30 Mar 2020 New rules about the burning of domestic fuels
The rules about burning fuels are changing. Beginning in February 2021, there will be a ban on the owners of stoves, wood burners and open fires buying wet wood or house coal. Amid the rumours, we set the record straight and are here to inform you of the relevant information which you will need to be aware of, come the time of this ban.
What will happen?
In a bid to protect the environment and cut down on the levels of air pollution throughout England, the government has put this ban into place and will take action between 2021 to 2023. The sales of the two fuels that give the strongest contribution to air pollution will be cut and the public are advised to opt for “cleaner alternatives”. Dry wood and manufactured solid fuels produce less smoke and less pollution, making them safer to burn and, as a bonus for our pockets, they are cheaper and more efficient!
Why will it happen?
As open fires are a big part of our country, specifically throughout those cold winter months, the ban will create a major drop in those particles of air pollution which end up in our lungs and blood, creating safer and cleaner air across the whole country. This change will bring each borough and county within the UK to the satisfactory feeling that they have played a part in creating cleaner air for Britain.
What exactly will be banned?
The types of woods that will be phased out between 2021 and 2023 are:
- Coal
- Logs from your local garden centre or petrol garage
- Wet wood from your local DIY store
What is wet wood?
There is a large amount of confusion over exactly what wet wood is. As the name hints, it is an un-dried wood with a moisture content of around 20% which, when burning, creates a mass of smoke and pollution. Used in fireplaces up and down the country, the wood is available, in bulk, at most DIY stores and petrol garages. With around 2.5 million homes throughout England burning this type of wood and coal, the ban will create the first major step in cleaning our overly polluted air – but it will only be a start. It is important to remember that there are more contributing factors to air pollution than the wood we burn in our homes. Vehicles such as cars and buses, as well as airplanes and manufacturing factories also play a part and will be tackled and tightened in the future.
Will this make much of a difference?
It is hopeful that the ban on fuels will have a knock-on effect within the UK’s households. With the costs rising to heat their homes through thermostats and heating appliances, more families may work on making their homes more energy efficient to save them money, which will also dim down emission levels.
Are you puzzled about the ban taking place or wondering what alternatives you could use to heat your home? Contact our friendly team at Fiveways Fire and Stoves Ltd by calling 020 8127 4747 or email us at where we will be happy to help with any questions you may have.