Survey reveals 43% of chimney sweeps and installers identify burning incorrect fuel as the leading risk factor for UK chimney fires.
Using the wrong fuel is the single largest contributor to chimney fires, according to recent research among heating industry professionals. A survey of chimney sweeps and stove installers revealed that 43% of respondents identified the combustion of unseasoned wood, household trash, and unsuitable coal as the primary risk factor leading to dangerous creosote build-up and flue blockages.
The findings come amid sustained consumer interest in secondary heating sources, such as wood-burning stoves and multi-fuel appliances, as households look to manage energy costs. Industry experts stress that poor fuel choices severely compromise flue lining integrity and increase the frequency of hazardous chimney fires across domestic properties.
What does this mean for a UK tradesperson or DIYer actually buying this kit — does it change what they should pay, buy, or watch out for?
For heating engineers, plumbers, and stove installers, this research underlines the need to educate clients at the point of installation and routine servicing. When specifying or fitting stoves, tradespeople should ensure customers understand that using cheap, high-moisture timber directly causes costly flue degradation. Installers should recommend that clients invest in standard-compliant wood moisture meters — readily available from merchants like Screwfix, Toolstation, and B&Q — to verify that logs have a moisture content below 20% before burning.
While consumers may attempt to save money by burning waste wood or unseasoned logs, doing so significantly increases maintenance expenses. Tradespeople advising customers should emphasize that purchasing properly certified Ready to Burn logs and scheduling annual chimney sweeps prevents expensive liner repairs and mitigates serious fire hazards in the home.
Reported by HPM Magazine — original article
Price alerts on the kit you're watching, plus the deals our team files each day.
Create a free account
