Log burner mistake could see you being slapped with £300 fine after law change

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UK households could face a hefty £300 fine for lighting their log burners this winter due to a law change.

The government has reduced the amount of smoke that new stoves can emit from 5g per hour to just 3g. This comes after the government banned the sale of house coal and wet wood last year, encouraging the use of greener alternatives.

An estimated 1.5 million households now own a log burner and will soon be firing it up as the weather turns colder, YorkshireLive reports. But experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk are urging people to be cautious as they could risk a £300 fine or criminal conviction if clean air regulations aren't followed correctly.

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Brits are urged to use certified fire logs in their burners and to monitor the stove's glass for any small cracks or excess damage. Burning traditional house coal or wet wood is a major source of the pollutant PM2.5 – tiny particles which can enter the bloodstream and lodge in lungs and other organs. This pollutant has been identified by the World Health Organisation as the most serious air pollutant for human health.

Folks with log burners and open fires can still use them, but they must now buy cleaner alternative fuels like dry wood and manufactured solid fuels. These produce less smoke and more heat, reducing emissions by up to 50%.

John Cutts, an expert at MeandMyGlass.co.uk, warned: "Many log burner owners are unaware of the recent implications of clean air regulations. If they're not followed correctly, thousands of Brits could face large fines and even a criminal conviction."

He added: "The regulations state that owners are to face penalties for using wood-burning stoves which don't meet the UK's standard for emissions." and "Not only do people have to be aware of the type of log burner they're using, but also the material being burned on it. Using the wrong log burner and materials will result in a hefty penalty."

Finally, he advised: "The regulations encourage owners to switch to more eco-friendly alternatives, so we strongly advise all log burner owners to be cautious of the materials they're using on the stove."

"That's why it's important to make sure that the materials being used adhere to the guidelines and that any stoves with glass doors are still fit to function without any cracks that could lead to fumes escaping from the burner."

* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up Daily Star's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]

• World Health Organisation
• Fire

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