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

5th September 2024, Scotland: 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 2022/2023 there were 426 chimney fires in Scotland, accounting for 1.5% of the total fires in the country. The Highlands alone accounted for 93 incidents of chimney fires – the most of all Scottish counties – followed by Dumfries and Galloway at just 37 incidents. The figures are similar across England, with chimney fires accounting for approximately 1.5% of total fires in 2023/24.

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 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.”

The HETAS findings also suggest that people are ‘doing it themselves’ when it comes to sourcing fuel for their wood burner; 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: “Wood is not an authorised smokeless fuel in Scotland and can only be burned in a smoke control area if it is used with an exempt heating appliance, so it is crucial that consumers check both their appliances and fuel before burning.

“Those purchasing wood fuel are advised to look for the ‘Ready to Burn’ certification mark, which ensures that wood fuel has a moisture content of 20% or less, meaning it is safe and efficient to burn.

“We found that there is still a small percentage of consumers, over 1 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 that 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.