Clearing The Air - The Real Data Behind Wood Burning Emissions

This year’s National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) data offers some fascinating insights into how we can further reduce emissions from domestic wood stoves. Let's break down the key points in a way that’s easy to understand.

The Real Story Behind Wood Stoves

Every year, the government releases data on air pollution, but the headlines often miss the nuances. You might have seen reports suggesting that wood-burning stoves are harmful to the environment. However, this broad statement doesn't tell the whole story and is very misleading.

What the Data Shows

According to the Stove Industry Association, despite 2022 being a record year for stove sales, total PM2.5 emissions from domestic combustion dropped by 4%. Emissions from domestic wood combustion fell by 2.7%. These facts were largely ignored in the media.

Understanding “Domestic Combustion”

The NAEI data lumps many different activities under “domestic combustion.” This includes not only wood stoves but also gas cooking, coal and charcoal for outdoor use, and more. So, when we talk about “wood burning stoves,” we're really talking about a small part of a much larger category.

Different Stoves, Different Emissions

The type of stove you use makes a big difference. In 2022, open fires were responsible for 13.3% of the UK’s total PM2.5 emissions. In contrast, modern Eco-design stoves only accounted for 1.8%.

The Impact of Your Fuel Choice

Not all wood fuels are equal. Open fires burning wood accounted for 9.8% of total PM2.5 emissions, while Ecodesign stoves burning wood were much lower at 1.4%. Using dry wood (with less than 20% moisture content) further reduces emissions significantly.

Surprising Comparisons

To put things in perspective:

• Road transport emissions were 66.7 times higher than those from Ecodesign stoves burning dry wood.

• Cigarette smoking caused 4.7 times more PM2.5 emissions than Ecodesign stoves with dry wood.

• Bonfire night emissions were 7.4 times higher than those from these stoves.

Tips for Cleaner Stove Use

To help reduce emissions and improve air quality, here are our top tips as recommended by the Stove Industry Association (SIA):

1. Choose a Modern Stove: Opt for an Ecodesign compliant sustainable solid fuel stove such as a clearSkies certified appliance. If you live in a Smoke Control Area, your stove should be Defra exempt. All level 3 and above clearSkies appliances are certified as Defra exempt.

2. Get Expert Advice: Visit your local SIA Retail Group member for independent. No obligation advice on the best stove for your home.

3. Proper Installation: Make sure your stove is installed by a qualified professional, like those registered with HETAS or OFTEC

4. Use Quality Fuel: Look for the Ready to Burn logo to ensure your wood logs have less than 20% moisture content. Never use chemically treated wood or burn waste on your stove.

5. Regular Maintenance: Service your stove and sweep your chimney at least once a year. The SIA recommends NVQ qualified chimney sweeps for the ongoing maintenance and servicing of your stove and chimney. The Federation of British Chimney Sweeps has links to all the main sweep associations and can offer valuable advice.

Making a Difference

This Clean Air Day, we encourage you to look beyond the headlines. By choosing the latest stove technology and using high-quality wood fuel, you can enjoy a warm home while keeping emissions low. Together, we can make a significant impact on air quality.

For more information and to find your nearest SIA Retail Group member showroom, click here.

At Certainly Wood, we're committed to providing sustainable kiln dried firewood which is grown in the UK. Other products include kindling, natural firelighters and our innovative KindleFlamers (no kindling needed). 

We promote best practices in wood burning to help reduce emissions and improve air quality.