Wood burning stoves are a wonderful addition to any home. They bring warmth, cosiness, aesthetic, and are an efficient source of heating. Burning wood can also be relatively carbon neutral making them popular compared to using fossil fuels. However, with new regulations coming into effect for wood burning stoves, does this mean it’s harder to own one? Let’s delve in.
Why did wood burning stove regulations come in?
Wood burning stove regulations came into effect mainly because of concerns about air pollution and its impact on public health. Although emissions from domestic burning have significantly decreased since the 1950s, some areas continue to experience higher levels of air pollution.
The Government’s Clean Air Strategy 2019 highlighted that wood and coal-burning stoves were responsible for 38% of air pollution which poses serious health risks, especially those with pre-existing health conditions. The type of appliance, its maintenance, and the choice of fuel all influence the level of pollution emitted.
Although updated data in 2022 reduced the estimated pollution from wood burners to 17%, the regulations aim to minimise these risks by encouraging cleaner burning practices.
Are wood burning stoves banned?
With the introduction of new legislation in 2022, many people wondered whether log-burning stoves could still be used or purchased. Rest assured, log-burning stoves are not banned in the UK.
However, under the new regulations, it’s now illegal to sell bagged house coal and wet wood in units under two cubic meters. This is because burning at home with traditional coal and wet wood is a major source of the pollutant PM2.5 (identified by the World Health Organisation as the most serious air pollutant for human health).
What are the regulations now?
Under the UK’s 2022 regulations, all newly manufactured wood-burning, multi-fuel stoves, and fireplaces must comply with strict Ecodesign standards and adhere to building regulations. There are also specific rules about the type of fuel that can be used.
An Ecodesign mark means the stove has been independently tested and meets strict standards for air quality and emissions. This includes:
- Nitrogen oxides
- Carbon monoxide
- Particule matter
- Organic gasses
Ecodesign stoves are tested for seasonal efficiency, and, when properly installed, maintained, and fuelled with quality dry wood, offers a low carbon heating method using sustainable, renewable, and cleaner fuel that produces less smoke.
What type of wood can I burn for my wood burning stove?
Only certain types of wood are suitable for burning, and it must be done with a moisture content of less than 20% which you can buy from a reputable supplier.
To help you find the cleanest fuel, DEFRA has appointed HETAS and Woodsure to manage the Ready to Burn certification scheme. Using approved Ready to Burn fuels ensures compliance with the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020, which ban the sale of wet wood and house coal—the most polluting fuels.