DEFRA, The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has called for evidence on the UK’s use of solid fuels and the burning of wet wood for heating homes across the country. The objective of this is to further help control and tackle pollution and harmful emissions from burning solid fuel.
In a recent article we did outline how the Mayor of London is encouraging people to use a more efficient stoves, and only burn correctly seasoned wood.
The focus towards efficient burning of wood is great news for us, as manufacturers of high efficient wood burning stoves. It is also great for the environment too, where by educating consumers about the efficiencies that can be achieved through burning correctly seasoned wood, in a high efficiency stove, along with the corresponding environmental and financial benefits.
The hopeful outcome from the DEFRA fact finding project, should highlight potential changes up for consideration, such as focusing on curbing soot and smoke that contribute to air pollution, and ensuring domestic burning can still play a part in future heating policy.
Outcomes from the project will help shape the Governments upcoming Clean Air Strategy, which will look at other things like introducing sulphur limits on all smokeless solid fuels, and encouraging an end to house coal. The Government will also look at ways to encourage a switch from wet to dry wood as well as the possibility of handling new powers to local authorities in cases of smoke offences”.
Improving UK Air Quality:
While the air quality in the UK has improved in recent decades, domestic burning of house coal, smokeless solid fuels and wood are the single largest contributors of harmful particulate matter (PM) emissions, which accounts for around 40% of total UK PM2.5 emissions in 2015.
The Environment Minister, Therese Coffey recently said:
“We must be mindful that pollution is about more than just transport. Poor air quality affects public health, the economy, and the environment, which is why we are determined to do more. However, if we make the switch to burning cleaner domestic fuel, we can continue to enjoy burning wood and smokeless coal in stoves and fires in our homes”
Educating The End User:
We have mentioned time and again we need to educate the end user, when it comes to burning correctly seasoned wood and opting for a high efficiency stove. DEFRA agrees that there is a lack of awareness among end users, surrounding the health effects of burning solid fuel and the cleaner alternatives. It is encouraging to see that the Government are now seeking to partner with the heating industry on building awareness via campaigns such as the “Ready To Burn” initiative.
What Charlton & Jenrick Are Doing:
Apart from investing a huge amount of time in developing our high efficiency Ecodesign Stoves. We have also invested a great deal of time in raising awareness and highlighting the benefits of using such, and the benefits of burning correctly seasoned wood. Below are just a few recent articles, which highlight what we have been doing, to promote cleaner burning:
5 Woods for your Stove
The Dangers of Burning Unseasoned Wood
Energy Labelling
Improving Inside Air Quality
Benefits of a moisture meter
Stamping out wet wood
