Frequently Asked Questions

Cleaner Fuels Announcement

No doubt you will have all seen some misleading headlines about a possible ban on wood stoves. Here, we identify the truth behind the headlines and what you can tell customers who might have seen the headlines.

The new strategy, which went out for consultation during August 2018, is a key part of Defra’s 25 Year Plan to leave our environment in a better state than we found it. HETAS and Woodsure have all been consulting with Defra for some time now and once again Defra has clarified they are not looking to implement a ban on wood stoves.

On Friday 21st February 2020 Defra announced their response to their cleaner domestic burning of solid fuels and wood consultation. The consultation took place between August and October 2018 and focused on England only.

On the 22nd May 2018 the Environment Secretary Michael Gove published the Clean Air Strategy 2018, which aims to cut air pollution and save lives, backed up through new primary legislation. What does the strategy say, and how will it impact you and your customers?

The Clean Air Strategy summarises actions to reduce emissions from domestic burning, clearly identifying there is no intention to ban wood burning stoves. Here are the key points:

The strategy also suggests Defra will give local authorities powers to go further in areas of high pollution, for example exploring what further steps government can take to enable local authorities to encourage ‘no burn days’ during high-pollution episodes.

• Legislate to prohibit sale of the most polluting fuels.
• Ensure that only the cleanest stoves are available for sale by 2022.
• Give new powers to local authorities to take action in areas of high pollution, bringing legislation into the 21st century with more flexible, proportionate enforcement powers.
• Work with industry to identify an appropriate test standard for new solid fuels entering the market.
• Ensure that consumers understand what they can do to reduce their impact from burning.

The answer is often yes. Whilst there is no regulation requiring every existing chimney to be lined, your installer must satisfy themselves that the chimney is free from defects and suitable for its intended use.

If any work undertaken on the chimney, including installation of a new liner, is done in conjunction with the installation of a heating appliance, then the work is a controlled service and must be undertaken by a competent person or approved by your local area building control.

Chimneys are lined for a number of safety reasons. New chimneys may require relining to suit the fuel type being used (a gas flue liner may not be suitable for other fuels). Chimney systems that predate 1965 will often require a modern lining solution for the following reasons:

• The flue may have lost integrity and can leak smoke into rooms or other parts of the building.
• Condensates or tar can seep through the chimney walls, causing staining, inside or outside the building.
• Lining with insulation included improves the operation of the appliance and flue — particularly important when the chimney is situated on an external wall.
• Defective flue systems may be eroded and rough. This will cause frictional resistance to the flow of the gases, resulting in poor updraught.
• Large flues over 200mm, particularly ones containing voids, may affect appliance performance. Some appliance manufacturers specify smaller flues for efficient operation.

There are three reasons why the existing chimney may need to be relined:

• A chimney will need to be relined if it is found to be unsound following the appropriate test by a skilled engineer.
• And/or if the cross-sectional area of the flue is too large or too small for the intended appliance.
• And/or any of the existing lining is found to be unsuitable for the proposed appliance type.

It is never OK to install a stove and not tell anyone. It is a legal requirement that either a registrant of a Competent Person self-certification scheme is used (and notifies the work via their scheme to the Local Authority); or a Building Notice is applied for from your Local Authority Building Control Dept. prior to installation (there is a Building Control fee for their service). We strongly recommend the installation is carried out by a HETAS registered installer to ensure the installation is safe and complies with relevant Building Regulations and Standards. The certificate of compliance will be needed if or when you move home.

Within reason, any property may be suitable irrespective of whether a chimney is present. In most properties without an existing chimney, a system chimney may be installed as opposed to building a new masonry chimney and may run within the property or externally, providing it is safe to do so. It would be good practice to seek an appraisal from your local HETAS registered installer.

Any solid fuel appliance fitted since April 2005 will require a document called a Certificate of Compliance. Check if the chimney has been swept and the appliance serviced. If not, have both of these things done.

Click the following link to read more: https://www.hetas.co.uk/consumer/certificate-of-compliance/

The certificate of compliance is normally provided by your solicitor, from the previous homeowner, during the purchasing/conveyancing process. If you have not received this document, please contact your solicitor or contact us for further support.

Lighting your stove in the most effective way could take a little bit of practice, but the following steps are a good guideline to follow: