can stay warm without running the risk of a fine.

The rumour mill surrounding log burners has been in full swing

There have been many rumours circulating on social media about the dangers of open fires and wood burners, with some claiming that we are rapidly heading back to the days of smog and pea soupers because of wood burning stoves and fires, but let's look at a little context.

The Great Smog of London in December 1952 was caused by a combination of severe weather conditions and elevated levels of coal pollution, leading to a deadly air quality crisis.

Firstly, it is illegal to burn traditional house coal for domestic heating in the United Kingdom, but you can burn smokeless coal and other approved fuels.

The current regulations state that as of May 1, 2023, the sale of traditional house coal, which is also known as bituminous coal for domestic burning has been banned in England. This legislation is part of the government's efforts to improve air quality and reduce pollution from domestic burning, which is a significant source of fine particulate matter.

The actual causes of the Great Smog

• Weather Conditions: A period of unusually cold weather in December 1952 coincided with an anticyclone, which is a high-pressure system that traps cold air at the surface. This weather pattern prevented the dispersal of pollutants, allowing smoke and fog to accumulate over London.
• Coal Burning: The primary source of pollution was the burning of coal for heating and power generation. During the cold snap, Londoners burned more coal than usual to keep warm. The type of coal used was often of low quality, which produced higher levels of sulphur dioxide and particulate matter, leading to a much higher level of air pollution.
• Industrial Pollution: In addition to residential coal burning, numerous coal-fired power stations, and factories in and around London contributed significantly to the air pollution. The combination of smoke from these sources and the natural fog created a thick, toxic smog.

From a purely historical context, London had an exceptionally long history of air pollution, with "peasoupers", which was a term for dense, polluted fog being common since at least the 13th century. However, the Great Smog was unprecedented in its severity and impact, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread health issues.

The Great Smog lasted from December 5 to December 9, 1952, and resulted in an estimated 4,000 to 12,000 deaths due to respiratory illnesses and other health complications. The event prompted significant public outcry and led to the introduction of the Clean Air Act in 1956, which aimed to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in London and beyond.

Although the Great Smog of London was a tragic event that was caused by a combination of adverse weather conditions and high levels of coal pollution, highlighting the critical need for environmental regulation and public health awareness, it had nothing to do with people burning wood or having log burners or solid fuel stoves.

Log burners and open fires are not being banned

There has been a good deal of panic caused by rumours that log burners and open fires are being banned. The worry is understandable if like many others, you have spent a tidy sum of money having a chimney lined and a solid fuel stove fitted because you are sick of paying through the nose for mains gas or electricity to keep snug and warm.

In fact, the log burners and related heating appliances have bridged the gap for so many people who were previously choosing between heating and eating when the mercury dropped.

So, just to be clear, any household with a log burner or open fire is now required by law to buy cleaner alternative fuels, such as dry wood and manufactured solid fuels, which produce less smoke. Burning dry wood also produces more heat and less soot than wet wood and can reduce emissions by up to 50%.

The correct moisture content in wood is key to a safe log burner

Concisely, firewood should be below 20% moisture content, and a simple device to accurately monitor the moisture content of your fuel need not cost more than twenty or so pounds. As the devices to check wood moisture content are so cheap, there really is no excuse to burn wet wood in your fire or log burner.

The moisture content is what separates a glorious, cosy fire from a smoky, crackling and spitting mess that could land you with a fine and possibly something far worse.

When firewood is holding too much water, your fire has to waste a huge amount of energy just boiling off the moisture trapped inside the wood's cells. This can be as high as 60% on some freshly cut wood. This creates a fire that really struggles to produce any proper heat. Instead of warming your room, it just produces excessive smoke and steam. Worse still, this wet wood, when burnt will coat your chimney with a flammable, tar-like residue called creosote. Not only will this clog up your chimney, smell something awful, but could easily lead to a dangerous chimney fire, and that's the last thing you want.

Wet wood is difficult to light and burn

Essentially, you want to burn wood, not water. This basic principle is what separates an efficient, warming fire from an inefficient, polluting and potentially dangerous one. Every percentage point of moisture above that ideal 20% mark actively reduces how much heat your logs can produce.

The term for correctly dried firewood is seasoned wood, and when you use seasoned, dry wood for firewood, it will burn properly, keeping you warm and snug on those chilly winter days and nights.

The problems of using wet wood

Unseasoned firewood is exceedingly difficult to light. The fire will really struggle to get going and will probably go out after a short spell. Wet firewood also creates far too much smoke too. Incomplete burning releases clouds of smoke filled with harmful particulates that can have an adverse effect on you, your family and your neighbours breathing and wellbeing.

Another problem with firewood that is too wet is that it produces extraordinarily little heat. All the energy goes into drying the wood instead of efficiently burning the wood and keeping you and your family warm.

Smelly and dangerous creosote will also build up in your chimney flue, creating a profoundly serious fire hazard.

Just remember that any fire that is trying to burn wet wood is going to have an uphill struggle to work efficiently. It will be wasting its own energy just to dry out the wet fuel. Properly seasoned wood with a moisture content below 20% ignites easily, burns cleanly, and gives you the maximum amount of heat.

The new law on log burners in the United Kingdom

Households that buy unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance that's not approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) face a fine of up to £1,000. If your solid fuel is not on the approved list, you cannot burn it in your log burner if you live in a smoke control area.

Defra said: "Wood can only be burned on exempted appliances and must be dry and ready to burn. Non-exempted appliance users can only burn approved solid fuels."

In its advice to households, Defra added: "Check if you are in a smoke control area. Think if you have to burn. Ensure you only use the correct appliance or fuel."

"Maintain stoves and sweep chimneys. Install a carbon monoxide monitor, this will alert you to dangerous fumes and reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning."

More and more smoke control areas on the way

As time passes, and more and more people return to the warmth, beauty, and overall aesthetic pleasure of a real fire, whether it be an open fire or a solid fuel stove, more and more local authorities are moving toward becoming a smoke control area.

Currently, Welwyn Hatfield Council in Hertfordshire are beginning a consultation process with a view to becoming smoke free. This has caused a good deal of upset on social media with people stating that they have a solid fuel stove or an open fire and the council should spend their time on improving the roads and other local services rather than penalising people for trying to stay warm in the winter. However, one only needs to read the actual proposals to see that all is not lost, and the proposed controls are for the benefit of everyone in the area.

A log burner is still a sound investment

So, if you are looking to have a solid fuel stove or log burner installed in your property, you still can. Don't be scared off by inaccurate and panic inducing headlines.

All you need to do is have a Defra approved appliance and a cheap device to check that your wood is below 20% moisture content and you are good to go. Even if you don't have a Defra approved appliance, you just need to ensure your fuel is of an approved type.

Above all, stay warm and safe this winter and breathe easy!

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