Brits are being cautioned that lighting their log burners could result in fines of up to £1,000 and even a criminal record due to stringent UK emission regulations. While staying warm is crucial, excessive emissions can have severe environmental impacts, and households may face substantial penalties for failing to comply with government rules.
Ecology experts at Arbtech are advising homeowners to be aware of their log burner usage as the cost of staying warm could be steep. They noted that an estimated 1.5 million Brits own log burners, despite the government’s ban on the sale of house coal and wet wood in England in 2021 to curb emissions and encourage greener alternatives.
Under these rules, the allowable smoke emissions from new stoves dropped from 5g to 3g per hour. Households that fail to adhere to clean air regulations risk facing hefty fines and even criminal convictions.
Arbtech’s ecology experts suggest using certified fire logs and regularly checking the stove’s glass for cracks or signs of damage to ensure safe and legal operation. In England, local authorities can issue fines starting at £175 for those who violate these regulations, with penalties reaching up to £300.
Using unauthorised 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 warned log burner owners about the importance of adhering to clean air regulations as winter approaches: “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 on using log burners
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.
