UK households who have a log burner in lounge face £1,000 fines

According to gov.uk, numerous parts of the UK fall under smoke control areas and means that releasing smoke from a chimney is prohibited and only authorised fuel can be burned, unless an appliance approved by Defra.

Households face £1,000 fine this autumn for using the "wrong fuel" in log burners. According to gov.uk, numerous parts of the UK fall under smoke control areas and means that releasing smoke from a chimney is prohibited and only authorised fuel can be burned, unless an appliance approved by Defra.

Purchasing unauthorised fuel for use in a non-Defra-approved appliance could result in a fine of up to £1,000. 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 and low volatile steam coal.

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.

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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. To identify DEFRA-approved burners, look for specific certification labels and markings to identify a DEFRA-approved stove.

These stoves will have a clear label indicating DEFRA approval, usually found on the furnace itself or in the accompanying documentation. This label ensures the stove meets strict environmental standards. Chesneys explains: "A wood-burning stove with DEFRA approval has passed strict tests to ensure it meets high standards for emissions and efficiency.

"A DEFRA Approved stove will have a mechanical stop to prevent the stove from having the air supply reduced to a point where it will emit excessive levels of smoke. This means the stove releases fewer pollutants into the air, making it safer for the environment and your health."