2024 log burner rules every household with one should know to avoid £1,000 fines
Regulations on wood burning stoves have tightened in recent years - here's what you need to know about Smoke Control Areas and the only type of fuel you can burn
by Catherine Addison-Swan, Sophie Harris · ChronicleLiveWith the weather getting colder as winter approaches, households across the UK are turning on their heating - and if you're one of the 1.5 million with a wood burning stove in your home, you are likely getting ready to fire it up as temperatures drop.
The stoves are becoming an increasingly popular choice as an alternative to central heating when it comes to heating the home in the colder months, with around 200,000 sold each year. However, the law has changed in recent years regarding log burners, meaning that all households that use one must ensure they follow a set of regulations in order to avoid potentially hefty fines.
Under rules introduced in January 2022, all new wood burning stoves used in the UK must comply with Ecodesign regulations, which set minimum seasonal efficiency and maximum emission requirements for carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and organic gaseous compounds. If you own an older stove which does not meet Ecodesign standards, you may not be able to use it if you live in one of the country's Smoke Control areas, The Express reports.
These are parts of the country where you are not allowed to release smoke from a chimney, and where you can only burn authorised fuel unless you have an exempt appliance. Breaking these rules, which are detailed on the Government website, will result in you having to pay a penalty of up to £300 if your chimney emits smoke, while you can be fined up to £1,000 if you use unauthorised fuel in an appliance that has not been approved by Defra.
Exempt appliances include wood burning and multi fuel stoves which have been rigorously tested and have demonstrated low smoke emissions when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and with the recommended fuel, a full list of which can be found on the Defra website. With exempted appliances, only dry and 'ready to burn' wood can be used.
The Ready to Burn scheme makes it easier for households to find the cleanest fuels for burning at home, with wood suppliers across the UK that comply with the regulations available to search online. It's vital not to burn treated waste wood, such as old furniture, pallets or fence panels, as this can emit harmful fumes and toxic pollutants, such as arsenic, into your home when burnt.
An interactive map of the Smoke Control Areas across the UK can also be found on the Defra website. Many areas of the country, including most of the North East, are Smoke Control Areas, so if you live in one of these areas and have a log burner you must make sure it is both on the list of exempt appliances and that you only use dry, ready to burn wood.
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