At Bonfire, we’re a fireplace specialist in london, a reputable supplier and installer for the whole of London, inside and outside of the M25 motorway.
A leading supplier and installer of premium fireplace brands suitable for installation in London for domestic and commercial clientele.
With over 25+ years of experience, we can help you find your dream fireplace, wood burning stove, gas fire or even electric fireplace to suit your home interior vision, no matter how difficult your project may be.
Backed by a full team of in-house surveyors, designers, certified solid fuel and gas installers we are well equipped to undertake any size of fireplace installation.
A quick visit to our London showroom is great way to learn a bit more about our family run business and how you can get your project started with us. We can arrange a home or site survey to inspection your fireplace and to help us understand your intentions.
Enough about us…
Choosing your dream fireplace in London can be difficult. It will need to conform to regulations in smoke controlled areas, access can be tough and knowing what will be most suitable for your property style and age can also be a challenge.
We have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you make the right decision so you don’t get caught out with your next fireplace purchase.
Table of contents
London Smoke Control Area
London, nestled within a smoke control area, imposes restrictions on chimney emissions. Authorized fuel usage is mandatory, unless employing an exempt appliance.
To check your location status, contact your local council or view the online interative map for accurate information.
Please view these links below:
- Interactive Map: Click Here
- Contact Local Council: Click Here
A Defra approved wood burner is an exempt appliance and allows you to burn wood and coal. If you do not have an approved appliance such as an open fireplace or standard log burner you can only burn the ‘smokeless’ fuel below:
- Anthracite
- Gas
- Low volatile steam coal (smokeless coal)
Read the full list of authorised fuels here
The mission of the Clean Air Act 1993 is to control the pollution of smoke emissions and the height of chimneys in built up areas such as London.
All wood burning stoves that are already installed or are currently in the supply chain (manufactured before 1st January 2022) are exempt from the new regulations.
Why do we need these regulations?
With a move towards an environmentally cleaner future regulations have been put in place to ensure that the right fuels are being burnt by more efficient appliances.
domestic wood burning accounted for as much as 38 per cent of PM2.5 emissions in 2019London.gov.uk
What should I do about it?
Using ‘Ready To Burn’ dry and well seasoned wood only can heavily reduce the smoke pollution that is created along with using your wood burner for a shorter duration. A Defra or SIA Eco Design Ready stove will also be more eco friendly for the environment.
What is a smoke control area?
If your house is located within a smoke control area, you’re not allowed to emit smoke from your chimney unless you are burning an approved fuel, or using an exempt appliance. Break the rules and you could face a fine of up to £1000.
Where are the smoke controlled areas?
The majority of London within the M25 motorway is located within a smoke control zone. London boroughs include Greenwich, Lewisham, Islington and Southwark. Boroughs such as Barnet and Croydon have partial restrictions. Contact your local council here to find out whether you’re located within a smoke control area
What fuel can I burn in a smoke control area?
You can burn wood and coal only in a Defra approved appliance. Otherwise, anthracite, gas or ‘smokeless’ coal can only be used for burning.
Why is there a smoke controlled area for fireplaces?
A smoke control area limits how much smoke can be released from a chimney to keep the air clean within the location. You can only use Defra approved fireplaces or burn authorised ‘smokeless’ fuels such as anthracite or gas.
How do I see if I am in a smoke control area?
Contact your local council here and ask for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs department who will be able to advise on your smoke controlled area.
Are bonfires allowed in smoke controlled areas?
Yes, you’re allowed to have a bonfire within a smoke control area but you should always follow the rules of a bonfire here. You should be considerate of neighbours as smoke and smells can become a nuisance.
Are Defra approved stoves and SIA Eco Design Ready stoves the same?
No. Defra is a governing body who have legally regulated smoke emissions in smoke control areas such as London. SIA Eco Design Ready 2022 is a regulation that all new wood burners manufactured or installed after 2021 have to conform to. Normally, these are both indicated by a label.Add question
Wood Burning Stoves London
A wood burner can be a great addition to a London property and provide long lasting warmth whilst saving money on your heating bills, especially in London.
So what wood burner should I get?
Let’s start with the regulations you will have to abide by if you are to install a wood burning stove or already have one in your property.
If you’re living in London you are most probably located within a smoke control area. A smoke controlled zone means there is a limit on how much smoke can be released from a chimney. They usually cover built up areas such a cities or town centres.
You can check with your local council if you live in a smoke control area. Find your local council
If you’re in fact located within a smoke control zone, you can only burn authorised fuel, unless you use an ‘exempt appliance’. An exempt appliance is a DEFRA approved wood burning stove. They allow by law the burning of specified fuels in smoke control areas.
Kindling can sometimes be used in smoke controlled areas but it is best to check with your local council because there are different rules in different places.
Learn more about wood burning stoves in London
Log Burner Installation
All log burners in London are required to be installed by a registered HETAS engineer and conform to the local borough smoke control restrictions within your area.
Defra stoves are the only legally allowed appliances for burning wood and coal in smoke control areas.
New wood burners should all be SIA Eco Design Ready 2022 complient which will be shown by one of the three labels below. It means they’re more efficient and produce less smoke particulates.
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If you already have a wood burner installed it is not necessary for it to be replaced, however any wood burning stoves manufactured or installed after 2021 are required to conform to the SIA Eco Design Ready scheme.
Require Log burner installation in London?
Checkout our SIA Eco Design Ready wood burning stoves here
Looking for fireplace installation in London? Click here
Are wood burners banned in London?
No! Wood burners can be used in London. Although, if your area is located within a smoke control area, you will have to use a DEFRA approved wood burning stove or burn only authorised fuels such as smokeless coals or anthracite.Add question
Wood Fuel in London
Not only will your stove appliance have to conform to new 2022 regulations but the fuel that you burn does too.
You should only ever burn wood that is dry and well seasoned with a moisture content of below 20% as standard. Burning wet wood will damage your wood burner and make your glass dirty overtime.
Split your wood logs in half and use a moisture meter to test the moisture content of your logs. Make sure to press the prongs into the center of the wood to get an accurate reading.
The Ready To Burn scheme, which is administered by Woodsure on behalf of Defra, has been created to make it easier for people to find cleaner and safer fuels that are legal to burn at home. The aim is to improve air quality throughout the whole of the UK.
Look out for the ‘Ready To Burn‘ orange circle logo (image above) on the packaging of your wood or ask your local log supplier for a certificate and reference number to ensure they are a registered stockist.
What is the fine for burning wood without an exempt appliance
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you burn unauthorised fuel without an exempt appliance. You can also be fined up to £300 if your local council decides your chimney releases too much smoke.
What fuel can I burn in a smoke control area?
You can burn wood logs and coal if your stove is Defra approved. If this is not the case, you are only allowed to burn authorised fuels such as smokeless coals or anthracite. Check all authorised fuels here
Does wood have to be Ready To Burn certified?
Yes, all wood sold in the UK should have a ‘Ready to Burn’ label on the packaging and any log suppliers should be able to provide a certificate and reference number to assure they’re a registered member.
What moisture percentage should my logs be?
Your logs should contain less than 20% moisture content. Split your log and place two prongs of a moisture meter into the center of the wood for an accurate reading.Add question
Open Fireplaces London
Open fireplaces are very popular in London as many were installed into properties just after the war and in the Victorian era. Although, lots still have not been updated to adhere to new 2022 regulations.
The rules in London for open fires in the UK are that they do not meet new efficiency regulations in 2022 as the majority of warmth is lost up the chimney. They’re being upgraded to new eco design ready and Defra approved wood burning fires that are highly efficient.
In London, you cannot burn wood or coal in an open fireplace as it is located within a smoke control area. Authorised ‘smokeless’ fuels are only allowed such as anthracite, gas and smokeless coal.
Open fireplaces are the most polluting way to burn solid fuels and pose the greatest risk to health and so should be avoided.London.gov.uk
Yet few people know that for every minute we spend warming ourselves by the fire, tiny toxic air pollution particles known as PM2.5 are being released into the air, causing harm to our health.British Heart Foundation
You can update your open fireplace to an inset eco wood burning fire here so that you can burn wood and coal in London efficiently, your appliance must be Defra approved though.
Check all Defra approved wood burning stove appliances here
Are open fireplaces allowed in London?
Open fireplaces are allowed in London but cannot be used to burn wood or coal. You are only legally allowed to use smokeless coal and anthracite. They are not efficient and should be updated to conform to new 2022 regulations.Add question
Electric Fireplaces London
Electric fireplaces provide a 1-2kW heat output and will lightly warm a room. They are ideal for installation within a London property as they do not require a flue system and are plugged into the mains via a three pin plug in the UK.
Moreover, they have progressed massively over the past 5 years and look very realistic. The flame picture is almost unrecognisable from a real flame and many electric fires have lots of different configurations to suit your home interior.
Simply plug and play with an electric fireplace suited to be housed into a media wall or false chimney breast which can be built on any flat wall of a London property.
Shop electric fires for London
Learn more about electric fire for London here
Gas Fireplaces London
In London, gas fire regulations are the same as everywhere else in the UK. They emphasise the critical requirement that gas fires must be installed and serviced annually exclusively by Gas Safe registered engineers. This stringent measure is implemented to ensure the competence and expertise of the professionals responsible for gas fire installations.
Please ask for an id card on arrival and look out for the Gas Safe Registered logo.
Require gas fire supply or installation in London? Get in contact with us on 0118 970 1717 or email info@bonfire.co.uk
Gas Safe registration signifies that the engineer has undergone rigorous training, possesses the necessary qualifications, and is equipped to handle gas appliances safely. This mandate aims to guarantee the proper installation of gas fires, reducing the risk of potential hazards and ensuring the overall safety of residents.
You can checkout the Gas Safe Register here
Adhering to this specific regulation is paramount to maintaining a secure and compliant environment when it comes to gas fire installations in London.
Shop gas fireplaces here
London FAQ
Yes, although if you’re burning solid fuel such as wood or coal legally you will require a Defra approved appliance. Otherwise you are only allowed to burn authorised fuels that are ‘smokeless’ such as anthracite, gas or smokeless coal.
If you have an open fire, you should be burning smokeless fuels – ask your supplier to ensure this is the case. If you have a stove or other, normal wood is usually OK to use as a fuel. If you are to use wood, it must be seasoned or kiln dried – this method is as suggested – wood that’s dried in a kiln. Taking the moisture out of wood ensures less pollution, 50% less in fact, than if you were to burn fresh wood.
New wood burners must be SIA Eco Design Ready certified if manufactured or installed after 2021. Your log burner should also be Defra approved if you are located within a smoke control area if you would like to burn wood or coal. Contact your local council to see if you’re located within a smoke control zone.
Yes, you can. Although, you must check whether you’re located within a smoke control area. If you are, this means legally you will require a Defra approved appliance for burning wood and coal. Otherwise, you can only burn authorised fuels such as anthracite, gas or smokeless coal.
Yes! Fire pits, barbecues, chimineas and outdoor pizza ovens can all be used in London, even in smoke control areas. You must be considerate of neighbours as smoke and smells can be a nuisance. You should also be careful that your fire pit is more than 1 metre away from any combustible materials.
Yes! You’re allowed to have bonfires in London even if if you’re located in a smoke control area. However, you will need to follow certain rules which can be viewed here.
