Appleyard's Chimney Sweeping & Oil Services

09/04/2026

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05/12/2025

🔥 Don’t Believe the Scaremongering Headlines — Woodburning Stoves Are Not Being BANNED 🔥

There’s a growing wave of panic online saying that woodburning stoves are being outlawed — but the facts say otherwise.

✅ The UK government recently confirmed under the upcoming Future Homes Standard (FHS) that wood-burning stoves will still be permitted as a secondary heating source in new homes.
✅ According to the independent consumer body Which?, as of 2025 “there are no plans to ban wood burners” outright — though regulations and fuel requirements are tighter.
✅ Yes — there are new rules to improve air quality (e.g. only Ecodesign-certified stoves can be sold, certain fuels are restricted in smoke control areas) — but that’s about responsible use, not a blanket ban.

➡️ In short: the headlines claiming “WOODBURNING STOVES BANNED” are misleading. What’s really happening is a push for cleaner, safer wood-burning practices, not a ban.

If you already own a stove, or are thinking of installing one, there’s no evidence they’re being outlawed. They remain legal when used correctly.

07/11/2025

Hands off my wood-burning stove!
They’re a small comfort in a cold, bureaucratic world
4 November 2025, 4:59am
From Spectator Life

Now that the clocks have gone back and the evenings draw in, those of us lucky enough to own a log burner start thinking about cranking it up. One of the few benefits of returning to GMT, as far as I’m concerned, is the chance to get primal – and have a real fire. Yet, as sure as eggs are eggs, this is also the time of year the media trots out scare stories about the supposed perils of wood stoves.
For example, articles have recently appeared in several papers about a report commissioned by the climate charity Global Action Plan and Hertfordshire County Council, which claims that wood-burning stoves and open fires are a significant source of ‘particulate matter’. These small pollution particles, we’re told, cause heart and lung disease and are responsible for 2,500 deaths a year, in addition to thousands of cases of diabetes and asthma. The report also claims that banning the burning of coal and wood could save the NHS £54 million a year.
Of course, pollution is a serious matter. I’ve got a family member with chronic asthma, so I’m mindful of its potential impact. But is restricting the use of log burners and real fires really going to make an appreciable difference – especially when weighed against both their practical benefits and the pleasure they give? According to Bupa, smoking still causes 78,000 deaths a year, despite the best efforts of successive governments. And the Royal College of Physicians estimates that pollution from all sources will cause 30,000 deaths in 2025. Seen in that context, coal and wood fires don’t appear to be such a public health menace.
It’s estimated that up to 2.6 million households in the UK have a wood burner. Yet the report, conducted by UK environmental consultancy Ricardo, suggests that 92 per cent of people burning wood in the UK already have another heating source for their homes. Really – central heating’s been standard in the UK since the 1980s. Of course most people use wood-burning stoves and fires for their aesthetic appeal and as an additional source of warmth. The report also states that the use of log burners has risen sharply in the past three years, particularly in urban areas, with many installations made for ‘lifestyle’ reasons. Which suggests owning one is whimsical. Leaving aside the fact that whimsy is central to modern consumer life, I’d argue that using a wood burner – responsibly – is wholly reasonable.
Central heating is entirely utilitarian. It functions with the minimum effort on our part – and goes almost unnoticed – until it breaks down. Fires, on the other hand, have an atavistic quality: they’ve been used for thousands of years, for both cooking and staying warm. Our ancestors also believed fires protected them from animals and spirits, and there’s something undeniably comforting about a fire on a cold, dark winter’s evening.
Ours isn’t our primary source of heat, although it does come in handy on the rare occasions temperatures slip below zero. So, yes, it’s a middle-class luxury, but staring into one suffuses you with a sense of wellbeing that’s entirely lost with modern heating. The preparation of a fire – adding a firelighter, some kindling and a log or two – is also key to the experience. ‘Ooh, look. It’s going really well!’ I say as I rub my hands with pleasure and do a little dance of triumph. There’s no satisfaction in turning up a thermostat.
I live in a smoke control area, meaning my local council in Bristol has introduced measures to reduce air pollution, which is laudable. For example, they’ve mandated that you must use a Defra-approved stove, a box I can happily say I tick. And you risk a fine of up to £300 for non-compliance. However, in 2024, the council issued a single fine of £175. Research found that 15,000 complaints were made to local authorities about wood burning in the past year – but only 24 fines were issued. Which rather suggests it’s not a high priority for them.
There’s nothing morally dubious about a real fire: it’s a perfectly innocent pastime. I’m pretty sure no one thinks: ‘I know, I’ll chuck a few logs in the burner and wind up the neighbours.’ There may be ethical considerations around things like sustainability, but you can source wood responsibly. So I’m not trying to defend the indefensible or suggesting people be needlessly careless: ‘Go on, chuck on some MDF, it’ll be fine. Don’t worry about the toxins!’ Merely that a touch of common sense wouldn’t go amiss.
I don’t want to make light of respiratory diseases – and pollution is clearly something to be tackled – but, until recently, fires were the way most people heated their homes. And they’re only used seasonally and intermittently, whereas the 40-odd million vehicles on the road are belching out fumes 12 months of the year.
If the health and safety commissars decide that wood burners should be outlawed, it won’t be the end of the world for most of us – we’ll stay warm. But we’ll lose a sensory pleasure that helps relieve the gloom of the long winter months. And I’m not sure encouraging people to phone a snoopers’ hotline – ‘I’ve just smelt aromatic wood smoke, some bastard’s got their log burner going, pass me the phone!’ – is the way forward either. As the Stove Industry points out: ‘Precision-engineered, modern stoves are far removed from the smoky open fires of the past.’ Therefore, if we use traditional forms of heating with prudence, it will hopefully be something we can enjoy for a long time to come.
Visiting my paternal grandmother as a child, she’d almost be invisible behind a fug of cigarette smoke, as she puffed on Embassy No. 1s. In these more health-conscious times, no one thinks chain-smoking 60 f**s a day is a good idea. But a cheeky cigarette after meals is probably well within the range of acceptable risk. Similarly, we’re all now aware of the threat posed by pollution, so before we go full East Germany and start banning things – or dobbing each other in at the first whiff of burning oak – I’d only ask that we be allowed to enjoy, with appropriate care, one of life’s oldest and simplest pleasures: a wood fire.
Written by
G.V. Chappell

03/09/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/174px4tHz5/

How to Keep Tomatoes Fresh for Months Using Wood Ash
https://mideas.co/qDKxb
Wood ash acts as a natural insulator. It absorbs moisture, keeps air circulation low, and helps protect tomatoes from rot, mold, and pests.
It also prevents the fruits from touching one another, which is a major cause of spoilage when tomatoes are stored in piles or containers.
This method doesn’t require refrigeration, electricity, or any chemicals.
All it takes is a dry space, a box or container, and some clean, sifted ash from a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

26/03/2025

Amazon Spring Sale

Carbon Monoxide Alarm

https://amzn.eu/d/5vuJKoQ

04/02/2025

Large body count today. Not pleasant .... Please get your chimney swept regularly and stick an anti bird cowl on the top.

18/12/2024

Slowly and surely Labour are gearing up. This is on the back of a London bus !

Drop an email to your M.P.

05/12/2024

At this time of year, you may experience the smoke escaping from your stove into your room when trying to light it.
Try to heat up your chimney/flue before lighting your fire with a couple of firelighters or use a blow torch, or perhaps light it using the top down method (Youtube).

27/11/2024

THE MANY USES FOR WOOD ASH
If you heat your home with wood, you probably have a good supply of wood ash.
It consists mainly of the minerals left behind after burning wood, and contains calcium along with other beneficial elements that can be useful around the house when applied correctly.
NATURAL ICE MELT
One of the most effective uses for wood ash during winter is as a natural ice melt. The minerals in wood ash function similarly to salt, helping to melt ice on driveways and walkways. Just be cautious when using it near your front door, as it can create a mess if tracked inside.
NATURAL TOILET CLEANER
Wood ash is an excellent toilet cleaner because it not only cleans and polishes the bowl but is also safe for septic systems.
CLEANING CLOUDY HEADLIGHTS
A reader once shared that they create a rubbing paste from wood ash to clear up cloudy headlights on their vehicle. This makes sense, as the grime and exhaust residue on headlights are quite similar to the dirt on stove glass.
SILVER POLISH
Just like it cleans glass, wood ash can also be used to polish silver. Simply dampen a cloth, add a bit of wood ash, and gently rub tarnished silver to restore its shine.
In rural areas and while camping, wood ash is often used to scrub dishes as well.
SKUNK ODOR REMOVER
Wood ash can help neutralize skunk odor on pets. If your pet gets sprayed, dust them with wood ash and leave them outside for a few hours before giving them a thorough bath.
While this method can be somewhat effective and may have been more common in the past, there are now better alternatives available. If your pet has been sprayed by a skunk, using wood ash is fine in a pinch, but I highly recommend having skunk-off spray and specialized pet shampoo on hand.
CONCEALING STAINS ON PAVING
Wood ash, with its natural grey hue, is effective for masking stains on sidewalks and paving. Just sprinkle a little on the affected area and rub it in with your shoe.
REMOVING OIL SPILLS
Just like it can hide stains, wood ash is also great for soaking up oil spills, helping to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place.
ROACH REPELLENT
Sprinkling some ash in dark areas of your home or beneath appliances can deter cockroaches. Their tough exoskeletons don’t fare well against wood ash, making it an effective barrier.
ODOR ABSORBER
Much like baking soda, wood ash can help eliminate unpleasant smells in your home. Placing a small jar in the fridge can work wonders, especially if there are bits of charcoal mixed in with the ashes.
HUMIDITY ABSORBER
Wood ash is useful for soaking up moisture and can help stop mold from forming in damp areas. Just put a cup of wood ashes in a musty cupboard or basement, and the leftover charcoal pieces will enhance its effectiveness.
GARDEN FERTILIZER
Rich in trace minerals from the wood, wood ash is beneficial for plant health. While it lacks carbon and nitrogen, those nutrients can easily be sourced from compost.
According to the University of Vermont, about 5 gallons of wood ash is recommended for every 1,000 square feet of garden space. However, be cautious, as it raises soil pH and isn’t suitable for acid-loving plants like blueberries or potatoes.
ENHANCE COMPOST
Adding a small amount of wood ash can give your compost pile a helpful boost. While birds may enjoy the compost, in rural areas, it can attract bears. Sprinkling some wood ash on top can deter these large animals from rummaging through your scraps.
Many have found that since they began incorporating wood ash into their compost, they’ve noticed a significant improvement in its health. Digging into the center reveals a handful of active worms diligently breaking everything down.
MANAGING POND ALGAE
Wood ash is rich in micronutrients essential for plant growth, which can also enhance the health of aquatic plants. The potassium found in wood ash can help rooted aquatic plants in a pond thrive, allowing them to better compete with algae. This competition can effectively slow down algae growth in the pond. Just be cautious not to overdo it.
AVOIDING FROST DAMAGE TO PLANTS
Sprinkling wood ash on plants before a light frost can help shield them from frost damage. This is because the mineral salts in wood ash can lower the freezing point of water without harming the plant tissues, unlike some other salts.
COMBATING CALCIUM DEFICIENCY IN TOMATOES
Those unsightly black spots on tomatoes are often due to a lack of calcium. While eggshells and bone meal are commonly added to tomato planting holes for calcium, wood ash can serve the same purpose. Simply mix about 1/4 cup of wood ash into each tomato planting hole before placing the transplants.
REPELLING SLUGS AND SNAILS
Creating a ring of wood ash around your crops can deter slugs and snails from entering your plant beds. We use this method around our homegrown shiitake mushrooms, which are particularly vulnerable to these pests. It’s also effective for leafy vegetables like lettuce. Keep in mind that the wood ash barrier will only last until it rains or gets wet, so you’ll need to reapply it regularly. The upside is that it washes off easily when it’s time to harvest.
SAFE ANT REPELLENT FOR KIDS AND PETS
By placing a mound of wood ash on top of an anthill, you can encourage ants to relocate their nest. This method won’t destroy the nest, but it will prompt the ants to move, making it a great way to keep their nests away from areas where kids play.
MINERAL SUPPLEMENT FOR CHICKENS
Wood ash is packed with minerals, making it a beneficial supplement for chickens when used in moderation. According to Community Chickens, “Wood ash provides calcium and potassium.” Adding wood ash to your chicken feed can be a great way to enhance their diet.

03/11/2024

Which Wood Should I Burn?

As Chimney Sweeps we often get asked “Which wood Should I burn in my Stove?”
It’s not such a silly question all wood burns so on the face of it the answer should be any, obviously right?

It would be fair to say that all wood burns, but some depending on the density burn at different speeds or slower than others this can be a benefit, however, it doesn’t always mean it’s good.

Slow burning wood may also burn at a low temperature, and that might appear your stove isn’t drawing sufficiently. Faster burning woods as a general rule produces better heat output with a strong flame.

Fast burning woods burn as it suggests at a fast rate, this will result in you burning more, whilst a noticeable difference in the heat output will benefit the home, but you will burn more wood with costs associated.

So, as you can see the answer to the question is not so simple, for that reason we would recommend mixing both types. Listed below is a brief outline of the common types available.

All wood should be seasoned for at least 24 months and never burn wood with a moisture content above 20%

Preferably do not purchase wood in a plastic bag or from a gararge where wood is stored open to the elements.

Apple: burns slowly, but with a good flame, and moderate heat output.

Ash: fast burning with good heat output.

Beech: burns in a similar fashion to Ash.

Birch: burns quickly and produces a strong heat output

Horse Chestnut: has a strong flame and good heat output

Chestnut: A moderate fuel that produces a small flame and weak heat output.

Oak: is a hard wood which burns very slowly with low moderate output.

Cedar: good heat output burns well

Sycamore: burns with a good flame, with moderate heat.

Rowan: A good firewood that burns hot and slow.

Plum: provides good heat with a nice aromatic sent.

Pine: species generally: burns with a splendid flame, good heat output, but spit.

Pear: burns with good heat, good scent and no spitting.

Maple: A good all round firewood.

Hawthorn: good firewood, burns hot and slow.

03/11/2024

From ICS ( The Institute of Chimney Sweeps) in FAQ's

Do I need a Hetas Approved sweep ?.
No, Hetas are not a Government, body their Approved Chimney Sweeping Scheme is nothing more than a private company excising their right to promote their business.

04/08/2022

The Silent Killer – (CO) is an extremely poisonous gas that has no smell or taste. It can be left undetected if no carbon monoxide alarm is fitted. 🚨

can be present in the fumes from the combustion of fuels that aren’t burnt under correct conditions. Fuels such as gas, oil, solid mineral fuel, and biomass all have the potential to emit CO.

Take some time this to view the series of safety videos, covering everything from signs and symptoms to where to position your alarm.

⚠️ https://www.youtube.com/user/HETASuk/playlists ⚠️