Tuesday 17 November marks Clean Air Night, a national campaign highlighting the impact air pollution can have on our health and raising awareness of simple steps people can take to help improve air quality.
Air pollution can come from a range of sources, including road traffic, domestic heating and outdoor burning, however, wood burning is one of the largest contributors to fine particle pollution in the UK and while much of it is invisible, it can affect everyone, particularly children, older people and those with existing heart or lung conditions.
Clean Air Night encourages people to learn more about air pollution and consider practical ways to reduce emissions where possible.
Councillor Adam Duce, Waverley Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
"Good air quality is important for everyone's health and wellbeing. Clean Air Night is an opportunity to raise awareness of the different sources of air pollution and share practical information that can help people make informed choices.
"Many residents use wood-burning stoves and open fires responsibly, particularly during colder weather. This campaign is not about telling people how to heat their homes, but about helping people understand how simple actions can help reduce emissions and improve air quality for everyone.
"We recognise that people have different heating arrangements and that wood burners are often used as a secondary source of heat. While currently there are no specific grants aimed at replacing wood-burning stoves, a range of government schemes are available to help households improve energy efficiency and consider lower-carbon heating options over time."
For residents who use wood-burning stoves or open fires, there are a number of steps that can help minimise smoke and emissions:
• Burn only dry, well-seasoned or kiln-dried wood
• Avoid burning treated or painted wood, household rubbish or garden waste
• Have stoves and chimneys regularly maintained
• Ensure fires have sufficient airflow to burn efficiently
Residents can also help improve air quality by choosing active travel where possible, avoiding unnecessary engine idling and considering cleaner transport options for shorter journeys.
Clean Air Night is coordinated by Global Action Plan and supported by organisations across the UK that are working to improve air quality and public health. For more information about Clean Air Night, visit the Global Action Plan website.
Residents interested in improving their home's energy efficiency or exploring lower-carbon heating options can find information about government support, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, on the GOV.UK website: Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme: Overview - GOV.UK. The scheme can provide grants towards the installation of heat pumps and, in some circumstances, biomass boilers.
For information on grants and support available for low-carbon heating and energy efficiency improvements, visit the Energy Saving Trust website: Boiler Upgrade Scheme explained - Energy Saving Trust.
You can also find out more about Waverley Borough Council’s Clean Air Strategy at How to Help Improve Air Quality | Waverley Borough Council.
Article image: Promotional graphic for Clean Air Night.