Building Regulations On Log Burner Ventilation

There are many reasons people want to get a wood burning stove for their home. For starters, they represent a cost-effective and efficient means of warming a room. But throw in the attractively rustic appearance of many of the stoves available, plus the warm glow we all get from a real fire, and it’s not hard to see why they’re an increasingly popular choice.

But you can’t just buy one and start burning whatever you like in it, because there are actually a number of regulations surrounding their use. Some of those are to do with protecting the environment, while others relate to keeping users safe in their own homes.

As rising energy bills encourage more and more people to turn to log burners to warm their homes, we thought it would be a good time to review some of the most important regulations covering their use.

Ventilation

The regulations concerning ventilation requirements are quite complex, and are going to be affected by the age and construction of your property. The details are covered by Building Regulations, and are contained within Approved Document F.

Basically, if your home has air permeability (a measure of air flow) of 5m3 or more (this is most likely to apply to homes built before 1980 that have not been renovated) and your appliance’s output is 5kW or less, you are unlikely to require further ventilation.

When installing a new wood burning stove, you need to know whether your home will need extra ventilation. If you use a HETAS registered installer, they will be able to determine whether or not this will be the case, and once the installation has been completed, they will issue you with a certificate of compliance.

If you want to install a new stove yourself, you need to be particularly careful, because if you fail to comply with regulations you could face penalties. You should advise your local Building Control before starting work and they will need to inspect what you have done once the work has been completed.

Ecodesign stoves

From 1st January 2022, the only room heater appliances that burn solid fuel and can be sold in the UK are those that have been independently tested to ensure they meet efficiency and emission limit provisions. If you own a stove that predates these rules, you can go on using it, as long as you’re meeting all the other regulations.

What you can and can’t burn 

From 1st May 2023, the sale of wet logs and traditional house coal will be banned in the UK. Anything you burn in your stove should be certified ‘ready to burn’ (RTB), which means that it has a moisture content of less than 20%. You can be fined up to £1000 if you burn unauthorised fuel without an exempt appliance.

 

Here at KG Smith & Son, we’re leading suppliers of ‘ready to burn’ fuel ideal for your wood burners, with fast and free nationwide delivery always available. From our recycled heat logs and South African sun-dried firewood to our environmentally-friendly wood briquettes, you’ll find the perfect fuel to keep your home warm and toasty all year round.

You can find out more about and even buy top-quality wood burning and multi fuel stoves at our sister company UK Stoves.

We’re always here to help by phone or email if you need any more advice or information, otherwise you can place your order online now.