Did you Know?
A new DEFRA approved log-burner can increase the value of your property by 5% to 15%!
Not only will a new installation reduce your energy bills, but they look fantastic too.
The Government are NOT planning on banning log-burners.
This is a quote from the HETAS website: The government has released their new Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, and wood burning is one of the areas of focus. Headlines have picked this up, questioning whether using a log burner will be banned – but this is not mentioned at all in the EIP25.
Labour is not banning wood burners and there are no new wood burner rules for 2025.
If you choose a stove (wood-burning or multi-fuel) OVER 5kw, you WILL need a dedicated air-vent installed into the room. The air-vent needs to be a certain type that has to open 24/7. This can be counterproductive as it will allow cold air into the room. So you have an appliance to warm the room, and then let cold air into the room….unless it’s installed with a direct air feed into the back of the stove.
If you burn wood with a moisture content of more than 20% you can create creosote! This is highly flammable, and your stove is not working efficiently. Look for the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo.
Not sweeping your chimney to reduce the build up of soot deposits can increase the likelihood of a chimney fire.
If you choose a multi-fuel stove, you will have the option to burn wood as well as smokeless fuel. Smokeless fuel burns longer and hotter than wood, but remember – DO NOT MIX THE TWO TOGETHER!
If you live in a ‘Smoke Controlled Area’ you are Not permitted to burn wood – unless your appliance is DEFRA approved.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Regulations & Legalities
Do I need planning permission?
No. Most installations do not require planning permission. You only need it if you live in a listed building or want a very tall, visible external flue.
Can I install it myself?
Technically yes, but it is highly discouraged. You must submit a costly application to your local Building Control before starting. Hiring a HETAS-certified installer bypasses this paperwork entirely.
What is a Smoke Control Area?
It is a legal zone covering most of Leicester where you cannot emit smoke from a chimney. You must buy a DEFRA-exempt stove to legally burn wood here.
What is Ecodesign Ready?
It is a mandatory law for all new stoves. These stoves burn fuel highly efficiently, reducing particulate emissions by up to 90% compared to open fires.
2. Chimneys & Flues
Can I have a stove without a chimney?
Yes. Installers can fit a twin-wall flue system. This pipe goes through your roof or an external wall to mimic a chimney.
Do I need to line my existing chimney?
Almost always. Old brick chimneys leak smoke and tar. A stainless steel flexible flue liner ensures safety and improves stove efficiency.
How often must I sweep the chimney?
At least once a year. If you burn wood daily throughout winter, twice a year is safer. Keep receipts to validate your home insurance.
3. Cost & Fuel
How much does installation cost?
Usually between £2,000 and £4,000 total. This price includes the stove itself, the flue liner, materials, and professional labour.
What wood can I burn?
Only dry wood with under 20% moisture. Look for the “Ready to Burn” logo. Burning wet wood creates dangerous tar build-up and excessive smoke.
Can I burn house coal?
No. Burning traditional house coal in domestic properties is banned in the UK. You can only burn authorised smokeless fuels or dry wood.
4. Practicalities & Maintenance
How do I choose the right size stove?
Measure your room in metres: length x width x height, then divide by 14. This gives you the rough kilowatt (kW) output required
Does it require a lot of cleaning?
Yes. You must empty the ashpan regularly, clean the glass with specialist cleaner or damp newspaper and ash, and check the door seals annually.
Will it heat my whole house?
No. Stoves are designed for space-heating a single room. While heat will spill into hallways, it rarely replaces a central heating system completely.