No, wood burners are not banned. What has changed is the standard a new appliance must meet, and the fuel you are allowed to burn in it.
Every winter the question comes back around: are wood burners about to be banned? It is worth saying plainly that they are not. What has changed, and changed for the better, is the efficiency standard that a new stove must meet and the quality of fuel you are allowed to put in it.
Since January 2022 every new stove sold in the UK must meet the Ecodesign standard. An Ecodesign appliance burns considerably cleaner than a stove built twenty years ago, producing far less particulate matter for the same heat output.
Smoke control areas
Much of the Thames Valley, including parts of Windsor, Slough and the London-facing boroughs, sits inside a smoke control area. Inside one of these areas you may only burn authorised fuel, or burn any fuel in a DEFRA exempt appliance.
In practice this rarely limits your choice. Most quality stoves on our showroom floor are both Ecodesign compliant and DEFRA exempt, which means they are legal to use anywhere in the country.
Fuel rules that do apply
The tighter rules are around fuel rather than appliances. In England you may no longer buy:
- Wet wood in volumes under two cubic metres, unless it is sold with instructions to season it before burning
- Traditional bituminous house coal for domestic use
- Manufactured solid fuels with a high sulphur content
What this means for you
If you already own an older stove you can keep using it. If you are replacing one, a modern Ecodesign appliance will burn less wood, throw out more usable heat and coat your glass far less quickly.
Our surveyor will confirm whether your address falls inside a smoke control area and specify an appliance that is legal, efficient and correctly sized for the room.
Talk it through
Free HETAS survey, fixed written quote.
Our surveyor will measure your chimney, hearth and room, then confirm exactly what your property needs.
