1 in 10 owners of wood burners and solid fuel stoves at risk of a chimney fire

 as stacks are left unswept for years 

2nd September 2024, UK: New research reveals 1 in 10 owners of wood burners and other solid fuel stoves leave it years before sweeping their chimneys putting their homes at risk of catching fire. One user said, “I’m not sure how often I should have it done.”

The findings from HETAS come during the not-for-profit organisation’s Chimney Fire Safety Week (CFSW) an annual, national campaign which runs from 2nd - 8th September in partnership with Fire Kills, industry, and Fire and Rescue services to promote positive safety messages to consumers. 

In 2023/2024 there were 2,126 chimney fires in England, accounting for 1.5% of the total fires in the country. While chimney fires are steadily decreasing, there are now more than 1.5 million wood burners in the UK, with around 200,000 sold each year. Last year a Midlands fire brigade reported a 240% increase in these types of fires mainly due to people ‘not bothering to have their chimneys swept.’

Industry advice is for chimneys to be swept at least twice a year if you burn wood, and at least once every 12 months if you use smokeless fuels, regardless of what type of chimney you have and even if it is lined. The right fuel should be used, with wood containing 20% or less moisture, and appliances should be installed and regularly maintained correctly.

The new data from HETAS, an independent organisation promoting a cleaner, safer and more sustainable environment, working with Government and industry experts, found that a shocking 41% of people that own wood burners or other solid fuel stoves have never had their appliance serviced. Some owners are ‘doing it myself’ when needed, while others do not believe that their stove needs servicing.

Bruce Allen, CEO of HETAS said: “The best time to get your chimney swept and your solid fuel appliance maintained is just before the start of the heating season in September, alternatively after your stove has not been used for a prolonged period. This is even more important after the long wet summer we have had, and to remember that stove and chimney maintenance is an essential and responsible part of ownership.”

People are also ‘doing it themselves’ when it comes to sourcing fuel for their wood burner, according to the HETAS findings. A high 63% of those who said that they source their fuel from places outside of retailers, garages, farm shops or social media sites, said they produce their own firewood by cutting down their trees or collecting it from woodland.

Bruce continues: “There are strict government regulations in place (in England) which dictate that wood sold in volumes under 2m³ is ‘Ready To Burn’ certified to ensure that it has a moisture content of 20% or less and that Manufactured Solid Fuels contain less than 2% sulphur content.

“We found that there is still a small percentage of consumers, over one in 10 who still don’t check if their fuel is certified or only check sometimes. This appeared to be the same when assessing what appliance to buy. Over 40% of the stove owners we polled either don’t have or aren’t verifying that their wood burner or solid fuel appliance is a ‘Cleaner Choice’ certified stove which means it burns clean and low carbon fuels and is therefore better for the public and the environment.

“If you’re obtaining fuel from a non-certified source, check that it adheres to the right moisture levels and that any appliance bought since 1st January 2022 complies to Ecodesign regulations. When used correctly and with the appropriate fuels and maintenance routine, a solid fuel stove can be an excellent source of heat for the home – one that reduces your risk of a fine, and prevents a build-up of creosote deposits in the flue which can lead to a chimney fire.” 

Ends

Editors notes

HETAS is an independent not-for-profit organisation promoting cleaner and safer choices to trade, retailers, and consumers, for the use of biomass and other solid fuels, appliances and associated technologies. 

Working with local and national government, industry experts and innovators, HETAS provides expert advice, training and clear evidence-based information to businesses, consumers and regulators. HETAS prides itself on investing surplus funds into business areas that directly contribute to safely reducing particulate and carbon emissions for the benefit of the people and the environment.  

For more information on HETAS, visit hetas.co.uk.