New laws for log burning stoves

By Jim Sales Account Executive

A person placing a log into a burning wood stove, with flames visible inside and the stove door open.

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Are you the owner of a log burning stove who also happens to be based in England? If the answer is “yes,” then this article is a must-read for you.

New smoke emissions limits reduced to 3g of smoke per hour

You may or may not be aware there are now brand-new emissions regulations that could result in hefty fines or even criminal records if your stove puts out more than 3g of smoke per hour. The current rules have now become 40 percent stricter than the previous regulations which allowed your stove to have emissions of up to 5g of smoke per hour.

Now, if your wood burning stove exceeds the new, reduced, 3g/hour limit, you could end up facing financial penalties of up to £300 depending on the severity of emissions.

The UK government’s new 25-year environmental plan

The UK government recently introduced (this year in 2023) a new environmental plan with the aim of reducing emissions over the next 25 years. Part of this plan are stricter regulations for wood burners, including a limit on emissions.

Although these measures don’t include an outright ban on wood stoves, they are intended to encourage more efficient use, and in so doing, help reduce greenhouse gas levels. It’s important to remember a total ban would be impractical because wood fuel is still an important source of heating and cooking energy for millions of households across the country.

Close-up of burning wood logs with bright orange flames.

Health impacts of wood and coal burning

Burning wood and coal are the leading sources of PM2.5, a type of fine particulate matter that is small enough to enter your lungs and bloodstream. Recent data shows these two fuels account for 38 percent of the United Kingdom’s PM2.5 emissions. To therefore reduce wood stove emissions, the recommendation is to invest in an efficient stove model, use higher quality fuel, and totally avoid burning wet wood.

How to avoid a £300 fine for using your log burning stove

To help enforce pollution control, local authorities have introduced a £300 fine for any household found using an illegal wood-burning stove. This applies across most English towns and cities, so it’s essential for log burner owners to stay within the regulations and avoid incurring fines.

Households that are found to be emitting too much smoke from their chimneys may face fines of up to £300 for even a first offence. Local authorities also retain the right to pursue a criminal case against households that become repeat offenders.

Recent DEFRA regulations that apply to log burners

In order to promote sustainability, DEFRA (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has implemented various environmental regulations targeting log burner use in recent years.

Such steps include a ban on selling wet firewood, plus the introduction of the “ready to burn” wood fuel quality standard. This standard prohibits any sale of firewood with more than 20 percent moisture content, as it’s this content that creates smoke when burned. Wood fuels that contain less than 20 percent moisture are deemed safe for use.

In summary:

You can still enjoy the use and benefits of a log burning stove if you comply with the regulations above, thus avoiding hefty fines.

If you’re a log burning stove owner who also lives in a period property, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on how this appliance might impact your listed property insurance.

Live with character. Insure with confidence.

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