The 2026 winter checklist
for wood-burning homes.
DEFRA rules changed in 2021 and Building Regs in 2022. Most stove owners are running on outdated info. Five things every UK firewood-burning household should check before December.
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Carbon monoxide alarm — legally required
Since June 2022, every UK home with a solid-fuel appliance must have a working BS EN 50291-1 carbon monoxide alarm in the same room. Landlords face £5,000 fines for non-compliance, and homeowners selling without one can lose buyers at survey stage. If you don't have one, fix this first.
See our CO alarm picks - 2
DEFRA smokeless fuel rules
Since May 2021 it's illegal to sell traditional house coal or wet wood for home burning. If you're in a Smoke Control Area (most UK cities and towns), you must burn DEFRA-approved smokeless fuel or seasoned wood under 20% moisture. Most rural Smoke Control Areas now extend further than people realise — check your postcode at the DEFRA site.
Shop DEFRA-approved smokeless fuel on Amazon UK - 3
Backup heating for when the stove isn't enough
A stove handles the room you're in. For the rest of the house — and for the nights you're away, asleep, or recovering from a cold snap — you need a reliable boiler or heat pump. Older boilers (15+ years) typically lose 20-30% efficiency vs a modern A-rated unit. iHeat does free quotes from Gas-Safe installers across the UK, usually fitted within a week.
Get a free boiler quote - 4
Backup power for storms
Rural homes are most exposed to winter outages — Storm Arwen left some Northumberland villages without power for 11 days. Your stove keeps you warm, but a portable power station keeps the fridge running, phones charged and lights on. EcoFlow's DELTA 2 and 3 series plug into a normal UK socket, charge in 50 minutes, and run a typical fridge for 24+ hours.
Browse EcoFlow power stations - 5
Annual safety checks
HETAS recommends an annual chimney sweep for any solid-fuel appliance — September/October is the busy season so book now. Selling or letting your home? You'll need a valid EPC and a gas safety certificate if you also have any gas appliances. Both can be arranged online in 24-48 hours.
Book an EPC or gas safety check
The six accessories every stove owner should have
A £40 stove fan moves 60% more heat into the room. A £20 moisture meter pays for itself in saved wood. We rounded up the six essentials worth owning — including the CO alarm that's now legally required.
See the picksHeating your home costs less than you think
Free, no-obligation quotes from Gas-Safe installers in your area for boiler upgrades, heat pumps, and home insulation. Most quotes take 30 seconds to request.
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