Open fires and wood-burning stoves

Guidance on reducing the pollution caused by your open fire or wood-burning stove.

Open fires and wood-burning stoves have risen in popularity over recent years. This means we now see more smoke from chimneys, which has a negative effect on air quality. This can cause breathing problems such as asthma attacks and contribute to other health conditions.

Woking borough is not a smoke-control area, so you are able to use the heating fuel and equipment of your choice.

To help reduce pollution and any negative health affects associated with smoke, we recommend that you use cleaner fuels and appliances which have been installed by a competent person.

If you need to burn solid fuels to heat your home, there are ways you can reduce pollution and health impacts.

We recommend taking the following steps:

  • consider burning less
  • buy 'ready to burn' fuel
  • season freshly chopped wood before burning
  • if you use house coal, use approved smokeless fuels instead, such as anthracite or smokeless coals
  • do not burn treated waste wood, such as old furniture, or household rubbish
  • maintain and service your stove annually
  • get your chimney swept twice a year
  • buy new equipment that is suitable for use in a smoke-control area – these are called ‘exempt appliances’. This minimises the amount of air pollution

For more guidance, watch the Surrey Air Alliance advice on wood burning stoves - YouTube.

Advice for fuel manufacturers and suppliers

The sale of domestic solid fuel in England is regulated under The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 - Legislation.gov.uk.

Traditional house coals, manufactured solid fuels (MSF) and wood sold for domestic use must meet the requirements.

This legislation dictates the following:

  • wood sold in quantities smaller than two metres cubed must be sold ‘ready to burn’ with below 20% moisture
  • wood sold in quantities larger than two metres cubed may be sold above 20% moisture, with a specific note detailing the process of seasoning the wood to 20% moisture
  • manufactured solid fuels must fit the set requirements to be considered ‘ready to burn’. These relate to sulphur content and smoke emissions
  • bituminous coal cannot be supplied unless in special circumstances