Households in England urged to check woodburner compliance to avoid fines

Households in England urged to check woodburner compliance to avoid fines

Households with a woodburner or solid fuel appliance should check the rules on the types of fuel they can burn to avoid potential fines if their fail to follow environmental measures on smoke pollution.

That’s the message from OFTEC, a registration body for off gas grid heating, which includes solid fuel, after the first fine was issued to a household for using their woodburner without adhering to the regulations, resulting in a £175 fixed penalty notice.

There are an estimated 1.5 million wood burning stoves in the UK and many households value them as an important heat source to help offset the running costs of their main heating system.

However, in recent years, a growing number of Smoke Control Areas have been introduced which limit the type of fuel which can be burnt in the home, to clamp down on air pollution. OFTEC is urging households to check the requirements set out by their local council.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, commented: “Woodburners continue to be very popular, particularly in rural areas, and whilst they are sometimes seen as a luxury, for many households they are an important source of heating.

“However, it’s important to be aware that some councils have introduced smoke free areas which put limits on the types of fuel which can be burnt. Failing to comply with the measures could result in potential fines, so it’s important to check the rules in your area. If you live in a Smoke Control Area, and want to use wood as a fuel, your stove must be of the DEFRA-approved type, which includes clearSkies Level 3 and above certified appliances, as these are designed to minimise harmful emissions.”

The trade association has also issued a five point checklist for households to follow to ensure they are using their woodburner safely. The advice includes:

1. Have the woodburner serviced at least one a year by a qualified technician who will check it is working correctly. Technicians who are OFTEC registered for solid fuel undergo training and follow strict regulations to ensure high standards are maintained

2. Ensure your chimney is regularly swept by a qualified chimney sweep to clear any blockages. This helps prevent smoke coming back into the house and reduces the risk of a potential chimney fire

3. Make sure you have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in the room with your woodburner to help warn against potential poisoning from the odourless gas. Alarms can typically be purchased for less than £20 and should be regularly tested

4. If you have small children, install a safety guard around the woodburner to help prevent accidental burns if they try to touch the appliance when it is in use

5. To minimise harmful emissions and maximise efficiency, use a DEFRA-approved stove – ideally one of the latest Ecodesign models - and wood fuel that has been properly dried.

Malcolm added: “Woodburners are a popular source of heat during the winter but it’s important to remember they are a heating system and should be treated as such. Just as you should with a boiler, the appliance should be regularly serviced with any repairs made by an accredited technician.

“Don’t try to fix it yourself as you risk compromising on safety and spending even more money if the device is damaged even further.”

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