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There was quite a bit of confusion a few years ago about whether coal and wood were going to be banned for use in fireplaces and stoves.
They weren’t. You can still use a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, but the rules around which fuels can be sold for domestic burning in England have changed. The aim was to reduce the use of traditional house coal and very wet firewood rather than stop people using stoves altogether.
Yes. Wood can still be burnt in a suitable wood-burning or multi-fuel stove. The important change is the moisture content of firewood being sold in smaller quantities.
Wood sold for domestic use in volumes of less than 2m³ must be certified as Ready to Burn, which means it has a moisture content of 20% or less. This is better for the stove as well as the environment. Dry wood burns more efficiently, produces more useful heat and creates less smoke and soot than wet logs.
The rules are slightly different if you’re buying wood in quantities of 2m³ or more. Larger loads can be sold before they are fully seasoned, but the supplier must provide information explaining that the wood needs to be dried before it is burnt. If you season your own logs, the important thing is to make sure they are properly dry before putting them on the fire. A moisture meter is a useful way of checking.
Traditional house coal, also known as bituminous coal, can no longer be sold for domestic burning in England. The sale of traditional house coal was gradually phased out and became unlawful for domestic use from May 2023. That doesn’t mean every type of solid fuel has disappeared. Approved manufactured solid fuels and fuels such as anthracite can still be sold, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
If you have a multi-fuel stove, always check which fuels the manufacturer says can be used in it.
Yes. The changes to fuel rules did not ban wood-burning or multi-fuel stoves. We still supply a wide range of wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves. The important thing is choosing a suitable stove, having it installed correctly and burning the right fuel.
There are additional rules if you live in a smoke control area. In these areas, you can normally only burn authorised fuels unless you are using a DEFRA-exempt appliance that has been approved for particular fuels. If you’re unsure whether your home is in a smoke control area, your local council can confirm it. It’s also worth checking the exact stove before ordering if you know you live in one of these areas.
The fuel-sale rules discussed above apply to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules, and smoke control areas can also affect what you are allowed to burn locally. So if you live outside England, check the rules that apply where you live before choosing your fuel.
For a wood-burning stove, use properly seasoned dry wood. If you have a multi-fuel stove and want to burn an alternative solid fuel, use one that is suitable for the appliance and meets the current requirements.
Avoid trying to burn wet logs simply because they are available. They produce less useful heat, create considerably more smoke and can contribute to deposits in the stove and chimney.
Not quite.
What changed in England was the sale of particular fuels. Traditional house coal can no longer be sold for domestic burning, while small quantities of firewood must be sufficiently dry before they are sold. Wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves themselves were not banned, and you can still enjoy a real fire provided you use suitable fuel and follow the rules that apply in your area.
Phone
01773 718718
Email
sales@castfireplaces.co.uk
