Did you know that wood burning is the most polluting way to heat your home?
Wood burning produces fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5), which enters your bloodstream when inhaled and can cause heart and lung disease, as well as increasing your risk of diabetes and dementia.
If people in the UK only burned wood when no other heat source is available, more than 1,500 deaths in the UK every year could be avoided and save the NHS over £54 million in healthcare costs (that’s nearly 1.5 million GP appointments each year).
Even homes with newer “Ecodesign” wood burners are three times more polluted than those without, putting the health of you and your family at risk. And burning wood doesn’t just pollute your home – it can pollute your local community and harms the health of your neighbours.
We all want to stay warm this winter, but cosiness shouldn’t cost our health. This Clean Air Night (22 January 2026), share the facts about wood burning with your friends and family to protect everyone's health.
Visit cleanairhub.org.uk to find out more and join the conversation on #CleanAirNight.
Cllr Adam Duce, Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said:
“Clean Air Night is a great opportunity for us all to think about the impact of our choices. Burning wood might feel comforting, but it can come at a real cost to our health and our community. We don’t want to spoil anyone’s enjoyment or say you should never use a wood-burning stove - just be mindful of the impact. By pledging to go fire-free for one night or, even better, for a longer period, or by seeking alternatives, we can all help reduce harmful pollution and protect the wellbeing of our families and neighbours.”
You can find out more including information on how you can help improve air quality by visiting How to Help Improve Air Quality | Waverley Borough Council.