Forum Topic

Wood burners

How many of Putneys great and good that preach about car usage and toxic air will admit to using wood burners at home ?Oh by the way the fishermen of Yorkshire when told about the concern for them on the Putney forum said just one thing.Wheres Putney ?

Andy Pike ● 1871d24 Comments

Thanks Ed - little sister so rather tough getting used to it.  She was very proud of her wood burner and I always fancied one too. They also seemed to be a good addition and alternative to gas for when the background heating wasn't enough.  Apart from the article which is very interesting on a number of fronts in itself on how various Councils are managing to build these low energy homes and the problems when the free market gets out of control (which we are suffering more than ever now with all the faulty flats) I found the comments which follow it interesting regarding the difference between pellet stoves and wood burners - which I need to investigate further. Interesting to read that a big developer was apparently lobbying Govt to drop their low energy programme.  We should never underestimate this behaviour just because we don't often hear about it.

Philippa Bond ● 1849d

Philippa I must have missed this last month, I'm sorry for your loss - but thank you for sharing and warning us. I do not have a wood burner but alway liked the idea of one.On the zero carbon new builds, I think legislation is needed. I'm not a builder and it's been 20 years since I went to Sweden but surely could adapt quickly to adopt the best methods available if there was political will?

Ed Robinson ● 1850d

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/mar/06/eco-homes-become-hot-property-in-uks-zero-carbon-paradigm-shift

Philippa Bond ● 1850d

I guess if you have one of these you will have to check the regulations as they are being tightened.  I don't know whether wood burners can be altered to comply.  My sister had one to heat her house and it was pulled out after she died of lung cancer as it was suspected as being a cause.  I have also read that standing over the gas hob when cooking is not good for you either.https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/wood-burning-stoves-are-biggest-source-of-dangerous-air-pollution-in-cities-dxqxbtk8n

Philippa Bond ● 1867d

Jenny this may help you.https://wandsworth.gov.uk/environment/pollution/air-quality/smoke-control-areas-permitted-appliances-and-fuels/

Adam Tripp ● 1868d

My neighbours love their stoves, on a still day any time between October and April a choking pall hangs in the air. Asthmatics like me are very severely affected if they breathe this air; not just at the time but for many hours after.  For what it's worth coal smoke is bad but uncured (cheap) wood is so much worse for those with any lung condition. I have a beautiful gas log fire that harms no one and gives the same fireplace feeling

Jenny Featherstone ● 1868d

I thought all Councils had also told people not to have bonfires because Covid 19 is a respiratory disease.

Philippa Bond ● 1869d

Not me, but it does remind me to ask WBC what are they burning in the Leisure Centre.

Ed Robinson ● 1870d

We don't burn wood but I'd be interested to know about charcoal BBQ's and their effect on pollution levels..

Katrina Black ● 1870d

Some are not great for the environment and are due to be banned next year.

Andy Pike ● 1870d

No sue, that is what we have always burnt.

Ivonne Holliday ● 1870d

I can see you've done your research Ivonne ...

Sue Hammond ● 1870d

Not guilty

Jane Carter ● 1870d

Not guilty.

Matt Palmer ● 1870d

We start the fire with kindling and we burn smokeless fuel.  Any views on this?

Ivonne Holliday ● 1870d

Open fires are as bad, probably worse polluters, Ivonne.  What do you burn on yours?

Sue Hammond ● 1870d

Havent even got any flues or chimney stacks.

Freddie Francis ● 1870d

Aren't there new regulations already in place about wood being sold to burn at home?  It mustn't be green and that is apart from the smoke control area regulations (what used to be smoke-free zones until the ban on smoking pipes and cigarettes etc in enclosed spaces). https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/environment/pollution/air-quality/smoke-control-areas-permitted-appliances-and-fuels/

Philippa Bond ● 1870d

No, we do not have a wood burner at home but yes an open fire which we thoroughly enjoy!

Ivonne Holliday ● 1870d

Not guilty.

Michael Ixer ● 1870d

Does make it smell like winter & Christmas. Got to love the smell from a wood fire

Gabrielle OMahony ● 1870d

Not me.  I have a friend with one and berate him regularly.  We've agreed to disagree.You can see who has them on a cold windless day - just look at the smoke coming from their chimneys.

Jonathan Callaway ● 1870d

Yes the stinking 'trendy' wood burners are probably quite common in Putney but I suspect nobody on here will admit to having one or defend its use.https://mol.im/a/9266655

Sue Hammond ● 1871d

Where's Yorkshire?

Simon Knight ● 1871d