Urgent £1,000 warning to anyone lighting a log burner at home
Urgent £1,000 warning to anyone lighting a log burner at home
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The UK has introduced hefty punishments for anyone breaking the rules on burning fuel at home in log burners, so it’s vital to be aware of what you can and can’t do. There can be nothing more cosy and comforting during the bitterly cold winter months than snuggling up on the sofa in front of a roaring fire. Many households lucky enough to have fireplaces have opted to move away from the traditional open fire to the more modern log burner.
The design of the enclosed log burner means that it is significantly more energy efficient than an open fire using the same amount of wood because the heat is captured and recirculated. They are also considered to be more environmentally friendly because they typically emit less smoke and safer as the flames are contained.
However, there are now strict rules in place governing what households can burn at home and even if you are permitted to use a log burner or fire at all. Anyone flouting these laws could face fines of up to £1,000 or even a criminal record. Many parts of the UK are now smoke control areas and the homes that are located in them are not permitted to release smoke from a chimney. Find out if your home is one by looking on your local council’s website. The measure was brought in to reduce air pollution in densely populated areas. If you live in a smoke controlled area you cannot have a log burner or open fire and can be fined up to £300 if your chimney releases smoke.
There are also strict rules on what fuel you can burn in these areas. Wood is one of the banned fuels in a smokeless area and can only be burned in exempt appliances that includes some cookers, stoves and boilers. Unless you have an exempt appliance that is Defra approved, you can only burn authorised fuels on the approved list or the ‘smokeless’ fuels below.
