Marlborough Living Sep - Oct 2021

Get Ready to Burn
this autumn
When the nights draw in, there’s nothing like
cosying up in front of a woodburner but knowing
what fuel to burn is key to creating this ambience
as well as ensuring the fire burns safely and
efficiently without smoking, reducing the risk of
releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere...
New government legislation means that when we’re ready to
light our fires this year, we need to use wood that’s certified and
labelled as Ready to Burn. Ready to Burn woodfuel gives a better
burn because it’s proven to have a lower moisture content of up
to 20%, so it burns with less smoke than wetter wood, which in
turn also helps reduce pollution from burning.
Alternatively, if you use Manufactured Solid Fuel (MSF) - a fuel
manufactured from coal, wood, plant-derived materials, waxes or
petroleum products with other ingredients – these must also be
certified and labelled as Ready to Burn, proving that they meet
specified limits for smoke emissions and sulphur content.
The Ready to Burn certified fuel scheme is backed by Defra
which appointed the non-profit industry organisation HETAS
to certify Manufactured Solid Fuels (MSF) and its subsidiary
business, Woodsure, to certify woodfuel.
Helen Bentley Fox, Director at Woodsure, said: “Using fuel that’s
Ready to Burn will reduce particulate emissions and improve air
quality, these fuels will also burn more efficiently and are better
for your appliance and chimney, helping to reduce maintenance
and fuel costs.”
How to fuel a safe, efficient and
environmentally-responsible burn this autumn:
1. If you’re buying fuel for immediate use, look for the
Ready to Burn label. To find a trusted retailer visit
www.readytoburn.org or www.hetas.co.uk
2. If you buy a large amount of wood in bulk, suppliers selling
wood in over 2m3 must provide customers with advice on
how to store and season the fuel so that is it dry to burn
3. If you buy woodfuel from a small volume supplier (those
selling less than 600m3 in a year) they have until 30 April
2022 to comply with the new rules, so you’ll need to make
sure the wood is properly seasoned before you use it.
Advice on how to dry wet wood and measure moisture
content can be found on www.readytoburn.org
4. Around 40% of chimney fires take place between January
and March, reduce the risk by making sure your appliance
is regularly serviced and chimney is swept.
Find your local HETAS Registered professional at
www.hetas.co.uk
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CONTACT
US FOR A NO
OBLIGATION
QUOTE
• We have over 55 years of experience in the fireplace industry
• Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will listen to your requirements and help
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Theale Fireplaces Reading Ltd | Mile House Farm, Bath Road,
Theale, Reading RG7 5HJ | 0118 930 2232
mail@theale-fireplaces.co.uk | www.theale-fireplaces.co.uk
54 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk