The solid fuel industry is readying itself for some significant changes in legislation, alongside the introduction of new efficiency regulations. Bruce Allen, CEO at HETAS, explains why these changes will make it easier for installers to help better advise their customers when it comes to choosing and using solid fuels and appliances.

Right fuel, right appliance

From 1 May 2021, new Air Quality Domestic Solid Fuels Standards will phase out the use of traditional house coal and wet wood, and introduce sulphur and smoke emissions limits.

These measures mark a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of domestic burning associated with the use of wood burning stoves and coal fires. By phasing out the fuels that are known to emit high levels of particulates, damaging to health and the environment, in favour of safer and cleaner biomass and other solid fuels, the industry can help customers to reduce pollution and maximise heat efficiency.

Installers are at the forefront of helping customers make informed choices and the new legislation supports a clear and simple message, which is to use the right fuel for the right appliance.

For example, wood burning stoves are designed to work on wood with a moisture content between 12% and 20%, which means they maximise the heat at these moisture contents. Burning dry wood can reduce the particulates emitted by up to 80% making a significant contribution to clean air.

For the past four years HETAS has worked with colleagues from Woodsure to run the UK’s only woodfuel quality assurance scheme, making it easier for people to find less polluting dry wood from retailers.

Labelled Woodsure Ready to Burn, the wood is verified by independent inspectors as having a moisture content of up to 20%, which means it burns with less smoke than wetter wood. In turn, this will also help to meet the sulphur and smoke emissions standards set by the new legislation.

Appliance compliance

From 1 January 2022, new Ecodesign Regulations will set new minimum seasonal efficiency and maximum emission requirements for stoves and fireplaces. In preparation, the industry has been focused on how to effectively label appliances that comply with the new regulations to help consumers more easily understand what they’re buying and reduce the risk of non-compliance once the regulations come into force.

As impartial and trusted industry experts, this is where HETAS’ knowledge and understanding can truly benefit the installer. For many years the HETAS Approved Product process has provided a trusted mark for manufacturers, but HETAS Approval cannot be regarded as a substitute for CE marking.

This process enables manufacturers to demonstrate they have gone further than self-certification and have used HETAS as an independent and impartial third-party to carefully analyse test report data, technical information, instruction manuals and marketing materials to verify that themanufacturer claims are correct and aligned with the results of the
initial type testing. This gives an additional level of trust to retailers, appliance purchasers and users who want to know they are investing in the right appliance for themand their individual home or business.

Proving compliance with support from HETAS enables manufacturers to label their product with an industry-recognised seal of approval, either the HETAS Approved Product or in addition the HETAS Ecodesign Compliant mark. Additionally, it also gives retailers greater confidence in the products they’re selling and makes life much easier for the installer.

HETAS approval confirms the manufacturer’s instruction manual meets the needs of Building Regulations Approved Document J and no conflicts occur between the guidance and information provided. In turn, by following these instructions, installers can be confident in delivering a compliant installation, which can support product warranties and is critical for the customer. This also reduces the risk of requiring any remedial work as a result of a Building Control or HETAS inspection, or even a customer complaint.

By giving the installer all the technical detail they need upfront, we remove any confusion around compliance with the various regulations and give both the installer and the customer greater confidence. With HETAS having looked into the detail of the appliance, the installer has much less work to do investigating whether the appliance and individual installation circumstances are compatible with the various requirements. Consequently, choice and installation should be much easier as they won’t have to chase the manufacturer or other relevant bodies for information.

At HETAS we’re committed to ever better practice in the use of biomass and other solid fuels and as such, we’re trying to make it as easy as possible for installers to support their customers in making the cleanest, safest and most efficient choices.