No products in the basket.
Originally published in 2020. Updated September 2026 to reflect the current rules.
There has been a lot of confusion around the rules covering coal, wet wood and wood-burning stoves. When we originally wrote this article, there was already a great deal of discussion about the Government’s plans to restrict the sale of traditional house coal and wet wood. Those changes have now happened — but they did not mean a ban on wood-burning or multi-fuel stoves.
The important thing is to separate the rules covering fuels from the rules covering stoves and appliances.
In England, traditional house coal — also known as bituminous coal — can no longer legally be sold for domestic use. That does not mean all coal or solid fuel has been banned. Certain smokeless fuels remain available, subject to the relevant rules and the appliance being suitable for that fuel.
Smoke Control Area rules also continue to apply, so homeowners need to check which fuels are permitted for their particular appliance and location.
The rules have also changed for the sale of wood for domestic burning. Wood sold in quantities of less than 2 cubic metres must be certified as Ready to Burn and have a moisture content of no more than 20%. For larger quantities, suppliers must provide information explaining how the wood should be dried and stored before it is burned.
So the important distinction is not “wood burning has been banned”. The rules are designed to restrict the sale and burning of fuels that produce higher levels of smoke and pollution.
No. The restrictions on house coal and wet wood are fuel rules. They do not amount to a general ban on wood-burning stoves.
There are still rules around how stoves are used, particularly in Smoke Control Areas, and different appliances may be suitable for different fuels. But the changes to coal and wet wood should not be confused with a ban on owning or using a wood-burning stove.
If you have a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, make sure you are using a fuel that is suitable for your appliance and complies with the rules in your area. If you are buying firewood, look for properly seasoned wood and the Ready to Burn certification where required. If you use smokeless fuel, check that the fuel is suitable for your appliance, particularly if you live in a Smoke Control Area.
For anyone buying a new stove, it is also worth choosing a modern appliance from an established manufacturer and getting advice on the correct fuel and installation requirements before buying.
The restrictions on traditional house coal and wet wood are real. But they are fuel restrictions, not a ban on wood-burning stoves.
That distinction has been important for years, and it remains important today. If you’re seeing newer headlines about wood burners being banned, tighter emissions limits or larger fines, we’ve covered those separately in our guide:
Wood Burners Aren’t Being Banned: What the New Rules Really Mean for Homeowners
At Cast Fireplaces, we have been following these changes throughout the industry and helping customers understand what they actually mean when choosing and using a stove.
If you’re unsure what you can legally burn, what type of appliance you need or whether a particular model is suitable for your home, speak to an established stove specialist before buying.
Phone
01773 718718
Email
sales@castfireplaces.co.uk
