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Air pollution and domestic burning

Show the air you care

Over the years, there has been an increase in the use of wood burning stoves and open fires. Wood burning stoves and coal fires are the single largest source of the pollutant particulate matter (PM2.5). The emissions produced from this source, particularly the tiny particles PM2.5, have a negative effect on the air quality causing the air to be harmful to health.

When wood is burned, it creates smoke that releases harmful particulate matter into the air we breathe. Particulate matter is dangerous because its small particle size means it can get into our lungs and even pass into our bloodstream The range of health impacts include breathing difficulties, such as asthma attacks, and contributes to other health conditions including heart disease and stroke. 

This pollutant has been identified by the World Health Organisation as the most harmful to human health because it can reach every organ in the body.

Emissions of PM2.5 from domestic wood burning increased by 35 per cent between 2010 and 2020, to represent 17 per cent of total PM2.5 emissions in 2020.This compares with road transport contributing 13 per cent of PM2.5 emissions. In short, wood burning is a greater source of pollution than older vehicles when it comes to particulate matter.

Therefore, it is important that actions to reduce emissions from wood burning stoves, coal fires, open fires and all household burning are implemented.

Top tips

  1. Be aware of local Smoke Control Areas
  2. Only burn dry (moisture content of 20% or lower), seasoned wood or Ready to Burn smokeless solid fuel in open fireplaces and stove. Don’t burn waste or treated wood – it’s toxic to you and the environment 
  3. Sweep chimneys regularly and maintain stoves
  4. Install a CO2 monitor to alert you to dangerous fumes
  5. Avoid blackened glass and unburned wood or charcoal left after the fire goes out – these are signs of poor burning, causing more pollution and wasting fuel
  6. Bonfire Night celebrations are a significant source of air pollution, so please consider attending an organised display. This will result in fewer emissions than lots of smaller garden events

What can you do

  • Avoid having bonfires in order to burn waste, regardless of whether it is a garden, allotment or household waste
  • Burning items or contaminated fuel such as painted or preserved wood, plastics and rubber should be avoided as they will lead to higher emissions and the release of toxic pollutants
  • Only burn dry, well-seasoned wood or smokeless fuel on your stove or open fire to reduce harmful air pollution. Wood should be dry with a low moisture content to prevent causing unnecessary smoke. Using dry wood significantly reduces harmful emissions and it actually produces more heat
  • You can make a big difference to air quality by maintaining your stove or open fire, sweeping your chimney regularly and using the right fuel
  • Purchase your stove from an approved retailer and make sure it is installed professionally. Stoves are required by legislation to be Ecodesign compliant. More information can be obtained from HETAS Approved Retailers. 
  • Read Defra' guide to wood burning stoves and open fires for further advice
Fuel for thought
Ready to burn

Burning right by the legislation

  • There are different solid fuels available for sale. The choice of solid fuel will depend on your appliance and if you live in a smoke control area. “Show the Air You Care” by making the right choice – small changes can help provide burning benefits
  • Look out for the Government approved ‘Ready to Burn’ logo when buying small bags of firewood and solid fuel briquettes. Burning low moisture content wood burns more efficiently, with less harmful smoke and air pollution. It’s also a better option for stoves, fireplaces and chimneys, and reduces fuel and maintenance costs
  • The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 places restrictions on the sale of firewood, manufactured solid fuels and coal sold for combustion in domestic premises. The sale of ‘wet’ wood is now banned in the UK
  • In England it is now illegal for businesses, including Approved Coal Merchants, to sell house coal (also known as bituminous coal) for burning at home. If you currently burn coal at home, you should consider switching to smokeless manufactured solid fuel (MSF). The MSF must also be certified as ‘Ready to Burn’ so as to confirm that they meet the sulphur and smoke emission limits.
  • Firewood sold in small quantities (less than 2 cubic metres) must be certified by the Ready to Burn Scheme and the certification details and scheme logo must be attached to the packaging and clearly displayed at the point of sale

Watch what you burn

  • Only burn dry, well-seasoned wood or smokeless fuel on your stove, open fire or barbecue to reduce harmful air pollution. Using dry wood significantly reduces harmful emissions and it actually produces more heat. HETAS have produced information on Cleaner Choice products.
  • Maintaining your stove or open fire, sweeping your chimney regularly and using the right fuel can make a big difference to our air quality
  • Purchase your stove from an approved retailer and make sure it is installed professionally. Stoves that are sold from 01 January need to be ecodesign ready. Further information can be obtained from the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) website
  • Smoke Control Areas are in existence in some areas of Crewe, Wilmslow, Handforth and Disley in order to control the types of fuel that can be burnt on heating appliances. The aim is to prevent air pollution that affects the environment and can have a serious impact on health
  • Only smokeless fuels (anthracite, semi-anthracite, electricity, gas and low volatile steam coal) can be burnt on heating appliances within Smoke Control Areas, unless the particular appliance has been approved by Defra
  • Read Defra's guide to wood burning stoves and open fires for further advice
Fuel for thought

Chimney Pots

Do you live in a Smoke Control Area?

  • Smoke Control Areas are areas set by Local Authority where you can’t emit smoke from a chimney unless you are burning authorised, smokeless fuel or using an exempt appliance. Where a person breaks this rule, they can be fined
  • Smoke Control Areas are in existence in some areas of Crewe, Wilmslow, Handforth and Disley in order to control the types of fuel that can be burnt on heating appliances. The aim is to prevent air pollution that affects the environment and can have a serious impact on health
  • Only smokeless fuels (anthracite, semi-anthracite, electricity, gas and low volatile steam coal) can be burnt on heating appliances within Smoke Control Areas, unless the particular appliance has been approved by Defra

Further information

  • Defra's Burn Better, Breathe Better campaign website
  • The Ready to Burn website provides information on the Government's approved scheme
  • Burnright is an independent, grass roots campaign – run by chimney sweeps for the wider benefit of everyone, including those who don’t even have a solid fuel appliance.
  • HETAS is a not for profit organisation working in the wood burning and biomass sector to improve both safety and air quality. They run certification schemes for installers, retailers (over 200 approved retailers registered, the largest list in the UK), chimney sweeps and servicing technicians. HETAS also administers the smoke control fuels and appliance register for Defra.
  • The Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) website provides information on Ecodesign stoves and approved retailers
  • What is air pollution like near me? Check our monthly raw monitoring data
  • The UK emission maps allows you to explore and interrogate emissions data for the UK
  • Smoke control areas - information on Smoke Controlled Areas in Cheshire East 

Page last reviewed: 28 November 2023