Looking for answers about the rules and regulations for wood burning stoves?
Are they banning stoves and fires?
No, not at all. The new legislation states however that all new stoves or fires on sale from 2022 do need to be “Ecodesign” models.
Are they banning the burning of wood or solid fuels?
No - The strategy is that all wood sold for domestic use in volumes of less than 2 cubic metres must have a moisture content of less than 20% by February 2021. Sales of bagged house coal will be phased out by February 2021 and the sale of loose house coal delivered direct to the customer will end by 2023. All manufactured solid fuel will have a 2% maximum sulphur limit and a smoke emission limit of 5g per hour.
Do I have to buy an Ecodesign stove now?
No – Until 2022 we can continue to supply you from the full spectrum of products available. Only from January 2022 will we need to ensure these are Ecodesign models
Can I keep using my existing stove?
Yes – The Clean Air Strategy does not say there will be a ban on the use of existing wood or multi-fuel appliances, nor do you need to modify your appliance. Recommendations however are that you should burn only quality dry “Ready to Burn” wood or quality smokeless fuels.
How do I know if my wood is dry?
If you do not know the history of the wood, then you must assume the wood is wet. Wood naturally dries at a rate of 1 inch per year, so it will take 6 years to dry a 12 inch log, split logs dry at an increased rate. A 12 inch log takes 8 weeks to dry in a kiln to achieve a moisture content of 20% or less.
DO NOT be tempted to dry your logs by the stove - all you are doing is increasing the likelihood of burning down your house.
DO NOT burn wet wood with solid fuel, as a very aggressive acid is created which is lethal for the stoves, chimneys and flues.
Woodsure, the UK’s only wood fuel quality assurance scheme, has launched a Ready to Burn initiative to help homeowners look after their stoves and improve air quality.
Air quality and wood fuel has become a hot topic and stove owners are being asked to think about the impact of burning poor quality firewood has on the environment. A stove is only as good as the wood it burns and so the Ready to Burn stamp of approval will reassure those who purchase firewood/briquettes with its logo that they are dry enough and immediately ready to burn. To find a supplier go to :-
Why should I burn wood?
Wood fuel can be carbon neutral. It absorbs as much carbon dioxide in its growth as it releases when it is burnt. Trees also reduce the level of air pollutants by intercepting airborne particles and absorbing pollutant gasses. Reducing carbon emissions that lead to greenhouse gases means wood is the fuel of the future. However, this is dependent on the cycle being maintained by the planting of new green areas.
However, all fossil fuels (coal, anthracite, brown coal, peat, oil, gas and lpg) emit carbon dioxide when they are burnt. It is, therefore, very important to think about ways of reducing these emissions. This can be done by ensuring that your heating system is efficient, well maintained and incorporates adequate controls. You should also undertake other energy saving measures, such as increasing the insulation of your house.
The list below shows typical carbon dioxide emissions per week for different principal fuels used in the average house.
ELECTRICITY 130kgs
COAL 120kgs
OIL 90kgs
GAS 70kgs
WOOD NIL
Can I burn logs I find in a field or woods?
Firstly, I would ask permission from the land owner. If you do not know the history of the wood, then you must assume the wood is wet. Wood naturally dries at a rate of 1 inch per year, so it will take 6 years to dry a 12 inch log, split logs dry at an increased rate. A 12 inch log takes 8 weeks to dry in a kiln to achieve a moisture content of 20% or less.
DO NOT be tempted to dry your logs by the stove - all you are doing is increasing the likelihood of burning down your house.
DO NOT burn wet wood with solid fuel, as a very aggressive acid is created which is lethal for the stoves, chimneys and flues
Why line a chimney?
Chimneys are lined for a number of safety reasons. New chimneys may require relining to suit the fuel type being used (a gas flue liner may not be suitable for other fuels). Chimney systems that predate 1965 will often require a modern lining solution for the following reasons:
The flue may have lost integrity and can leak smoke into rooms or other part of the building
Condensates or tar can seep through chimney walls causing staining, inside or outside of the buildingLining with insulation included can improve the operation of the appliance and flue – particularity important when the chimney is situated on an external wall
Defective flue systems may be eroded and rough. Thus will cause frictional resistance to the flow of the gases resulting in poor up-draught
Large flues over 200mm, particularly ones containing voids, may affect appliance performance. Some appliance manufacturers specify smaller flues for efficient operation
Is my area a smoke control area?
Go to https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules to see if you are in a smoke controlled are.