Woodburners

Markviduka

Markviduka

Active member
Only a matter of time really before the government changed laws around woodburners. I expect there to be more and more scrutiny on them in the coming years.
There’s a lot more people who have got them now, surely it’s detrimental to environment mass production of firewood.

www.bbc.co.uk

Log burner rule change could result in £300 fines - BBC News

The tightening of regulations may lead to criminal records for those flouting them, a new policy says.
www.bbc.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk
 
Surely a fuel could be developed or attachment to the chimney to reduce or capture harmful particles or gases?
 
My wife would love one for the cosiness, but I have read so much about the pollutants that I just say a flat no.

It's very noticeable when I've been out walking the dog this winter just how many neighbours have them... And how many are burning damp wood and plastics too. It stinks and seems to hang in the air.
 
jeff_potato said:
My wife would love one for the cosiness, but I have read so much about the pollutants that I just say a flat no.

It's very noticeable when I've been out walking the dog this winter just how many neighbours have them... And how many are burning damp wood and plastics too. It stinks and seems to hang in the air.
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I really doubt people are burning plastics mate, it would likely kill them and the ash / residue would be highly toxic and add to their woes.

Probably more likely they are burning wood that has been treated, painted etc, poor quality stuff lifted from skips etc. Not that burning paint on wood would do you any good
 
Many people have no idea how to use and maintain them, even fewer will actively get their flue swept or maintain any certifications.

Using damp wood and other such treated materials can cause a build up of acid to eat the flue lining and potentially let harmful gasses pass into the upper floors.

Something does need to be done to ensure those with stoves are suitably maintained, similar to boilers.
 
We've had our multi-fuel stove since 2013 and in the last two years have witnessed a huge rise in seasoned hardwood logs and smokeless fuel. We have burnt greenwood and pallets in the past but it's a false economy and can result in chimney fires. Pine wood gives off a sap that sticks to the chimney and again is highly flammable.

Burning anything with paint or that's been chemically treated is just mad.

Getting your chimney swept regularly is highly recommended.
 
Tryasize10 said:
Just to add, how and who is going to enforce this? I mean, local councils dont have the means, do they?
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Most things in law are not practically enforceable, however if becomes a legal requirement to have them maintained by a professional, with appropriate documentation then selling a house becomes a bit more difficult if you don't comply.
 
Tryasize10 said:
Just to add, how and who is going to enforce this? I mean, local councils dont have the means, do they?
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I think they will be relying on neighbours reporting it to councils and then they will monitor it over a set period.

Other than that, impossible.

Chris_Boro said:
Most things in law are not practically enforceable, however if becomes a legal requirement to have them maintained by a professional, with appropriate documentation then selling a house becomes a bit more difficult if you don't comply.
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You need documentation from a registered sweep for your home insurance.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
I think they will be relying on neighbours reporting it to councils and then they will monitor it over a set period.

Other than that, impossible.



You need documentation from a registered sweep for your home insurance.
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But it's not a legal requirement, it just means your house insurance is void if it burns down your house.

But it again is something most owners of stoves will not know.
 
Chris_Boro said:
But it's not a legal requirement, it just means your house insurance is void if it burns down your house.

But it again is something most owners of stoves will not know.
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Only a fool would pay for house insurance and not have the chimney cleaned in the recommended time. Also, people will have had to have their chimneys swept prior to fitting the stove and both the fitter and sweep would explain the necessity of keeping the chimney clean and the stove working in good order.

Some people will dismiss the above.
 
I recycled an old cast iron gas stove that was uneconomicall to fix. Paid £40 for it. Ripped out the inside burner and replaced it with a biofuel burner. We have no chimney. It’s a nice feature in the room, puts out enough heat for us. I know they aren’t very cheap to run but we just use it when we don’t want to heat the whole house.
 
Norman_Conquest said:
Only a fool would pay for house insurance and not have the chimney cleaned in the recommended time. Also, people will have had to have their chimneys swept prior to fitting the stove and both the fitter and sweep would explain the necessity of keeping the chimney clean and the stove working in good order.

Some people will dismiss the above.
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I've explained this to too many people I know with wood burners for it not to be common that people do not have them regularly maintained.

Also, many people have them fit by cowboys on the cheap, my mate had his venting directly into the chimney as the fitter never bothered with the flue. Put the cowl on though.
 
Sammysmiths said:
I recycled an old cast iron gas stove that was uneconomicall to fix. Paid £40 for it. Ripped out the inside burner and replaced it with a biofuel burner. We have no chimney. It’s a nice feature in the room, puts out enough heat for us. I know they aren’t very cheap to run but we just use it when we don’t want to heat the whole house.
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I have a 5kw multifuel stove. A lot of people are chunking some coal on to keep them lit all through the night, but I'll just stick to purposely seasoned hardwood or at least kiln dried.

I've been looking at bio-ethanol stoves with a view to lobbing one in my studio/barn as they don't need a flu, but only kick out 2kw.

I may have to get at least two of them.

I'll be investing a fortune in insulation and possibly installing a fully airtight MVHR (Mechanical Ventillation with Heat Recovery) over the next few years.

The house is about 380 years old and some joker previous owner put cement render over the sandstone rear of the property.

I'll have to get that stripped off and either replaced with lime render or repoint the original lime mortar allowing the walls to breath and dispel any condensation.

Old houses were built with holes all over them which acted as a natural positive input ventilation system.

I'm not sure woodburners are a good idea in sealed airtight new builds.
 
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Tryasize10 said:
I really doubt people are burning plastics mate, it would likely kill them and the ash / residue would be highly toxic and add to their woes.



Probably more likely they are burning wood that has been treated, painted etc, poor quality stuff lifted from skips etc. Not that burning paint on wood would do you any good
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This reminds of someone struggling with a rizla while making a joint so they sellotaped it up.
 
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Same rules apply here in California but people burn wood, not only that stores sell it. I’m not too sure how you enforce it but then again there’s so many laws in western countries that are never enforced. Meanwhile in Asia….anything goes.
 
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Expat Smoggie said:
Same rules apply here in California but people burn wood, not only that stores sell it. I’m not too sure how you enforce it but then again there’s so many laws in western countries that are never enforced. Meanwhile in Asia….anything goes.
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Surely it's as simple as you ban new sales of wood burners. That would help massively.
 
Some people are off grid and the efficiency of a burner is better than an open fire.

Surprising how many dont have access to gas too and electric only heating isn't cheap either.

if your only source of heat is a burner and it breaks then you'd end up with issues.
 
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