UK households who have log burners face “criminal records” and have been reminded “the rules are clear”. Under the Labour Party government, households who are trying to keep warm amid the winter months could face strict penalties.
A spokesperson for Arbtech said in a warning to UK households with log burners: “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.
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“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.”
The UK government’s Environmental Improvement Plan says: “The UK Government recognises that some households are reliant on solid fuel burning as a primary source for heating, hot water and cooking, with this in mind government is not seeking to ban burning.”
In Scotland specifically, Scottish Government’s New Build Heat Standard that came into force in April 2024 says: “There is no blanket ban on solid fuel burning stoves. These can continue to be used in existing buildings.”
As of 8 November, the Scottish Government has said that wood burning stoves can be installed in new homes. However, gas and oil boilers are still banned as a main heating system. But if you live in a smoke control area, new wood burners can’t emit more than 3g of smoke per hour.
You must use an approved fuel, which varies depending on where in the UK you live.