Wood stove pollution: check before lighting up

A wood stove is not automatically a clean heater: even natural wood releases fine particles when it burns. If your main heating is already running, the simplest way to avoid extra local emissions is to skip a fire lit just for atmosphere.

Check three things before lighting a fire

1. Do you actually need the extra heat? If not, leave the stove off.
2. Check local air-quality alerts and any restrictions on wood burning. During poor air quality or a temperature inversion, avoid an additional wood fire where possible.
3. If you need to use the stove, prepare only dry, untreated wood approved for your appliance. Never burn painted wood or rubbish.

If you use the stove

Follow your stove's instructions for lighting it and adding the recommended amount of fuel. Do not simply restrict the air supply to make the fire last longer: smouldering combustion can produce more pollutants. Have the stove and flue professionally inspected and maintained regularly. General online advice is no substitute for the instructions for your model.

Why natural does not mean clean

Burning wood releases fine particles, soot and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, among other pollutants. During a temperature inversion, warmer air traps cooler air near the ground, allowing pollution to build up locally. Dry wood and correct operation reduce emissions, but do not make a fire pollution-free.

Air quality is not the same as climate impact

This advice mainly concerns supplementary fireplaces and wood stoves, not every wood-heating system. Appliance design, filters, maintenance and location all matter. Climate comparisons also depend on the fuel's origin, efficiency and the alternative heating system. Before buying a stove, assess your heating needs and alternatives with an independent energy adviser. A renewable fuel is not automatically a clean one.