Recent headlines and media hype misinterpreting the Government’s 2019 Clean Air Strategy.
Your questions are answered here.....
ARE THEY BANNING STOVES AND FIRES?
No, not at all. The new legislation states however that all new stove or fire sales from 2022 do need to be Ecodesign models.
DO I HAVE TO BUY AN ECODESIGN STOVE NOW?
No – Until 2022, you can continue to buy from the full spectrum of products available. Only from January 2022 will you need to ensure the stove you purchase is an Ecodesign model.
ARE THEY BANNING THE BURNING OF WOOD OR SOLID FUELS?
The Strategy does intimate at a ban of certain fuels, i.e. high sulphur content house coals, and wet wood, favouring an educational approach to consumers to use more efficient "Ready to Burn" wood fuels.
CAN I KEEP USING MY EXISTING STOVES?
Yes - The Clean Air Strategy does not say there will be a ban on the use of wood or multi-fuel appliances, nor do you need to modify your appliance. We do recommend, however, to burn quality dry “Ready to Burn” wood, kiln dried wood or quality smokeless fuels.
DO I HAVE TO BUY WOODSURE READY TO BURN FUEL?
No, you can still buy or gather your own unseasoned wood, but you must ensure it has had time to season and has a moisture content no more than 20% before burning. Buy a moisture meter to check the wood you are burning or buy kiln dried wood.
ARE PRODUCTS GOING TO BE SPECIALLY TAXED?
No, there is nothing in the 2019 Clean Air Strategy indicating special taxation of either Ecodesign or non-Ecodesign products.
IS IT TRUE THAT WOOD BURNING IS ONE OF THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO POOR AIR QUALITY?
It is important to remember that the reported figures out there are including the large proportion of open fires and older stoves (40% nationwide and 70% in London). In comparison, an Ecodesign stove gives off 90% less particulate emissions than an open fire and 80% less than a 10-year-old stove and form a core part of the Clean Air Strategy. Read more here.
WHAT DOES ECODESIGN MEAN?
Any product bearing the Ecodesign Ready label meets or exceeds forthcoming stringent EU targets for emissions. These products are the next generation of clean burning, low emission fires, and as such have been recognised as a key part of the Clean Air Strategy by DEFRA. Ecodesign stoves and fires are being supported by the Mayor of London as a positive move towards improving air quality. More on ‘Ecodesign Ready’ stoves here.
DOES THE LEGISLATION AFFECT THE SALE OF OPEN FIRES AND FIREPLACES?
Yes - Open fires and fireplaces will no longer be able to be sold as solid fuel heating appliances after 2022.
ARE THERE MANY ECODESIGN MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM?
Yes – Read more about the models and see here our range available