BFCMA supports cutting pollution from Household Burning

The British Flue and Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA) supports the Government action to cut pollution from household burning, announced on 21^st February.

Burning wet wood makes no sense on any level.  Freshly cut wood consists of between 60% and 80% water, so burning it before drying is like trying to burn water, producing steam and smoke but little heat.

Burning wood that has a moisture content below 20% in an open fire or stove will dramatically reduce the particulate emissions compared to wet wood. The introduction of the Woodsure Ready to Burn scheme will help consumers identify wood that has the appropriate moisture content. For those people who have access to freshly cut wood should leave logs to dry naturally. This is known as seasoning and can take between 1 and 2 years depending on the species.

The higher price of pre-dried wood can be substantially offset by greater heat produced by burning dry wood. Fewer logs are required to produce the same level of heat as illustrated in the attached infographic.

Sulphur is not only bad for the environment it can also corrode appliances and stainless steel flues. Banning household coal and capping the volume of sulphur at 2% in smokeless fuels is good news for the health of appliances and flues.

DEFRA does not plan to ban open fires or stoves. Instead DEFRA believes that banning wet wood and household coal will enable them to meet their emission reduction targets.

24-02-2020