UK households are being cautioned that they could face fines of £300 if they use their chimney.

Millions nationwide still utilise their fireplaces to warm their homes in winter, using traditional fuels like coal or having a wood burner installed in the chimney.

Regrettably, if your chimney begins to emit smoke, you can be reported to the local council and fined in certain UK areas due to new regulations surrounding Smoke Control Areas.

Section 19 of the Clean Air Act 1993 warns that a £300 fine is mandatory if your chimney releases too much smoke.

According to legislation.gov.uk, the section states: "Dark smoke shall not be emitted from a chimney of any building, and if, on any day, dark smoke is so emitted, the occupier of the building shall be guilty of an offence.

"Dark smoke shall not be emitted from a chimney (not being a chimney of a building) which serves the furnace of any fixed boiler or industrial plant, and if, on any day, dark smoke is so emitted, the person having possession of the boiler or plant shall be guilty of an offence."

People can also be fined up to £1,000 if buying unauthorised fuel to use in an appliance that is not approved by Defra. In a smoke control area, you can only burn the following ‘smokeless’ fuels unless you’re using a Defra-approved appliance: 

Direct Stoves stated: "The current limit on the amount of smoke your chimney can produce in a Smoke Control Area is 5g per hour, plus 0.5g for each kW of your stove's heat output. However, there are plans to reduce this limit to 3g per hour, although when this will happen is not yet confirmed."

"These rules mean that only some people with a wood-burning stove or open fire will pay a fine for using it. Most modern wood burners available are DEFRA-approved, so many stove owners do not need to worry."

"If you want to upgrade an older wood burner that emits a lot of smoke or are considering installing a wood burner in your home for the first time, get an appliance that DEFRA has approved for use in Smoke Control Areas. A wood burner with this seal of approval is designed and tested to operate within the restrictions."