Colder winters: For our health and the planet’s, should log burners be banned in the UK?

A third of British residents support a log burner ban amid reports they’re harmful to the environment.

Transcript

00:00A significant number of people in the UK are calling for a ban on log burners due to concerns

00:05about their environmental and health impacts. A survey by MyBuilder.com, a tradesperson

00:10hiring platform, found that one third of British residents support such a move, with men slightly

00:15more in favour than women at 35% versus 31%. Younger people are also more supportive, with

00:2138% of under 34s backing a ban compared to just 27% of over 55s. This debate aligns with

00:28new laws aimed at reducing emissions from wood-burning stoves, which account for 38%

00:33of the UK's particulate matter air pollution, according to a government report. While purchasing

00:38and installing new wood-burning stoves is still permitted, older-style models are no

00:43longer in production. Additionally, fuel rules have tightened. The sale of traditional house

00:47coal and wet wood in quantities under two cubic metres is prohibited, as burning these

00:52materials contributes significantly to PM2.5 pollution, the most harmful air pollutant

00:58identified by the World Health Organization. DEFRA advises that using approved fuels and

01:02appliances can help reduce emissions. In designated smoke control zones, it's illegal to produce

01:08smoke from a building's chimney unless using an exempt appliance, such as approved wood-burning

01:12stoves. Local authorities are responsible for enforcing these restrictions and provide

01:17resources for residents to check compliance via their websites. With log burners under

01:22scrutiny, alternative heating options are gaining attention. Bioethanol fireplaces offer

01:27a cleaner solution using renewable fuel that emits no smoke or harmful fuels and requires

01:32no chimney. Gas fires provide convenience and lower maintenance, but may be less appealing

01:37due to rising energy costs. And electric fires are clean and portable, making them practical

01:41for smaller homes, though they can be costly to run. Heating expert Jack Coles from MyBuilder.com

01:46acknowledge the divide. Log burners can split opinion. While not the most environmentally

01:51friendly, they can be cost-effective and are very popular. But homeowners may wish to explore

01:56greener alternatives.