If you use a log burner at home, the latest UK emissions data is worth understanding.

Released in February 2026, Defra’s 2024 emissions statistics (based on the UK’s National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, NAEI) show that domestic combustion emissions – including wood burning – have fallen again, continuing the sustained downward trend seen since 2018.

That matters not only for air quality, but for responsible stove owners who want to heat their homes cleanly and efficiently.

As a supplier of Woodsure Ready To Burn certified firewood, we see first-hand how appliance choice, fuel quality and everyday burning habits affect real-world performance. The national data increasingly reflects what responsible stove users have been putting into practice: dry fuel, modern Ecodesign stoves and better fire-building techniques reduce smoke and improve combustion efficiency.

In a sector that’s often debated – and often riddled with myths about log burners and wood burning – it’s important to focus on verified national data, not misleading headlines. The numbers show clear progress – and that progress reflects real change in log burning appliances, fuel standards and consumer behaviour.

That said, it’s also important to acknowledge that wood burning does contribute to particulate emissions. Poorly maintained stoves, wet fuel, older inefficient appliances and incorrect burning practices can all increase smoke output. The question isn’t whether wood burning has an impact – it does – but how that impact can be reduced responsibly.

In this article, we break down what the 2024 emissions figures actually show – and the practical steps you can take to burn wood more cleanly with lower emissions at home.

UK Domestic Wood Burning Emissions 2024 – The Key Figures Explained

According to Defra’s latest emissions estimates:

• PM2.5 emissions from domestic combustion fell by around 7% in 2024

• PM10 emissions fell by a similar margin

• Domestic combustion now accounts for 20% of total UK PM2.5 emissions

• It accounts for 11% of PM10 emissions

• Most emissions within domestic combustion come from households burning wood indoors (12% of total UK PM2.5 in 2024)

These reductions represent sustained year-on-year improvement rather than short-term variation.

Long Term Trends: How UK Wood Burning Emissions Have Changed Since 1990

Looking further back provides very useful perspective.

Since 1990:

• UK PM2.5 emissions have fallen by 75%

• UK PM10 emissions have fallen by 69%

There was a period between 2009 and 2018 when domestic combustion PM emissions rose as wood burning became more popular. Defra’s analysis attributes much of that rise to increased emissions from the burning of wood.

However, since 2018, emissions from domestic combustion have fallen by 26%.

From an industry perspective, that reduction aligns closely with:

• The introduction of Ecodesign Regulation stove standards (in force for solid fuel space heaters from 1 January 2022)

• The rollout of Ready To Burn certification (legally required for wood sold in volumes under 2m³ in England from May 2021)

• Greater consumer awareness around moisture content, airflow, and best-practice lighting (reinforced by Defra’s Burn Better guidance).

Those changes together have raised the baseline for responsible burning and contributed directly to the lowering of particulate emissions from domestic burning.

FURTHER READING: 10 ways to light an environmentally friendly log fire

Why Are UK Domestic Combustion Emissions Falling?

The UK’s air quality journey over the past two decades is one of steady, measurable progress.

Under the National Emissions Ceilings Regulations (2018), the UK committed to cutting PM2.5 emissions by 46% by 2030, compared with 2005 levels – and by 2024, the UK had already achieved a 46% reduction versus 2005.

So what’s behind this progress?

1. Cleaner Appliances: The Emergence of Ecodesign Stoves

One of the biggest changes has been in wood burning technology.

The UK Ecodesign requirements for solid fuel space heaters came into force on 1 January 2022.

Modern Ecodesign stoves are engineered to burn fuel more completely through improved airflow design and secondary combustion. In certification/industry testing summaries, modern stoves are often reported as achieving up to 90% lower particulate emissions than open fires (when used correctly and with suitable fuel).

The result? Lower emissions per appliance, alongside improved efficiency.

2. Cleaner Wood Fuel: The Ready To Burn Certification

Fuel quality has improved significantly. In England, wood fuel sold in volumes under 2 cubic metres must be Ready to Burn certified, confirming a moisture content of 20% or less.

• Selling wood for domestic use in England

The Ready To Burn certification scheme helps ensure:

• Lower moisture content

• Cleaner combustion

• Higher heat output

• Reduced smoke

• Sustainable sourcing

Wet wood creates more smoke because energy is used to evaporate water before combustion becomes efficient. Defra’s own guidance focuses heavily on dry wood and better burning to reduce harmful particle emissions.

For responsible suppliers like The Log People and consumers, this has been a major step forward.

• Buy Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs

3. Phasing Out Coal and Polluting Solid Fuels

The domestic fuel mix has also changed in the UK in recent years.

In England it is now illegal to sell traditional house coal for use in homes, and official guidance explains the restrictions and enforcement framework.
(Separate consumer guidance commonly references 1 May 2023 as the date traditional house coal sales were fully banned in England.)

• Selling domestic coal in England
• Ban on coal – here are the fuels you can use

Reducing the use of higher-polluting solid fuels supports lower particulate emissions from domestic sources.

4. Behavioural Change and Public Awareness

Public awareness around air quality has increased dramatically. More households now understand:

• The importance of seasoning or purchasing kiln dried logs

• The negative impact of overloading stoves

• The need for proper airflow

• The value of annual chimney sweeping

Defra’s Burn Better guidance includes practical steps such as using dry fuel and avoiding slumbering (low-oxygen, smouldering burns), because these behaviours increase smoke and particulate emissions.

Simple changes stove users can make when lighting a log fire – like using the top-down fire-lighting method (hardwood at the bottom, softwood in the middle, kindling at the top) – reduce smoke production and increase heat output substantially.

5. Broader National Improvements

It’s important to recognise that falling PM2.5 emissions are not solely due to domestic combustion improvements. Defra’s national summary highlights long-term reductions driven by shifts away from coal and tightening controls in transport and industry.

Domestic combustion is one part of the UK’s wider emissions picture – and overall reductions show that policy, innovation and behaviour change can work together effectively.

A Balanced Perspective

Domestic combustion still contributes to PM2.5 levels, particularly in urban areas. Continued improvement is essential. But the trajectory matters.

The UK reaching its PM2.5 reduction commitment early demonstrates:

• Regulation works

• Cleaner fuel standards matter

• Technological innovation makes a difference

• Consumer education changes outcomes

How to Burn Wood More Cleanly at Home – A Practical Guide

Should You Upgrade to an Ecodesign Stove?

Ecodesign stoves are designed to burn at higher, more consistent temperatures using improved airflow systems and secondary combustion to re-burn gases that would otherwise exit as smoke.

This leads to:

• Lower particulate emissions

• Better fuel efficiency

• More consistent heat output

• Reduced visible smoke

For households using a stove regularly, upgrading can reduce emissions and enhance fuel efficiency while improving overall performance.

• Learn more about choosing the right Ecodesign stove

Open Fires vs Modern Stoves

Open fires are considerably less efficient than modern closed appliances, with more heat lost up the chimney and less combustion control.

For households concerned about emissions and performance, open fires are generally the least efficient option. Modern closed stoves operated correctly offer significantly better combustion control and lower particulate output (often cited as up to 90% lower PM vs open fires in test summaries).

Switching to a modern Ecodesign stove is one of the most effective changes a household can make.

Use a HETAS Registered Installer

If installing or upgrading a stove, always instruct a competent installer – commonly recommended as HETAS registered in the UK stove sector. Correct stove installation affects:

• Draft performance

• Combustion efficiency

• Fire safety

• Long-term reliability

Installation quality directly influences emissions performance.

Why Woodsure Ready to Burn Firewood Makes a Measurable Difference

One of the most important developments in the UK wood fuel industry in recent years has been the introduction of the Woodsure Ready to Burn certification scheme.

Under England’s rules, wood sold in volumes under 2 cubic metres must be Ready To Burn certified – confirming moisture content of 20% or below.

For customers of The Log People, this means every order of kiln dried logs meets strict moisture requirements to ensure the firewood provided not only meets the 20% moisture content target – but beats it to make fire lighting easier with an even lower environmental impact.

• Buy Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs

What “20% Moisture Content” Really Means

The 20% moisture threshold is critical to how cleanly and efficiently your stove performs. When logs contain excess water:

• Energy is wasted evaporating moisture instead of producing usable heat

• Firebox temperatures drop, slowing combustion

• Combustion becomes incomplete, meaning more unburnt gases are released

• Smoke output increases, contributing to higher emissions

In simple terms, wet wood burns poorly. You use more fuel, generate less heat, and produce more smoke.

Ultimately, the solution is to choose kiln dried logs that are certified as Ready To Burn to eliminate uncertainty.

How to Burn Smarter, Not Harder: Practical Ways to Lower Emissions

Cleaner appliances and Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs provide the foundation for lowering emissions. However, everyday burning habits and fire lighting technique make a significant difference.

Here are some practical steps that reduce emissions and improve fire lighting efficiency:

Use the Top Down Fire Lighting Method

If you’ve always built your fire by starting with kindling adding logs as the temperature starts to rise, it might be time to rethink your technique. The top down fire lighting method (sometimes called the Scandinavian fire lighting method) is widely regarded as the cleanest and most efficient way to light a log burner or open fire.

Instead of lighting from the base and forcing flames to fight their way upwards, you build your fire in reverse and light it from the top. It might feel counterintuitive at first – but the results speak for themselves.

Follow this simple top down fire lighting method – your stove and your flue will thank you:

1. Kiln dried hardwood logs at the base
   Place your larger, denser hardwood logs at the bottom. Hardwood logs provide sustained heat once the fire is properly established and the stove is running in its clean-burn zone. A stove thermometer will indicate the optimum range

2. Kiln dried softwood logs above (laid in the opposite direction)
   Add a layer of softwood logs across the hardwood layer, positioned perpendicular to create airflow gaps. Softwood ignites more quickly at lower temperatures and helps transfer heat downward to the hardwood.

3. Kindling on top
   Arrange dry kindling in a crisscross pattern. Keep it loose enough for air to circulate freely – airflow is essential for a strong start.

4. Natural firelighters at the very top or nestled into the kindling
   Place one or two natural firelighters at the top of the stack. Avoid petroleum-based options – natural firelighters burn cleaner for longer and provide a pleasant aroma.

5. Light from above
   Light the firelighters and allow the flames to work their way downward – and enjoy the fire establishing itself naturally

   It’s actually quite a fascinating watch!

Why the Top Down Method Works So Well

When you light a fire from the bottom and build it up, the flames immediately start heating the logs above before they’re primed to burn efficiently and evenly. This results in the release of wood gases that often escape as visible smoke as the wood hasn’t reached its optimal ignition point.

With the top down fire lighting method, the process is reversed:

• The kindling burns first and trickles down to the layer below

• The softwood layer ignites next and raises the stove and flue temperature quickly

• The hardwood at the base then combusts efficiently

Because the hottest flames are at the top, the rising gases from the logs below must pass through that high-temperature zone. This means more of those gases burn off before leaving the stove.

This results in:

• Cleaner ignition – fewer false starts and charring logs due to lighting at low temperatures

• Less visible smoke – better for your chimney, your stove glass, and the external environment

• Faster temperature build – heat develops steadily and predictably

• More stable combustion – a calm, controlled burn that allows you to sit back and enjoy the heat without the hassle

TOP TIP: Treat yourself and your stove to a stove thermometer. Place it at the base of your flue and it’ll tell you when your stove has reached optimal wood burning temperatures. Think of it as a sat nav for your log burner.

Build Heat With Softwood – Sustain With Hardwood

When it comes to getting the very best performance from your stove, understanding the difference between softwood and hardwood is essential.

Hardwood is denser and usually needs a higher and more sustained firebox temperature (and a strong ember bed) to ignite cleanly and maintain stable combustion. If it’s introduced too early, before the stove is properly up to temperature, it may char and smoulder – increasing smoke and reducing heat.

AN IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: Simply placing kiln dried hardwood logs onto flames before the stove has reached optimal ignition temperatures often leads hardwood logs not combusting properly – leading to the misunderstanding that the issue is with the logs, when often it can be attributed to user error. Wood needs sufficient heat to ignite cleanly. Hardwood will only combust cleanly when stove temperatures have reached in the region of 300°C depending on airflow and conditions – often much higher with denser species such as oak.

Wood ignition temperature varies depending on moisture levels and airflow. Even with kiln dried logs, hardwood is denser and takes longer to reach full and even combustion.

If the stove temperature is too low:

• Even kiln dried logs begin to char rather than flame

• Combustion becomes slow and incomplete

• Heat output is limited

• Smoke production increases

Instead of producing strong, clean flames as it should, the fire can smoulder – which wastes fuel and reduces efficiency.

Hardwood isn’t the problem. The timing is.

The Simple Rule That Makes All the Difference

The easiest way to understand the difference between softwood and hardwood logs:

Softwood to build the fire.
Hardwood to sustain it.

Start your fire with kindling and kiln dried softwood logs to establish strong flames and a hot ember bed. Then introduce hardwood logs to maintain long-lasting, steady heat.

This approach delivers:

• Faster ignition

• Higher combustion temperatures

• Cleaner burning

• More stable heat output

• Improved overall efficiency

  Check out our range of fire lighting softwood and hardwood bundles!

Avoid Slumbering the Stove

It can be tempting to close the air vents right down once your fire is established – especially if you want it to “last longer” overnight or conserve logs.

But aggressively reducing airflow – often referred to as slumbering the stove – is one of the most common causes of poor combustion and excess smoke.

Modern Ecodesign stoves are designed to burn efficiently with adequate airflow. Restricting that airflow too much lowers combustion temperature and prevents the fire from burning cleanly.

What Happens When You Starve a Fire of Air?

Fire needs three elements to burn efficiently: fuel, heat, and oxygen. Remove oxygen, and the chemistry changes.

When airflow is reduced too aggressively:

• Combustion temperatures drop

• Logs begin to smoulder instead of flame

• More unburnt gases and particulates are released

• Stove glass blackens more quickly

• Creosote build-up increases in the flue

Instead of achieving a slow, controlled burn, you end up with incomplete combustion – which is both inefficient and higher in emissions.

Why Modern Stoves Need Airflow

Modern stoves are engineered to burn fuel at higher temperatures with carefully managed air supply. Clean burn systems, secondary combustion zones, and air wash technology all rely on sufficient oxygen flow.

When you maintain proper airflow:

• Wood gases ignite and burn off more completely

• Firebox temperatures remain stable

• Heat output is stronger and more consistent

• Emissions are significantly lower

Closing vents too far undermines the stove’s design and prevents it from operating as intended.

The Smarter Way to Control Heat From Your Log Burner

If you want longer burn times without sacrificing efficiency:

• Use kiln dried, Ready To Burn certified logs

• Establish a strong ember bed

• Add hardwood logs on a strong ember bed for sustained heat

• Reduce airflow gradually – but never to the point of extinguishing flames

You should still see active, lively flames in the firebox. A visible flame is a sign of clean combustion.

Clean Combustion Means Better Performance

Avoiding slumbering isn’t just about protecting your stove – it’s about improving its performance:

• Heat efficiency

• Fuel economy

• Glass clarity

• Chimney cleanliness

• Air quality

A well-ventilated fire burns hotter, cleaner, and more predictably.

In short: Don’t suffocate your stove. Provide it with the airflow it was designed to use – and it will reward you with better heat and lower emissions.

Refuel While the Ember Bed Is Active

One of the simplest ways to keep your fire burning cleanly and efficiently is also one of the most overlooked:

Refuel while the ember bed is still active.

When you add logs onto a strong, glowing bed of embers, they ignite quickly and cleanly. The heat is already there. The combustion conditions are already right.

Wait too long – until the stove has cooled and the embers have cooled – and ignition becomes slower and less complete. New logs may smoulder before they flame properly, increasing the likelihood of visible smoke and wasted fuel.

Refuelling onto a hot ember bed maintains the high temperatures needed to burn off wood gases efficiently. That means fewer smoke bursts, steadier heat, and cleaner combustion overall.

When it comes to kiln dried logs, it’s not the fuel. It’s the timing.

The Ideal Refuelling Window

The best time to add more logs to the fire is when:

• You still have bright red embers across the base

• Small flames are still visible

• The stove temperature remains stable

Open the air vents slightly before adding logs to boost airflow during ignition. Place the new logs onto the ember bed, close the door, and allow strong flames to re-establish before adjusting airflow back to normal operating levels.

Cleaner Burns, Better Efficiency

Refuelling at the right moment delivers:

• Faster log ignition

• Reduced smoke bursts

• More stable heat output

• Improved fuel efficiency

• Lower particulate emissions

Maintaining an active ember bed keeps your stove operating within its optimal combustion range.

In short: Don’t let the fire collapse completely before adding more logs. Keep the heat active – and your stove will burn cleaner, hotter, and more efficiently.

Only Burn Clean, Untreated Wood

Your stove is designed to burn natural, untreated wood only – nothing else.

Burning inappropriate materials doesn’t just reduce stove efficiency; it releases harmful pollutants, increases emissions, and can damage both your appliance and chimney system.

Put simply: if it isn’t clean, untreated wood, below 20% moisture, it doesn’t belong in your stove.

Never Burn These Materials

The following materials should never be used as fuel:

• Painted or varnished timber

• Pressure-treated or chemically treated wood

• MDF, chipboard, plywood, or laminate flooring

• Household waste, packaging, or plastics

While they may appear to “burn,” these materials release toxic compounds when heated.

Why These Materials Are Harmful

Manufactured or treated wood products often contain:

• Adhesives and resins

• Preservative chemicals

• Paints and sealants

• Heavy metals and bonding agents

When burned, they can produce:

• Harmful fumes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Increased particulate emissions

• Corrosive deposits inside your flue

• Excess soot and tar build-up

This not only affects air quality but can also shorten the lifespan of your stove and chimney system.

Burning household waste introduces even greater risks, including the release of plastics and synthetic materials that should never be incinerated in a domestic appliance.

The Right Fuel for Clean Combustion

Only burn:

• Clean, untreated logs, below 20% moisture

• Ready To Burn certified kiln dried firewood 

• Natural kindling and firelighters

Properly dried, untreated wood burns hotter and more completely – producing:

• Better heat output

• Lower emissions

• Less smoke

• Reduced creosote formation

Fuel quality and fuel type go hand in hand. Even the best stove cannot burn inappropriate materials cleanly. A stove is only as good as the fuel you put in it.

There’s no shortcut when it comes to responsible burning.

If it’s painted, treated, bonded, laminated, or synthetic – don’t burn it.
Stick to clean, untreated, Ready To Burn certified kiln dried logs every time.

How To Store Logs and Keep Them Dry

Even the highest quality kiln dried, Ready to Burn certified logs can lose their performance if they’re stored incorrectly.

Wood is naturally hygroscopic – which means it absorbs moisture from the surrounding air. If logs are left exposed to rain, damp ground, or stagnant air, their moisture content can rise quickly. And once moisture increases, combustion quality declines.

Proper storage isn’t optional – it’s essential. After all, there’s little point in stocking up on Ready To Burn kiln dried logs if they’re only going to get wet again.

How to Store Logs Properly

To preserve combustion quality, logs should always be stored:

• In a purpose-build log store

• Under cover

• With good airflow

• Off the ground

• Protected from direct rainfall

Air circulation is particularly important. Fully wrapping logs in plastic traps moisture and creates condensation – which defeats the purpose of drying them in the first place.

Dry wood needs to stay dry.

• FURTHER READING: How to store kiln dried logs and keep them dry

The Importance of a Purpose-Built Log Store

A purpose-built log store is designed to solve all of these problems in one structure.

The key features of a good log store include:

• A solid, sloped roof to deflect rain

• Open or slatted sides for airflow

• A raised base to keep logs off damp ground

• Sufficient depth to prevent direct weather exposure

Unlike tarps or fully enclosed sheds, a properly designed log store balances protection and ventilation  – which is exactly what firewood needs to thrive.

It also helps you:

• Organise logs by type (softwood and hardwood)

• Rotate stock easily (first in, first out)

• Keep kindling dry and accessible

• Maintain consistent fuel quality

Protect the Investment in Your Fuel

High-quality kiln dried logs are an investment in efficiency and clean combustion. Poor storage can undo that investment very quickly.

When logs are kept dry:

• Ignition is faster

• Combustion temperatures remain higher

• Heat output is stronger

• Smoke production is lower

• Fuel efficiency is maximised

In short, proper storage preserves the performance you paid for.

A purpose-built log store isn’t just an aesthetic garden feature – it’s a practical tool that protects firewood moisture levels, combustion quality, and the overall efficiency of your stove.

Maintain the Appliance and Chimney

Even the best quality fuel and perfect fire-lighting technique cannot compensate for poor chimney and stove maintenance.

Your stove and chimney operate as a complete, centralised combustion system. If airflow is restricted anywhere in that system, performance suffers – regardless of how dry or well-stacked your logs are.

Annual sweeping and servicing are essential to keep everything operating safely and efficiently.

Why Airflow Matters

A healthy chimney creates draft – the upward pull that draws fresh air into the stove and removes combustion gases.

When the flue is clean and unobstructed:

• Airflow is maintained

• Draft is stronger and more consistent

• Combustion temperatures stay stable

• Smoke is drawn away efficiently

However, when soot, tar, or creosote build up inside the flue, that airflow becomes restricted. And restricted airflow means incomplete combustion.

For most households using their stove regularly during heating season, an annual sweep is the minimum recommendation – with more frequent sweeping advised for heavier use.

• Book a HETAS registered chimney sweep

Servicing the Stove Itself

Your log burner also requires attention. Key components that affect combustion include:

• Door seals and rope gaskets

• Air vents and controls

• Baffle plates

• Firebricks and internal linings

Worn seals can reduce combustion control. Damaged baffles can disrupt airflow patterns. Blocked air inlets limit oxygen supply.

All of these issues affect how efficiently your stove burns – and most combustion problems that appear to be “fuel issues” are actually airflow issues.

When Stove Performance Drops – Check Airflow First

Even if you follow the recommended top down fire lighting method, if you happen to notice:

• Slower log ignition

• Increased smoke output

• Blackened stove glass

• Difficulty maintaining flame

It’s often worth assessing chimney draft and appliance condition before attributing accountability to the firewood. There is only a problem with the firewood if the moisture levels are above 20%. If the moisture readings are below 20% and the logs aren’t combusting cleanly, the ignition point either hasn’t been reached or there is insufficient airflow in the box.

Modern stoves are engineered for efficient combustion – but they depend on clean flues, clear airflow paths, and intact internal components to operate as designed.

Safe, Efficient Burning Starts With Maintenance

Clean fuel matters. Correct lighting technique matters. Proper airflow matters. But without regular sweeping and servicing, even the best burning practices cannot deliver optimal performance.

A well-maintained system burns hotter, cleaner, and safer – exactly as it was intended.

Does Sourcing Firewood Locally Reduce Environmental Impact?

When we talk about emissions and air quality, the focus is often on what happens inside the stove – moisture content, airflow, combustion temperature.

But the environmental impact of firewood begins long before a log reaches your log store. In our view, how and where firewood is sourced matters just as much as how it’s burned.

Emissions Don’t Start at the Stove Door

Every mile a load of logs travels adds to its overall carbon footprint. Long-distance haulage, international imports (often from Eastern Europe), and multiple distribution stages all increase transport-related carbon emissions.

Sourcing firewood locally helps to:

• Reduce transport miles

• Lower delivery emissions

• Shorten supply chains

• Increase traceability of origin

Shorter supply chains are typically more transparent and easier to manage responsibly. Here at The Log People, all our logs are sustainably sourced within a 50-mile radius of our Oswestry-based depot.

Supporting Regional Forestry and Rural Economies

Local sourcing also has economic and ecological benefits. When firewood is sourced from local, sustainably managed woodlands, it:

• Supports local forestry jobs

• Sustains rural businesses

• Encourages investment in woodland management

• Keeps value within the local economy

Active woodland management is essential. Without it, many woodlands become overcrowded, reducing light levels and limiting natural regeneration. Responsible thinning improves woodland health – which benefits wildlife, soil quality, and long-term timber productivity.

Sustainable Woodland Management Matters

Sustainable woodland management supports:

• Biodiversity – encouraging varied habitats

• Regeneration – allowing new trees to establish

• Long-term resource stability – ensuring future supply

Harvesting timber as part of a structured management plan is very different from unmanaged woodland clearance. Responsible forestry balances ecological protection with renewable resource use.

Wood used for firewood, when sourced from sustainably managed woodlands, forms part of a renewable cycle. Trees absorb carbon as they grow. When wood is sourced from sustainably managed woodland where replanting and regeneration are maintained, firewood forms part of a renewable biomass cycle. Sustainable management is essential to ensure long-term environmental balance. Managed harvesting allows regeneration to continue that cycle.

Responsible Sourcing Complements Responsible Burning

Clean combustion, dry fuel, correct airflow – these all reduce emissions at the point of use.

But environmental responsibility doesn’t stop there.

Responsible sourcing complements responsible burning

When you choose locally sourced, sustainably managed firewood, you:

• Reduce transport-related emissions

• Support regional forestry stewardship

• Encourage woodland regeneration

• Strengthen long-term fuel sustainability

In short, the journey of your logs matters just as much as the way you burn them.

Cleaner fires start with better fuel – and better fuel starts with responsible, local sourcing.

Cleaner Air and Responsible Wood Burning – Can They Coexist?

The latest 2024 data shows domestic combustion emissions continue to fall – and Defra’s analysis quantifies exactly what “domestic combustion” contributes and how it has changed since 2018.

That progress reflects improvements across the wood-burning ecosystem:

• Wider adoption of modern appliances

• The legal moisture standard and Ready to Burn certification in England

• Better education among stove owners

• Practical changes in everyday fire lighting and refuelling technique

Urban vs Rural Acknowledgement

We also recognise that the impact of domestic wood burning can vary depending on location. In densely populated urban areas – particularly where ventilation is limited and background pollution levels are already high – the cumulative effect of emissions can be more significant than in rural settings.

For that reason, responsible use, correct fuel choice, and full compliance with regulations are especially important in built-up environments, where individual decisions contribute to overall local air quality.

If you live in a Smoke Control Area, make sure your appliance and fuel comply with local requirements (e.g., authorised fuels and exempt appliances).

The Future of Log Burning

When fuel is Ready To Burn certified below 20% moisture, appliances are modern, airflow is established, and best-practice techniques are adopted, wood burning can provide effective heat with significantly reduced emissions compared with outdated practices.

• Responsible sourcing complements responsible burning.
• Good storage protects fuel quality.
• Correct technique supports clean combustion.
• Maintenance protects performance.

The progress seen in 2024 is proof that higher standards work. The next stage is simple: maintain them.

👉 Order your Ready to Burn kiln dried logs today – and burn responsibly with confidence

About the Author

Sarah Fleetwood is Director of The Log People, a UK supplier of Woodsure Ready to Burn certified kiln dried logs delivering across Shropshire, North Wales and Merseyside. She works closely with stove owners and domestic fuel customers, advocating for responsible burning practices, local and sustainable sourcing and improved combustion efficiency.