In recent years, the popularity of open fires and wood-burning stoves has increased. But did you know that millions of people’s health is harmed by air pollution brought on by smoke from burning fuel every year? This article offers straightforward advice for individuals who want to use an open fire or wood-burning stoves to lessen the negative effects on the environment and your health.
Fire Safety: Burning Less Firewood
Consider your motivation for starting a fire as well as the amount of fuel you utilise. Is a large amount of firewood required for your desired purpose? When using a supplemental heating appliance, consider burning less. The simplest method to cut money and minimise your impact is to avoid using open fires if your home is already warm enough and you don’t need to.
Under no circumstances should you burn treated waste wood, such as old furniture or fence panels and rubbish should be avoided! When burned, treated waste wood and domestic garbage can release dangerous chemicals, such as arsenic, into your home.
Buy ‘Ready to Burn’ Firewood
Here at The Green Olive Firewood Company, our fuels have been Biomass Supplier List (BSL) authorised since 2016, meaning they can be used for Renewable Heat Incentives (RHI). Our firewood and heat logs are also certified under the ‘Ready to Burn’ scheme administered by Woodsure. At our farm in West Sussex, we also have kiln drying facilities that are powered by an industrial wood-burning boiler that is eligible for the RHI. We use our leftover wood to power these kiln dryers. So, if you are wanting to burn your firewood right away, look for the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo as proof of high-quality dry wood!
Maintain Your Fire
Your stove has to be serviced and maintained regularly. By doing this it will function better and produce more heat from the fuel you burn. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using your stove or fireplace, and only burn approved fuels.
Additionally, make sure that your chimney is swept at least twice a year. This is because when the fire is utilised, soot and tar accumulate in the chimney, decreasing its effectiveness and raising the possibility of chimney fires. It is preferable to engage a certified chimney sweep who can provide you with advice on safe burning techniques for your stove or open fire. Following these straightforward guidelines will help you achieve maximum effectiveness and safety while reducing smoke and carbon monoxide.
Know the Fire Burning Regulations
A smoke control area is a region where it is illegal to significantly release smoke from a chimney. If you violate this rule, you risk receiving a fine of between £175 and £300. Unless it is to be used in an exempt device, you may not purchase unlicensed fuel for use in a smoke control area. Some people might be surprised to learn that in May 2021, it was no longer permissible to burn wet wood.
As a result, aside from open fires, the only logs that can be burned in home appliances are dry logs or logs that have been kiln-dried. Dry logs used for burning must have a moisture level of under 20% and emit very little smoke. If you violate this rule, a fine of up to £1,000 may be imposed. Visit the smoke control area map to learn which areas of England have been classified as smoke control areas.
Outdoor Burning
When lighting bonfires, outdoor burners, and BBQs, be considerate of your neighbours and always take care not to create a smoky disturbance. Use the local council’s disposal programme to dispose of your garden trash, or think about composting it. Keep in mind that the majority of garden waste won’t be dry and can smoke heavily.
At The Green Olive Firewood Company, we take great pride in offering only the best service to our clients. Therefore, if you have any queries or would like more information about our firewood products or how to use them effectively and securely, please get in touch with our knowledgeable team today. Please call 0203 018 1918 or fill out our online form to reach a member of our team. To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter and Instagram!