How to prevent exposure to PM2.5

Wet wood contains moisture which loses heat and creates smoke and harmful particulates when burned that can damage your appliance, chimney and most importantly your health. Drier wood will also burn more efficiently and hotter.

Follow these few steps to ensure your firewood is seasoned before burning:

• Do not closely cover logs
• Allow air to circulate
• Do not store on wet ground
• Store firewood off the ground
• Do not store logs open to the elements
• Protect your logs from direct rain
• Do not use fresh logs first
• Keep the newest wood at the bottom of the pile and oldest wood at the top

Remember: ventilation, elevation, elements, location and stock rotation.

Finally, check the wood with a moisture meter. It is recommended you check ‘Ready to Burn’ wood to ensure it has been stored correctly and still contains a moisture content less than 20%.

Head to the Woodsure website for guidance on how to use a moisture metre.

Benefits of burning dry firewood:

• Reduced environmental impact
• Increased heat output
• Easier to light the fire
• Less smoke
• Less deposits of soot on the stove door and chimney 

It may be tempting to keep firewood close to your stove or open fireplace for ease of access. However, wood is a combustible material which should be kept away from an ignition source. 

The improper storage of firewood storage is extremely dangerous and can lead to house fires. Only bring wood into your home that will be burned over the next two days.

Have you had your chimney swept ready for the winter season? 

The Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme (HETAS) encourages having your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood, and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels.

The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used over a prolonged period. If sweeping twice a year, the second time should be after the peak of the main heating season.

The build-up of soot, creosote, cobwebs, bird nests and other blockages prevents gases given off during combustion from being released. The accumulation of these dangerous gases can reduce the appliance efficiency and increase the risk of chimney fires.

Find a chimney sweep through:

• The Federation of British Chimney Sweeps
• The HETAS 'Book a Sweep' webpage
• Sweep Safe

Have you got your multi-fuel stove or open fire ready for the winter season? 

Maintaining your stove or fire improves its performance, uses less fuel to produce more heat, produces fewer harmful particles and reduces the likelihood of chimney fires. 

Have you?

• Had your stove installed by an installer registered on a competent person scheme certified by one of the following organisations: HETAS, APHC, BESCA, Certsure, NAPIT or OFTEC.
• Had your stove serviced once a year?
• Used your stove in line with the manufacturer and installers guidance?
• Had your chimney swept at least once a year?

Do you?

• Clean out the ash.
• Check firebricks for cracks.
• Clean the stove glass – (By burning good quality kiln-dried logs, with a moisture content below 20%, your burner glass should stay relatively clean). 
• Check the seal around the stove door.
• Clean the outside of stove or open fire.

Why should I maintain my open fire or multi-fuel stove?

• Air Quality – A regularly maintained open fire and multi-fuel stove produces less smoke therefore less pollutants are emitted. 
• Efficiency – The build-up of ash and soot reduces air flow making it harder for the stove to generate heat.
• Safety - Soot and creosote build-up in your flue and chimney over time, increasing the risk of chimney fires.
• Life span – The build-up of soot and creosote can damage and corrode your appliance.