Domestic Wood Burners and other appliances
Domestic wood burners and other appliances
Burning wood or coal at home releases dangerous pollution called fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). This pollution is carcinogen and it can cause asthma, heart disease, cancer, and other serious problems for your lungs, heart, and brain.
Exposure to particulate air pollution can also trigger the symptoms of existing health conditions. A recent study found that 25% of PM2.5 pollution in Birmingham was a result of biomass burning.
There is no safe level of exposure to PM2.5, and long-term exposure increases the risk of early death from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Evidence suggests that in Birmingham air pollution accounts for up to 900 premature deaths per year.
Guidance
In 1985, the entirety of Birmingham was designated a Smoke Control Area under the Clean Air Act 1983. This measure was introduced to improve air quality throughout the city. As a result of this, residents are only allowed to burn in an open fireplace or an . Burning coal is not permitted in Birmingham.
Open fires and wood-burning stoves guide
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have a practical guide on the use of open fires and wood burning stoves. This guide covers:
- advice on fuel use
- maintenance of the open fire and stove
- choosing the correct appliance
- the law around smoke control areas
- outdoor burning
- the benefits arising from following these steps
Read the DEFRA's Open fires and wood-burning stoves guide
Ready to burn wood fuels
In September 2017 DEFRA and HETAS and Woodsure lunched Ready to Burn scheme. This scheme certifies wood fuels that have been properly seasoned for up to two years, meaning the wood is dry and burns more cleanly, releasing fewer harmful emissions.
BurnRight
BurnRight is a national campaign which wants to help people reduce harmful air pollution from burning wood and coal at home especially from woodburning stoves.
Led by professional chimney sweeps, who have expert knowledge about how stoves work, the fuels used, and how people operate them, BurnRight goal is to improve the way people burn fuel safely and cleanly.
Chimney sweeps see firsthand what causes pollution and how to fix it. With BurnRight, they now have the right tools and information to guide you in using your stove more efficiently, producing less smoke and fewer harmful emissions.
Page last updated: 19 June 2025