UK households who have a log burner face £300 fine for using it in December

UK households with a log burner face £300 fines for using it in December, it has been warned. Anyone found to be in breach of the rules could now be liable for an immediate fine of up to £300 and even face criminal prosecution.

John Cutts, an expert at MeandMyGlass.co.uk, warns: "Many log burner owners are unaware of the recent implications of clean air regulations. If they're not followed correctly, thousands of Brits could face large fines and even a criminal conviction. The regulations state that owners are to face penalties for using wood-burning stoves which don't meet the UK's standard for emissions."

Mr Cutts added: “Not only do people have to be aware of the type of log burner they're using, but also the material being burned on it. Using the wrong log burner and materials will result in a hefty penalty." Experts say an estimated 1.5 million Brits own log burners with some households finding them a useful alternative to heating when energy bills are high.

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New rules came into force earlier this year under the government's new Environmental Improvement Plan which reduce the permissible amount of smoke that log burners can produce from 5g per hour to 3g per hour. The rules automatically apply to 'smoke control areas', which include most of England's towns and cities.

Gov.uk states: "Restrictions on the sale of coal, wet wood and manufactured solid fuels for burning in the home have come into force from today (1 May). Burning at home, particularly with traditional house coal or wet wood, is a major source of the pollutant PM2.5 – tiny particles which can enter the bloodstream and lodge in lungs and other organs. PM2.5 has been identified by the World Health Organisation as the most serious air pollutant for human health.

"People with log burners and open fires can still use them, but will be required to buy cleaner alternative fuels – if they are not already – such as dry wood and manufactured solid fuels which produce less smoke. Both of these cleaner options are just as easy to source and more efficient to burn, making them more cost effective. Burning dry wood also produces more heat and less soot than wet wood and can reduce emissions by up to 50%."