All sales of traditional house coal were banned in England from 1 May 2023. If you’ve previously used house coal (also known as bituminous coal) to fuel your stove or open fire, you'll be pleased to know that there are great alternatives available.
Legislation
The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 outlawed the sale of wet wood and house coal as the most polluting fuels. It is illegal for businesses, including Approved Coal Merchants such as ourselves, to sell house coal for domestic burning in England.
Ready to Burn
To support the legislation the Ready to Burn Scheme was also introduced. The Ready to Burn logo makes it easy for you to identify fuels that are suitable to use and buy with confidence.
Coal Ban Alternatives
Smokeless Fuel
The legislation has been brought in to improve air quality so if you are looking for an alternative then we have a wide range of cleaner, smokeless solid fuels available for you to choose from. And even better news…. smokeless fuels are more cost effective too as they burn more efficiently than traditional coal. Smokeless ovoids are ideal to burn on your open fire or multi fuel stove well into the future.
Wide range of cleaner, smokeless solid fuels available
Solid Fuel Hub
Firewood & Heat Logs
In addition to manufactured smokeless ovoids, another option would be to burn kiln dried logs which are dried to less than 20% moisture and are Woodsure Ready to Burn certified. Heat logs are also a popular choice as they are easy to light and store and exceed the air quality standards.
Please check your stove details or with your stove manufacturer on what your appliance can burn.
What can I do?
- Replace your coal with manufactured solid fuels
- Can your stove burn firewood?
- Look for the Ready to Burn logo
Smokeless Coals (including Anthracite) and Kiln Dried Logs are NOT banned.
We recommend:
- Any Smokeless Fuel
- Kiln Dried Logs – Dried to less than 20% moisture.
- Heat Logs