How Do The New Log Burner Rules Affect You?

Did you hear about the new rules in regards to log burners? Well, households across England could be landed with on-the-spot fines, or even criminal records in more severe cases, if they don’t follow the new log burner rules. In efforts to reduce emissions, new regulations from the government have been put in place to decrease the amount of smoke log burners can produce and release, going from 5g of smoke per hour to a maximum of 3g.

So, could these new rules affect you from burning kiln dried logs in your log burner or stove? Continue reading to learn more.

Who Does It Apply To?

The new rules apply to homes located in "smoke control areas" which includes most cities and towns in England. Contact your local council to find out if your home is in a smoke control area. Any household in a smoke control area found not complying with the new regulations could be issued with a hefty fine or other criminal proceedings.

Why Are There New Rules?

The new rules are part of the government's 25 year environment plan to make improvements. Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said they aim to leave "the environment in a better state than we found it."

The Effects of Burning Wood

Log burners and coal fires are the highest sources of a PM2.5, a fine particulate matter that passes through the human body, causing serious health problems to the lungs and bloodstream. Roughly 1.5 million UK homes burn wood as a source of heat in their homes. Surprisingly, burning wood and coal in open fires and log burners adds up to a shocking 38% of the UK's emissions of PM2.5. Along with 16% from industrial combustion,13% from solvents and industrial processes, and 12% from road transport. In other terms, a log burner releases more PM2.5 per hour than a diesel lorry.

Along with reducing the amount of PM2.5 from log burners, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) will allow local authorities to issue fines up to £300 on households with chimneys releasing too much smoke, and in more serious cases, members of the household could face a criminal record.

Can I Still Burn Wood?

Under the 25 year plan, the government has issued stricter rules rather than an entire ban on burning fuels entirely, this is because some households still rely on them for heating and cooking. However, barbeques, fire pits, and bonfires are exempted from the ban, as it was said to be "disproportionate." 

In 2021, the government implemented restrictions on the sale of traditional house coal and wet wood to cut down on particulate matter in England to help human health. Households can still use their log burner. However, they are encouraged to burn cleaner alternatives such as kiln dried logs, as house coal and wet wood are two of the highest polluting fuels. Homeowners can be fined up to £1,000 if they are found burning these unauthorised fuels.

Is Kiln Dried Logs A Better Alternative?

The beauty of kiln dried logs is that they contain 20% less moisture than traditional wood, giving off less smoke and providing up to 3 times more heat. Many people prefer the aesthetic look of a wood burning fire, kiln dried logs still offer that while being much cleaner for the environment than wet wood or coal. Burning wet wood releases more smoke and PM2.5 than dry wood. Additionally, wet wood can also damage your log burner.

Premium Kiln Dried Logs at D Price & Sons

At D Price and Sons, we supply premium kiln dried hardwood and softwood logs to homes in Stoke-On-Trent and Staffordshire. Our kindling and softwood logs are the perfect duo for starting a roaring fire, being easy and quick to burn. To top up your fire, our hardwood logs are made for a slower burn, meaning less trips to refuel your fire. We recommend using a combination of the two for a hassle-free, long burning, and crackling fire. 

We also offer free delivery of premium logs to local areas. For further information on our products, please get in touch with us.