Wood-burning stoves have grown hugely in popularity in recent years, but so has regulation around the types of stoves allowed and the types of firewood you can buy.
The roaring flames of a wood burning stove offer undeniable cosy warmth. With gas and electric bills on a seemingly constant upward trajectory, they’re also becoming an economically appealing alternative heating proposition – at least until you fall foul of a fine!
Here’s everything you need to know if you already own a wood-burning stove, or are considering purchasing one.
Smoke control areas, Defra-approved appliances and fines
Many large villages, towns, and cities fall under ‘smoke control areas’. In these areas, if you burn wood fuel in an appliance that is not approved by Defra, you could be fined up to £1,000.
Defra-approved appliances are also referred to as ‘exempt’ or ‘smoke exempt’ (SE) appliances. These approved stoves produce a cleaner burn because they give better control of airflow and are designed to never completely close – the wood fuel is less likely to smoulder as it is never starved completely of air.
You can check on the Defra website to see if your stove qualifies. Most modern stoves do. Choose your country and browse the list.
Contrary to popular belief, wood burning stoves are not being banned in the UK – but any stoves placed on the market must be compliant with Ecodesign Regulations for efficiency.
If your chimney releases excessive smoke in a smoke control area, you could have to pay a fine of up to £300. This may happen if noticed by an inspector or after being reported by a neighbour.
Do I live in a smoke control area?
These interactive maps can help you to quickly discover if you live in a smoke control area:
England: Defra smoke control area map
Wales: DataMapWales’ map
Northern Ireland: Smoke control areas - Northern Ireland Air
You can also find out if you live in a smoke control area by contacting your local council.
The latest wood fuel regulations in the UK
As of 2022, the sale of bagged house coal and unseasoned (or ‘wet’) wood in units under two cubic metres is prohibited, while larger quantities of unseasoned wood must come with drying instructions. Wet wood is classified as having a moisture content of over 20%.
These new regulations are part of the government’s Clean Air Strategy 2019 for tackling air pollution and are detailed in The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020.
Although emissions have reduced since the 1950s – and are at their lowest level since 1970 – the household burning of wood and coal still accounts for 38% of the UK’s primary emissions of fine particulate matter.
When moist wood is burned, the moisture in the wood evaporates as steam, which cools the fire and produces smoke and harmful by-products, such as fine particulate matter. This process also makes the burning process less efficient.
Cleaner alternatives – such as dry wood and wood briquettes – are recommended. When they combust, they produce less smoke, provide more heat, and can reduce emissions by up to 50%.
‘Ready To Burn’
Wood must be classified as ‘Ready to Burn’ in order to be sold in quantities under 2m³. Approved suppliers under the Defra-backed Ready to Burn scheme offer wood that has been independently tested to meet the standard of a moisture content of 20% or less. The scheme is certified by Woodsure, a non-profit organisation.
At Duffield Timber, we are one such certified supplier. Our Ready To Burn, high-density Lava Logs, made from the byproducts of our sawmilling operations, contain 9.3% moisture – making them the perfect wood fuel solution!
We’ve written in more detail about the Ready to Burn scheme and what becoming certified entails.
Keep warm (and compliant) with Lava Log wood briquettes
Lava Log wood briquettes offer a hot, clean, long-lasting burn for wood-burning stoves, open fireplaces, chimineas, firepits.
Each high-density briquette is produced from compacted sawdust, boasting less than 10% moisture content, 1.1g/cm³ density and carrying ‘Ready To Burn’ certification. They also offer superior heat performance – after 2 hours 30 minutes, Lava Logs still burn at 92°C.
Lava Logs are available in three pack sizes – boxes of 3 packs (28 briquettes), half pallets (318 briquettes) and full pallets (630 briquettes) – with fast, free, UK delivery.
