30 A BACKUP PLAN: THE ROLE OF SECONDARY HEATING IN FUTURE HOMES STANDARD COMPLIANCE
A Backup Plan: The Role of Secondary Heating in Future Homes Standard Compliance
A
round table held in London this autumn was an opportunity to share rarely-heard messages to the housebuilding sector on why modern wood burning stoves should be on the
menu for new homes, as a ‘backup’ measure given our increasing reliance on electricity going forward. The event followed the Government announcement that wood burning stoves would be permitted as secondary heating in homes under the Future Homes Standard, despite protests from pressure groups as well as some local authorities even banning their use.
Delegates asserted why modern stove systems are able to provide
the ‘clean heat’ required, alongside carbon savings such as from heating rooms as required, as well as affordable warmth. While the industry awaits the delayed Future Homes Standard, the news that wood stoves will be an option, particularly for homes vulnerable to future grid issues, was a victory for the stoves industry. With over 10 million homes currently thought to have secondary heating of some kind, it’s arguable that the option is going to be an expectation of substantial numbers of homebuyers.
Sponsored by manufacturers Charlton & Jenrick, Jotul UK and Percy Doughty, the event saw experts in the fi eld, housebuilders and consultants discuss the options for housebuilders. Held at the Institute of Directors in London, the round table was another lively discussion, airing the issues, challenges and solutions, including possible future power outages and rising electricity prices meaning secondary heating may be essential for some customers. Delegates gave a real-world perspective on the various broad-based as well as specifi c practical considerations for housebuilders. There was agreement on shortcomings in Government policy in terms of consumers’ aspirations, and the need to counteract misinformation around perceived air quality risks of modern systems. The group looked at how solutions could now provide attractive and functional focal points for mainstream housing, and were not merely an aesthetic ‘luxury.’ Our sponsors provided some key questions to the group, including how manufacturers could work with designers to achieve specifi cations that balance resilience, comfort, and compliance.
ROUND TABLE ATTENDEES • James Parker, (Event Chair) & Managing Editor, Housebuilder & Developer
• Danielle Michalska-Morris, Director of Research & Technical Innovation, Taylor Wimpey
• Calvin May, Head of Technical & Certifi cation, HETAS • Jason Harries, Head of Woodsure • Erica Malkin, Executive Director, Stove Industry Association • James Verlaque, Director of Policy, Regulation & Technical, Stove Industry Association
• Dennis Milligan, British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association, FETA & NHIC
• Ruoyang Yuan, Lecturer, Off-Grid Heating, Supergen Bioenergy Hub (University of Sheffi eld)
• Naomi Sadler, Director, Sadler Energy & Environmental (SEES)
• Neil Holland, Chairman, UK Pellet Council
ROUND TABLE SPONSORS • Simon Bower, Technical Director, Percy Doughty • Peter Mintoft, Managing Director, Charlton & Jenrick • Mark Ryan, Managing Director, Jotul UK
A majority of the group had a shared goal of trying to encourage wider acceptance of wood-burning stoves in volume housebuilding. So naturally, the discussion moved beyond the established case for stoves, to how to spread the word to housebuilders, avoiding a defensive stance in the face of continued protests and stigmatising.
The hot debate around consumer expectations
The discussion focused on the role of secondary heating, particularly wood burning stoves, in supporting UK house builders as they transition to low-carbon heating, and given the confi rmation from the Department of Housing in April 2025 that wood burning stoves would be permitted as secondary heating under the Future
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