Brits are being warned that lighting their log burners could lead to £300 fines and even a criminal record due to strict UK emission regulations.
While keeping warm is important, excessive emissions could have serious environmental consequences, and households could face heavy fines for non-compliance with government regulations.
So ecology experts at Arbtech are urging homeowners to be mindful of their log burner usage as they could pay a heavy price to keep warm.
An estimated 1.5 million Brits own log burners, even though the government banned the sale of house coal and wet wood in England in 2021 to reduce emissions and promote greener alternatives.
Under these regulations, the permissible smoke emissions from new stoves decreased from 5g to 3g per hour.
Households that fail to comply with clean air regulations risk facing hefty fines and even criminal convictions.
Ecology experts at Arbtech recommend using certified fire logs and regularly inspecting the stove’s glass for cracks or signs of damage to ensure safe and legal operation.
In England, local authorities can issue fines starting at £175 for those who breach these regulations, with penalties reaching up to £300.
Using unauthorised fuel in a non-Defra-exempt appliance could result in fines of up to £1,000.
And for repeat offenders, cases taken to court could lead to penalties as high as £5,000.
A spokesperson for Arbtech said: “As the colder months set in, many people will turn to their log burners to keep warm and save money on energy bills, but it’s vital to understand the latest clean air regulations.
“Failing to meet these standards could lead to significant fines or even a criminal record, yet many log burner owners remain unaware of the potential risks.
“The rules are clear: only compliant stoves and appropriate materials should be used.
“Burning the wrong fuels or using damaged equipment, like stoves with cracked glass, can lead to dangerous emissions and hefty penalties.
“To avoid these issues, we encourage everyone to check their burners meet the required standards and switch to eco-friendly alternatives where possible.”
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