End of the Road for Wet Wood Logs

The ban on the sale of wet wood and house coal explained

As part of the UK government’s drive to cut air pollution, sales of wet wood in small units less than 2 cubic metres was banned from February 2021. Wet wood in volumes greater than 2 cubic metres now has to be sold with advice on how to dry it before burning.

To be clear, this only currently applies to users in England. The government believes the phase-out will give the public and suppliers time to use up stocks and move to cleaner alternatives, such as dry firewood and solid fuels.

Wales and Scotland

Similar proposals to reduce the burning of wood and coal are being considered in Wales and Scotland – we’ll keep you posted on developments.

The Message

Environment Secretary George Eustice has said: “Cosy open fires and wood-burning stoves are at the heart of many homes up and down the country.

“But the use of certain fuels means they are also the biggest source of the most harmful pollutant affecting people in the UK.

“By moving towards the use of cleaner fuels such as dry wood we can all play a part in improving the health of millions of people. This is the latest step in delivering on the challenge we set ourselves in our world-leading clean air strategy.”

What’s the Problem?

Both wet wood and house coal give out tiny particle pollutants known as PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into lungs and blood, causing serious health problems. Wet wood comes from recently felled trees still full of moisture – wood-burning stoves and coal fires produce the greatest source of the pollutant. It’s a fact that 166,000 homes here in Britain, not on the gas grid, rely on solid fuels on a daily basis.

Telling Research

John Maingay of the British Heart Foundation said: “Wood and coal burning accounts for 40% of harmful levels of background PM2.5 in the UK, and our research has shown that toxic PM2.5 can enter the bloodstream and damage our heart and circulatory system.”

Defra Findings

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs or DEFRA, wood-burning stoves and coal fires are the single largest source of PM2.5, contributing three times as much of the pollution as road transport.

Did you know wet wood can also damage chimneys much more, by allowing tar and soot to build up?

Air pollution is the top environmental risk to human health in the UK, according to the Clean Air Strategy 2019 adopted by the UK government. The strategy sets out their plans for dealing with all sources of air pollution, making our air healthier to breathe, protecting nature and boosting the economy. — www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-air-strategy-2019

It’s estimated the new legislation could cut the cost of air pollution to society by £1.7bn a year by 2020, rising to £5.3bn each year by 2030.

So What’s The Solution?

It’s time to forget about seasoned wood – there’s a better way to get that perfect burn from firewood without harming the environment or your own health. First of all, wood burners and stoves certainly won’t be banned – it’s just some of the fuel people currently use that needs to be changed for a healthier alternative. But you’ve no need to worry about things like changing heating or cooking systems.

You can purchase kiln-dried logs containing hardwood taken from sustainable British woodland from a reputable supplier much like ourselves. What’s more, it can work out cheaper in the long run; delivery is easy and convenient; and storage can be clean and compact. Our dry, high-energy logs are perfect for wood and multi-fuel stoves, fire pits, chimineas, camp fires, pizza ovens and range cookers.

As we go further into the 21st century, this really is the best way forward in terms of fuel for your fire. We can even offer simple and clean storage solutions. Acquiring firewood fuel for your domestic needs can be stress free when you get help from experts in the field. With more and more people enjoying their multi-fuel stoves, kiln-dried logs are the best way to go.

Burning kiln-dried logs is much better than burning what we call fossil fuels, simply because trees can be replanted. Fossil fuels like gas and coal take years to form. And once you get used to the benefits of this type of firewood, you’ll probably wonder why you didn’t use it previously. So, with all these changes in mind, let’s take a closer look.

All of our kiln-dried logs are quality control tested to ensure very low moisture, and of course the whole process is legal. Kiln-dried logs are also commonly referred to as ‘ready to burn logs’. Even before the kiln process our logs are cut using tools powered by solar power. We try and put as much back into nature as we possibly can, so everybody wins in the long run.

Not Forgetting Kind Kindling

When it comes to starting that fire, kiln-dried softwood makes the best kindling because it catches fire easily, and will create the large flames required to spread fire across logs or coal. You’ll see a good selection of both firelighters and kindling on our website.

Buying Wet Wood

When the last environment secretary Michael Gove declared changes in the law were on the way, he had in mind many of those logs sold in DIY stores, garage forecourts and various stores – where wet wood was prominent.

The Best Firewood Alternative

Our bulk bags typically contain Ash, Beech and Oak – all excellent hardwoods carrying little moisture and all ready to get you that perfect burn, whether it’s for warmth or cooking. We do not target specific wood species for the purpose of sustainability. In fact, every tree surgeon sourcing our logs is licensed by the Forestry Commission.

The hardwood will produce superb heat and leave little mess. And of course, the environment around you will benefit too. The process of ordering your logs couldn’t be simpler – just head for our website or call us. We are happy to answer any questions on both firewood and the service we provide.

The Bonus

There’s a wonderful bonus available should you decide to purchase your logs online from FirewoodFund.co.uk. – We feel it is important to support the Woodland Trust’s tree planting campaigns.

As a business we believe in not just producing quality kiln-dried firewood, but also putting something back into the environment. So, for each order placed online, we’ll plant a tree for Britain, this way each of our clients knows they have done their bit as well.

And it’s important to remember, light energy from the sun is the fundamental source of all energy in the environment. As our trees capture this light force and convert it into chemical energy, they are, in effect, developing a vital ecosystem. As humans we need trees to live and survive — trees take in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. This is the chemical reaction taking place inside a tree to produce food for it to survive. But by helping to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a tree can assist in freshening up the air around it. We must keep planting new trees to keep stocks high and help the world around us in a responsible manner.

Suitable trees for growing in small spaces include the Rowan tree, or Mountain Ash, Wild Cherries and Crab Apples – the UK’s oldest native fruit tree.

Delivering Excellence

The great thing is we can deliver your kiln-dried logs nationwide in bags or on pallets on the day you choose between 9am – 6pm. We are not able to provide an exact arrival time, but our drivers will try to call in advance to say they are on their way. Saturdays however, will carry a £30 charge. Provided there are no access problems, our tail-lift lorries can place your order in a convenient and safe space, even when you aren’t home. If there’s no convenient access, then it will be a kerbside delivery.

We are always here to advise and ensure you have no problems before the delivery comes out. There’s also an impressive range of payment options available. Kiln-dried logs are very much the way forward, and we are passionate about delivering a first-class service throughout the year. Supporting British trade and produce is what we are all about – FirewoodFund is determined to provide a hassle-free experience for our ever-growing customer base.

An Important Reminder

The changes will mean:

• Sales of bagged traditional house coal will be phased out by February 2021, with the sale of loose house coal directly to customers set to end by 2023.
• Sales of wet wood in small units (less than 2 cubic metres) will be phased out from February 2021. Wet wood in volumes greater than 2 cubic metres will also have to be sold with advice on how to dry it before burning.
• Producers of solid fuels will be required to show their fuels have a very low sulphur content and only emit a small amount of smoke during burning.
• The changes are currently being applied in England – similar proposals are being considered in both Wales and Scotland.
• Households in Clean Air zones are banned by law from emitting dense smoke.
• The government is aiming to reduce emissions of PM2.5 by 46% by 2030.
• If you’re in the process of acquiring a state-of-the-art new burner, it makes sense to consider using kiln-dried logs from the very start.

Safeguarding Future Generations

The new legislation has been created to help everyone by both safeguarding their health and assisting the environment. Climate change, of course, has been very much in the news recently, and this is just one of a number of measures the government are taking as they look toward both future generations and the planet.

“We know that air pollution causes significant health issues across the life course. It is key that the government does everything it can to improve the air we all breathe,” said Prof. Stephen Holgate, special adviser on air quality at the Royal College of Physicians.

Why Not Join the FirewoodFund Family?

FirewoodFund are here to help make life much easier for you, so why not take a closer look today at our kiln-dried firewood. It could actually change things for the better, while you enjoy the comforting feeling of a safe and healthy fire. Our website offers guidance and much more information to help you find the perfect burn at little cost to the environment around you.

Kiln-dried Logs Explained

As we’ve already mentioned, wet wood comes from recently felled trees – so the wood hasn’t had a chance to season and dry out. In actual fact, this process can take months. In any case, wet wood logs wouldn’t make for a top-quality burn. When we place our logs in a kiln, moisture is quickly reduced to less than 20% – this means they become lighter, will burn much more easily and, in the case of hardwood, last longer. In short, they are perfect for any open fire or log burning stove. The kiln-drying process leaves the logs so dry, your stove can be set to restrict the oxygen intake to the minimum setting, giving you a longer, slower burn.

The Kiln Process

When kiln-dried logs are put into a kiln for a set time at a specific temperature, it will ensure moisture levels are always below 20%. And it’s important to note that hardwood dried through this process is the best choice for wood burners, as it will burn slower due to having a higher density than softwood. The firewood will certainly shrink – but to more natural levels.

Only Woodsure – Ready to burn Firewood Logs at FirewoodFund.

Article written: 10th March 2020.