Start looking for an alternative to house coal
Are you still using house coal?
If you’re still using house coal to fuel your stove, it’s time to prepare and choose an alternative by 1 May 2023, as it will be illegal for businesses, including Approved Coal Merchants, to sell house coal for domestic burning in England. The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 outlaw the sale of wet wood and house coal as the most polluting fuels. Though, Approved Coal Merchants were given a two-year period ending on 30th April 2023 to continue selling loose bituminous coal direct to consumers.
As a result of the legislation, Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) implemented the Ready to Burn scheme for manufactured solid fuels (MSFs) and wood fuel. HETAS administer the scheme for MSFs and Woodsure run the scheme for wood fuel. The Ready to Burn certification marks make it easy for you to identify fuels that are suitable for immediate use, as well as help to reduce your impact on air quality and the fine particulate emissions released from heating your home.
Your coal merchant will be able to provide advice on suitable alternative fuels, including Ready to Burn MSFs. These meet certain standards for sulphur content and smoke emissions under the regulations. You will find a list of manufactured solid fuels that meet the Ready to Burn standards on the Smoke Control website, their ID code starts with MSF.
MSFs can be a good alternative to house coal as they burn more efficiently which means they are less polluting and cost effective.
You can also speak with our registered installers and approved chimney sweeps who will be able to offer you advice on a suitable fuel for your appliance and tips to help you burn better.
HETAS Advice
How to light a fire
What is the Cleaner Choice scheme?
Are you in a Smoke Control Area? (SCA)
How can I check that a supplier is certified?
Where to store firewood
Lighting a fire can sometimes be difficult and there are countless guides on the internet. Our team has pulled together the best guidance available so you can get it right first time.
In line with on-going government strategies to promote cleaner air and to better support consumer decisions in the purchase of environmentally responsible products, HETAS has launched the independent “Cleaner Choice” initiative for UK biomass and solid fuel products.
The HETAS team provide an overview of Smoke Control Areas and what this means if you’re looking to install a stove in an SCA.
Finding your local certified fuel supplier couldn’t be easier, our supplier search will identify you local fuel suppliers.
Should your firewood be above 20% it will need to be stored correctly in order for it to dry out. This is known as seasoning. Dry logs burn more efficiently than unseasoned green wood and reduce environmental impact. The following videos guides you through the process of storing wood to keep it dry and high quality.
