As the UK faces colder temperatures this winter, many people turn to their log burners to keep warm and cut down on energy bills
Brits are being cautioned that firing up their log burners could land them with fines of up to £300 and even a criminal record due to stringent UK emission laws. While staying cosy is crucial, excessive emissions can have grave environmental impacts, and households could be hit with hefty penalties for not adhering to government rules.
Ecology boffins at Arbtech are advising homeowners to be conscious of their log burner usage as they could end up paying a steep price for warmth. They revealed that an estimated 1.5 million Brits own log burners, despite the government outlawing the sale of house coal and wet wood in England in 2021 to cut down on emissions and encourage greener alternatives.
Under these rules, the allowable smoke emissions from new stoves dropped from 5g to 3g per hour. Households that don’t stick to clean air regulations risk facing substantial fines and even criminal charges.
The ecology gurus at Arbtech suggest using certified fire logs and regularly checking the stove’s glass for cracks or signs of damage to ensure safe and legal use. In England, local authorities can slap fines starting at £175 on those who break these rules, with penalties soaring up to £300.
Using unapproved fuel in a non-Defra-exempt appliance could result in fines of up to £1,000. For repeat offenders, court cases could lead to penalties as high as £5,000.
A spokesperson for Arbtech cautioned log burner owners amidst dropping temperatures: “As the colder months set in, many people will turn to their log burners to keep warm and save money on energy bills, but it’s vital to understand the latest clean air regulations. Failing to meet these standards could lead to significant fines or even a criminal record, yet many log burner owners remain unaware of the potential risks.
“The rules are clear: only compliant stoves and appropriate materials should be used. Burning the wrong fuels or using damaged equipment, like stoves with cracked glass, can lead to dangerous emissions and hefty penalties. To avoid these issues, we encourage everyone to check their burners meet the required standards and switch to eco-friendly alternatives where possible.”
Laws for using log burners in UK
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the wood burner regulations are as follows:
- If you live in a smoke control area, new wood burners can’t emit more than 3g of smoke per hour.
- If your log burner is on the list of Defra-exempt appliances that produce fewer smoke emissions, you can apply for an exemption.
- You must use an approved fuel, which varies depending on where in the UK you live. See the full list of approved fuels on the Defra website.
- Look for the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo on fuel packaging. This means the fuel has less than 20% moisture and complies with Defra’s regulations.
- All new log burners must adhere to Ecodesign rules to reduce smoke and pollutant emissions. Check with the manufacturer if a wood burner adheres to Ecodesign rules.
Check if your home in a smoke control area
England: Most urban areas are in a smoke control area. Defra has a map where you can check if you live in a smoke control area.
Scotland: Check the interactive map from the Spatial Hub website.
Wales: Check the map on DataMapWales.
Northern Ireland: Check the map on the Northern Ireland Air website.
