Burning ambitions

MAKE SURE YOU’RE USING THE MOST EFFICIENT FUELS POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENT- BACKED READY TO BURN CERTIFICATION MARK

After the hubbub of the party season, the new year is often a time to reflect, to be kind to yourself and to make plans for the year ahead. During this quiet time, it’s natural to want to hibernate – to curl up in front of the soft glow of a wood-burner or multi-fuel burner and to take it easy. However, not all fuels burn the same and part of creating the ideal ambience is knowing what fuels are best to burn safely and efficiently without impacting the environment and surrounding air quality.

To make life easier, lookout for wood or manufactured solid fuels that carry the ‘Ready To Burn’ certification mark. This means they’ve been certified as suitable for immediate use and the wood doesn’t need to be dried out before burning. Ready To Burn wood fuel gives a better burn because it’s proven to have a 20% lower moisture content, meaning it creates less smoke than wetter wood, which helps to reduce pollution.

Ready To Burn solid fuels also meet smoke emissions and sulphur content standards.

From this year, Ready To Burn fuels are even easier to find because the scheme is backed by DEFRA as part of The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020. The law now restricts the sale of wet wood sold in volumes under 2m³, which is the equivalent of about two dumpy bags. And for those who buy wood fuel in bulk, suppliers must now provide an advisory notice that the wood requires further drying before use.

So as you snuggle up in front of the fire, knowing the fuel you’re burning is the most appropriate for the environment should give you that warm feeling, both inside and out.

To find a trusted Ready To Burn wood fuel supplier, visit readytoburn.org.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to have your log burners and chimneys checked regularly in order to get the best from your fuel. Find a local HETAS Registered professional at hetas.co.uk.