If you have a stove or fireplace then make sure you choose dry or seasoned firewood.
Unseasoned firewood gives off more smoke, which harms air quality, as well as less heat. Seasoned logs are better for your appliance, chimney and fuel bills.
Consumers should look for ‘Ready to Burn’ labels which shows logs are ready for use and contain less than 20 per cent moisture. These logs burn more efficiently than unseasoned green wood and reduce environmental impact.
Cllr John Russell, Environmental Protection and Assets Portfolio holder, at West Dorset District Council, said: “Burning the right fuel helps the environment, but it also helps residents reduce their fuel bills as well as breath cleaner air.
“It is staggering to think that an unseasoned two kilogram log with 50 per moisture is half water, so is one litre water, which means it is less efficient to burn.”
West Dorset District Council has declared two Air Quality Management Areas, one is in Chideock near the A35 and the other in High East Street, Dorchester. This means action plans have been drawn up to try and improve air quality.
Many homes and businesses across West Dorset are off the mains gas grid. More information about air quality is available at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/airquality/west
More information about the ‘Ready to Burn’ scheme which is backed by DEFRA is available at www.readytoburn.org
