The BBC Morning Live programme on 22nd October featured a balanced and informative look at domestic wood burning, underlining one clear message: how and what we burn matters most.
Putting the “staggering” figure into perspective
During the piece, a spokesperson from campaign group Mums for Lungs described as “staggering” the finding from a Freedom of Information request that documents that 9,274 complaints had been made in England about wood burning smoke within Smoke Control Areas, and that a total of 24 fines have been issued in the year Sept 2024 to Aug 2025.
The SIA has long lobbied for stronger enforcement of smoke control area rules. The difference between 9,274 complaints and 24 fines could suggest a lack of enforcement, but it should also be noted that bonfires and outdoor burning may also have been a trigger for the Smoke Control Area complaints, as well as open fires, older technology and poor burning practices.
To put this in context, there are around 25.2 million dwellings in England. Even if we take the higher BBC estimate that 10% of homes use a wood burner (around 2.5 million households, though the SIA’s own estimate is closer to 1.9 million), 9,274 complaints is a very small percentage of complaints arising from a very popular practice.
Far from suggesting a widespread issue, the difference between the complaints made and the fines issued, may well be a result of ongoing education and increasing awareness among users of how to burn wood well.
Key best practice messages from the programme
The broadcast also featured valuable, practical advice on how to burn wood correctly, echoing the Stove Industry Association’s own guidance and the messages promoted through Defra’s Burn Better campaign.
Among the key points reinforced in the film:
- Use a modern, Ecodesign-compliant stove: As SIA Vice Chair Hugh Wells explained, today’s stoves are precision-engineered to burn both the wood and the smoke it produces, dramatically reducing particulate emissions compared with older appliances and open fires.
- Choose the right fuel: Dr Amanda Lea-Langtonfrom the University of Manchester highlighted that wood with more than 20% moisture content leads to far higher emissions. Always look for the Ready to Burn certification mark on packaged logs and kindling, confirming the fuel has a moisture content below this threshold.
- Season your own logs properly: If sourcing your own wood, it should bestored in a well-ventilated, covered space for at least 18 months to two years until its moisture content drops below 20%. Using a moisture meter, readily available online or from stove retailers, is the simplest way to check.
- Maintain your stove and chimney: Regular sweeping and servicing ensure safe, efficient combustion and help avoid blockages or smoke leakage. Your local sweep is well placed to advise on how to use your stove optimally.
- Burn well: Always operate the stove with a lively flame and according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Slumbering or closing-down the air too much can cause incomplete combustion and unnecessary smoke.
Working together for cleaner air
As noted in the programme, poor burning practices and wet fuel use are what give wood burning a bad name. The SIA strongly supports greater enforcement in smoke control areas — not to penalise responsible users, but to prevent the minority who burn the wrong fuels on old or open appliances from undermining everyone else’s efforts.
The flexibility a wood burning stove gives users to heat their home as they see fit, and to enjoy the security of being able to heat their home without relying on electricity or fossil fuels such as gas, should not be underestimated, but use of the very latest appliances should be encouraged. A replacement programme in Norway, where 25% of old appliances were replaced with newer models, resulted in air quality targets being met.
Responsible wood burning remains part of a low-carbon, resilient future
Precision engineered, modern stoves are far removed from the smoky open fires of the past. They offer an efficient, renewable heating option that supports the UK’s domestic fuel supply chain and provides important energy security and resilience, particularly in off-grid and rural homes.
The BBC Morning Live segment served as a timely reminder that best practice use, modern technology, and correct fuel choice are key to keeping emissions low and enjoying wood burning responsibly.
For more tips on using your stove efficiently and safely and the benefits of modern, Ecodesign compliant stoves, visit www.stoveindustryassociation.org
