Living With a Log Burner: The Complete Rural Guide
From choosing the right stove to sourcing seasoned wood and staying on the right side of clean-air regulations — everything you need to know.
A wood-burning stove is one of the great pleasures of country living, but getting it right means understanding the rules, the fuel and the maintenance.
Since 2022, all new stoves must be Ecodesign-compliant, meaning they burn cleaner and more efficiently than older models. If you're in a Smoke Control Area (check with Wealden District Council), you'll need an exempt appliance.
Fuel is key: only burn seasoned wood with a moisture content below 20%. The best local sources sell kiln-dried hardwood — ash, oak and beech — by the cubic metre. Expect to pay £90-£130 per cubic metre delivered. Never burn wet wood, painted wood or household waste.
Maintenance: sweep the chimney at least once a year (twice if you burn daily). A HETAS-registered sweep will issue a certificate, which your home insurance may require.