London chimney sweeps revive as energy costs push homeowners to fires

Chimney sweeps in London are experiencing a revival as rising energy costs and renewed interest in wood-burning stoves lead some homeowners to reopen fireplaces, industry figures say. Modern sweeps now use digital cameras, drones and industrial vacuum cleaners. The National Association of Chimney Sweeps said demand has been bolstered by high energy prices, the popularity of wood-burning stoves and concerns that electricity supplies could be vulnerable to attack by hostile states like Russia.

The association’s membership has risen to about 750, from about 590 in 2021, and its president, Martin Glynn, said people are thinking of fires as a backup heating option. Scientists and campaigners warn that open fires and stoves produce fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is linked to respiratory problems, heart disease and even dementia.

England banned the sale of almost all traditional coal for domestic use in 2023; officially authorized smokeless fuels produce very little visible smoke but still generate some soot. The government recommends that chimneys be professionally swept once a year and that households choose the cleanest available fuels.

Longstanding family firms such as H Firkins & Sons, which traces its business to around 1860, report heavy winter demand—about "70 to 80 calls a day" in the season—and the trade is attracting apprentices and new members, including roughly 40 women.

Key Topics

World, Chimney Sweeps, London, Martin Glynn, Wood-burning Stoves, Electricity Supplies