Homes with log burners face £1,000 fines for using 'wrong fuel'
People who have log burners in their homes could be hit with a £1,000 fine this autumn and winter if they don't understand the rules. With gas and electric bills set to rise again on Tuesday, October 1, as the energy price cap jumps by 10%, many might be looking at alternatives.
It's estimated that around 1.5million Brits have wood burners in their homes. But new laws came into effect a year ago that could land people in hot water.
It's all to do with clean air regulations and what are known as smoke control areas. In these areas, the type of burner and the fuel that can be used are regulated. New laws came into effect last year that tightened the rules.
According to gov.uk, many parts of the UK are smoke control areas. This means that you cannot release smoke from a chimney and you can only burn authorised fuel, unless you use an appliance approved by Defra - also known as an ‘exempt appliance’ or ‘Defra approved appliance’.
In England you may have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if your chimney releases smoke in a smoke control area. Moreover, you can be fined up to £1,000 if you buy unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance that’s not approved by Defra.
How to find out if you live in a smoke control area
Contact your local council to find out if you live in a smoke control area. The environmental services department will be able to help you.
What you can burn in smoke control areas
In a smoke control area you can only burn fuel on the list of authorised fuels, or any of the following ‘smokeless’ fuels, unless you’re using a Defra-approved appliance:
anthracite
semi-anthracite
gas
low volatile steam coal
Exempt appliances that can burn unauthorised fuels
Unauthorised fuels, such as wood, can only be burned in exempt appliances such as some boilers, cookers and stoves. You must only use the types of fuel that the manufacturer says can be used in the appliance.
Outdoor ovens, burners and barbecues
You can use outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces or pizza ovens in smoke control areas. If your appliance uses a chimney on the roof of a building - for example, a summerhouse - you can only burn authorised fuel unless it’s an exempt appliance.
Garden bonfires
You’re allowed garden bonfires in smoke control areas, but you need to follow the rules on bonfires, Defra said.