The Clean Air Strategy and How it Affects You

The health of our communities hinges on the health of our environment. That means clean air, drinking water and safe streets. But what does it mean to you if the government is cracking down on wood burning stoves? We’ll find out why the Clean Air Strategy is being rolled out in this article, what it means for your wood burning stove and how it will improve air quality in your town or city.

What is the Clean Air Strategy?

The Clean Air Strategy is a plan implemented by the UK government to tackle to growing air pollution crisis. At present many UK cities breach the air quality limits and require intervention in order to protect the local communities.

The government have adopted legally-binding international targets to drastically reduce the emissions of five of the most damaging pollutants. These are: ammonia, fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds. The targets are dated 2020 and 2030 and are set by the World Health Organisation.

Why are wood burning stoves being targeted?

Over 35% of the UK’s fine particulate matter is caused by open fires and older wood burning stoves. That’s more than diesel vans and cars or petrol cars and motorcycles.

Older wood burning stoves are not as efficient at burning their fuel source as newer models that are Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) Ecodesign approved. The SIA Ecodesign stoves produce 90% fewer emissions than an open fire and 80% fewer than a 10 year old wood burner.

What does the Clean Air Strategy mean for my wood burning stove?

The Clean Air Strategy means that from 2020 the UK government will only allow the sale of cleaner, greener stoves. Smokeless fuels will also come under standardised testing to meet the minimum requirements to be considered ‘clean burning’. Sale of the most polluting solid fuels will also be prohibited with rules coming into force over a number of years so that consumers and the industry can adapt over time.

In smoke control areas, there are likely to be rules put in place regarding wood burning stoves. Outside of urban areas, restrictions are far less likely. You will not have to remove your wood burning stove but smokeless fuels may become mandatory.

How to reduce the impact of your stove

If you want to reduce the impact of your stove or open fire, only burn wood that is dry or cured and use smokeless fuels as opposed to old fashioned coal. You can also bring the burner up to temperature quicker by leaving the air controls open for longer. Briquettes of waste wood are also a brilliant innovation with better burning properties and higher temperatures achieved.

Enviro-Flame supply a wide range of SIA Ecodesign approved wood burning stoves as well as gas fireplaces, outdoor garden fires, Furanflex linings, fireplace surrounds and many more services. We’re happy to discuss your new or existing fireplace and enhance it with aesthetic and practical upgrades. For more information about any of our products or to talk to an expert about how we are adapting to the Clean Air Strategy, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We’re the leading fireplace suppliers in London.