Good wood burning practice

Buried in a recent 431-page Government annual health report, in one short paragraph, Sir Chris Whitty issues warnings about the dangers of poor wood-burning practices. Good wood burning practice comes down to fuel choice and it’s impact on air quality

In the report, Whitty’s figure of 2,950 g/MWh of PM2.5 emissions is based on ‘wood burned in an open fire’ and comes with the disclaimer that air pollution will depend on the ‘age of the appliance, how it is maintained and used, and whether the wood fuel is wet or dry’.

It is critical that consumers understand the difference – and the importance – of choosing the right fuel and learn how to operate their wood stoves efficiently.

The rise in popularity of wood-burning stoves has sparked debate about their environmental and health impacts. With around 1.5 million UK households using them – a number that grows by 200,000 each year (Source: Stove Industry Alliance- SIA), concerns about air pollution and harmful emissions have never been more pressing.

While these concerns are valid, it’s crucial to recognise that there are responsible, clean and eco-friendly ways to enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a wood fire without contributing to air pollution and undermining efforts to reduce emissions.

The Importance of Dry, Seasoned Wood

The right type of fuel is essential. Wood that has been properly ‘seasoned’ – meaning it has been dried to a moisture content of less than 20% – burns more efficiently, produces less smoke and fewer harmful pollutants. The Woodsure Ready to Burn standard scheme provides a benchmark for ensuring that wood is properly seasoned. Burning wood that is wet or unseasoned leads to a slow, smoky burn that contributes to harmful particulate emissions. This affects air quality, particularly in urban areas.

Burning wet wood can cause dangerous particulate matter (PM2.5s and PM10s referred to in Whitty’s report), to be released into the air. These tiny particles are a significant concern for public health, as they can penetrate lungs and are linked to respiratory problems. As the UK government continues to tackle air pollution, especially in cities, using seasoned wood or eco-friendly alternatives is one of the simplest and most effective steps individuals can take to reduce their personal emissions.

Campaigns, such as Mums for Lungs, take a broad-brush approach to wood-burning that fails to consider important factors like moisture content in wood. Without this understanding, their messaging paints all wood-burning stoves with the same negative brush. This overlooks the significant difference that proper fuel and responsible burning practices can make in terms of reducing emissions.

Good wood burning practice is crucial

The UK has established Smoke Control Zones in areas with particularly high levels of air pollution. Within these zones, only approved fuels can be burned, where using non-compliant wood can result in fines. Despite these regulations, many people still burn unsuitable materials, contributing to the problem.

Many people burn waste wood, such as treated timber, painted furniture, or even garden shed scraps. While these might seem like a convenient or cost-effective fuel source, burning such materials release toxic chemicals into the air, worsening air pollution and putting the environment and health at risk.

Burn Hotter to Burn Cleaner

It’s important to burn hotter to burn cleaner. A common mistake is to burn wood at too low a temperature. When a stove or fire burns too cold, the combustion process is incomplete – leading to more smoke and particulates. The solution is simple: increase the temperature. The ideal temperature for a wood-burning stove is between 260–460°C. At this range, the stove burns efficiently, producing more heat and fewer emissions.

If you see smoke coming out of your chimney, it’s a clear indication that the fire is too cold – you’re wasting fuel – and money.

While local air quality is a critical concern, it’s also essential to remember the broader environmental context. Global CO2 emissions, particularly from oil and gas combustion, have a far greater significant impact on air quality and climate change than domestic wood-burning. In fact, using a high-quality wood fuel with a 95% lower CO2 output compared to oil or gas, represents a much cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

The future of wood-burning stoves lies in responsible usage. It’s possible to have a cosy, efficient fire without harming the environment and public health. By following best practices and making informed choices – using dry, seasoned wood (or British-made wood briquettes) and burning at higher temperatures, we can all play a part in reducing air pollution, ensuring a cleaner, healthier future for our communities.

Our Solution

One such solution is the use of cleaner, more efficient fuel sources like Land Energy’s British-made Woodlets Briquettes and Roastie-Toasties, which provide an excellent alternative to traditional wood logs. Unlike traditional kiln-dried wood, which can still release significant amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the air,Land Energy’s heat logs are designed to burn hotter, cleaner, and with less waste. These compressed, eco-friendly briquettes are made from sustainably sourced wood and have a moisture content of around 10%, far lower than the 20% often found in standard firewood. This not only results in more efficient combustion but also reduces harmful emissions, making them a healthier and more environmentally responsible choice for homeowners.

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