UK households using their fireplace in January face being slapped with £1,000 fine

UK households using their fireplace in January face being slapped with £1,000 fine
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


UK households using their fireplace to stay warm in January face staggering £3,000 fines. UK households have been warned over financial penalties for misusing their fireplaces as we head through the winter months this year.

Official government advice warns that you could be fined up to £1,000 if you use unauthorised fuel in your fire. The advice, available on the gov.uk website, reads: "You can be fined up to £1,000 if you buy unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance that's not approved by Defra.

"If your appliance uses a chimney on the roof of a building (for example, a summer house), you can only burn authorised fuel unless it's an exempt appliance." UK householdas can contact their local council to find out if you live in a smoke control area.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Aldi brings in change to 'all' UK stores and says it'll be 'the first time'

READ MORE: Poundland brings in new rules at 800 stores in UK because 'enough is enough'

READ MORE UK faces 'six inches' of snow with England hit on 'five more dates' in January

The environmental services department will be able to help you, according to the Labour Party government's website online. A Defra-approved fireplace (which is also known as a Defra Smoke Exempt Appliance) is a wood burning stove that has been tested and certified to meet the UK government's environmental standards.

"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," the advice continues on the government website.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

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.