Are Wood Burners Being Banned in 2026? What HETAS Says

The headlines are misleading

When the government published its new Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, several news outlets ran stories asking whether wood burners would be banned. HETAS — the UK's recognised solid fuel and biomass heating organisation — has made it clear that a ban is not mentioned anywhere in the plan.

The plan's focus is on improving air quality and reducing emissions from all kinds of burning, while recognising that many households rely on wood or smokeless fuel to stay warm. That is a very different thing from taking stoves out of people's homes.

What the plan actually says about wood burning

The Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 sets out the government's strategy for the environment over the coming years, covering air pollution, nature recovery and public health. For stove owners, the relevant section is the clean air ambition.

England now has two main targets for PM2.5, the tiny particle pollution that can affect health:

• Annual concentration target: reduce average PM2.5 levels to 10µg/m³ by 2030 — ten years earlier than previously planned.
• Population exposure target: cut the pollution the whole population is exposed to by 30% by 2030, compared with 2018 levels.

To help meet these targets, the government has committed to consult in 2026 on further measures to reduce emissions from domestic combustion. That consultation has not yet happened, and no details have been released.

Domestic burning is one focus among several

The plan highlights domestic burning as one of three key areas, alongside transport and industrial emissions. Domestic burning includes wood burners, open fires, barbecues, bonfires and unregulated outdoor burning.

It is also worth noting that PM2.5 emissions from domestic combustion have already fallen by 17% between 2020 and 2023, and overall UK PM2.5 emissions have dropped by 76% since 1990. Progress is being made, and the plan builds on existing work rather than introducing sudden restrictions.

Myth vs fact: don't let the headlines fool you

Smoke Control Area rules have not changed

Smoke Control Areas have been around for decades. In these areas, it is an offence to emit smoke from your chimney unless you are using an authorised appliance or exempt fuel. Councils can issue civil penalties to repeat offenders.

The Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 does not propose any changes to Smoke Control Areas, enforcement powers or emissions limits. If you already burn legally in a Smoke Control Area, those rules still apply exactly as before.

Modern stoves are part of the solution

One of the points HETAS stresses is that modern, efficient stoves are part of the answer, not the problem. A Cleaner Choice certified stove can emit up to 90% less PM2.5 than a traditional open fire, while giving out more heat and using less fuel.

Cleaner Choice appliances already go beyond the strictest Smoke Control Area limits, emitting at least 50% less PM2.5 than the legal requirement. If you are thinking about upgrading, choosing an efficient, certified stove is one of the best things you can do for air quality and your heating bills.

What stove owners should do now

The bottom line

There is no ban on wood-burning stoves, and no new rules have been announced for 2026. The government's aim is cleaner air, not taking your log burner away. By using the right stove, the right fuel, getting your chimney swept regularly, and following best practice, you can keep your home warm and do your bit for air quality at the same time.

This article is based on HETAS' advice on wood burner rules and Labour's Environmental Plan. For the full statement, visit the HETAS Advice Hub.