Households in the United Kingdom are being warned they could face an immediate financial penalty for using their wood burners and log burners this January. The reminder comes after the festive period, with authorities highlighting that many parts of the country are designated as smoke control areas.
What Are the Rules in Smoke Control Areas?
In these legally defined zones, it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney. Residents can only burn authorised, smokeless fuels, unless they are using an appliance that has been officially approved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). These are known as 'exempt' or 'Defra-approved' appliances.
If your chimney releases smoke in a smoke control area in England, you can be issued with an on-the-spot penalty of between £175 and £300. A more severe fine of up to £1,000 can be imposed if you are found to have purchased unauthorised fuel for use in a non-exempt appliance.
Which Fuels Are Permitted?
The list of fuels that can be burned in a smoke control area, unless using a Defra-exempt device, is specific. The authorised 'smokeless' fuels include:
- Anthracite
- Semi-anthracite
- Gas
- Low volatile steam coal
Unauthorised fuels, such as traditional wood logs or coal, can only be legally burned in appliances that are specifically exempt. This includes certain Defra-approved boilers, cookers, and stoves. It is crucial to only use the fuel types specified by the manufacturer of your appliance.
How to Check Your Local Status and Exemptions
The responsibility for checking if you reside in a smoke control area lies with the individual. The government advises contacting your local council, specifically the environmental services department, for a definitive answer. While an online smoke control area map exists for England, the data is indicative, and confirmation from your local authority is essential.
Defra clarified the regulations, stating: "You must not buy an unauthorised fuel for use in a smoke control area unless it is to be used in an exempt appliance."
It is important to note that the rules primarily concern fixed chimneys. The use of outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces, or pizza ovens is generally permitted in smoke control areas, as are garden bonfires, provided standard bonfire rules are followed. Similarly, if an appliance uses a chimney on a building like a summerhouse, the same restrictions on authorised fuel or exempt appliances apply.
