HEATING, VENTILATION AND SERVICES
A modern approach
With the controversy over wood burning stoves, FCA’s ennis illigan explains why it is worth looking at the benefi ts of modern stoves.
C
ombined with quality wood, modern stoves offer signifi cant benefi ts that align with reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.
At the start of the Scottish
overnment changed the law on the use of bioenergy heating systems in new builds and amended the Scottish ew uild eat Standard (S) to allow bioenergy systems, including wood burning stoves, to be installed in all new homes and in existing buildings that are being converted. he minister heralded it as a common sense and progressive step. he Scottish overnment now considers the combustion of biomass to produce net ero C2
emissions at the
point of use. Wood fuel is a renewable resource that, when sourced sustainably, is a very low carbon option for heating. he carbon dioxide released during combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by trees during their growth, making wood fuel an extremely low C2
energy source, with the
biogenic carbon content being carbon neutral. he sustainable nature of wood burning comes from the fact logs are generally the offcuts that come from pruning trees. Woodlands need to be managed to stay healthy and part of that management is pruning. When used together, modern wood
burning stoves and heat pumps can provide a comprehensive and fl exible heating option and perhaps the most costeffective solution to decarbonising domestic heat. Stoves can complement heat pumps by providing additional warmth during extremely cold periods. With the pressure to reduce particle emissions, it is often overlooked that modern wood burning stoves burn wood more effi ciently and cleanly than open fi res and older stoves. he use of modern wood burning results in signifi cantly lower levels of PM2.5 emissions. When choosing a stove, it is worth checking out the independently verifi ed Clear Skies website. Clear Skies can help you identify stoves that produce fewer emissions, including those that are
suitable for use in smoke control areas. Secondary heating is not regarded as essential in the SAP assessment, used to measure the energy effi ciency of a house design. SA focuses on primary central heating systems like heat pumps. However, this does not mean that a stove cannot be added to a house design. n many households secondary heating is an important part of the heating mix, especially in areas off the gas grid. n the early autumn and late spring, when it is not cold enough to ustify turning on the central heating system a wood burning stove can be used to keep the whole house warm. As the operation of a stove is independent of the national grid it can be used in a power cut, providing welcome heat.
t is generally accepted that the
warm glow of a fi re creates a feeling of wellbeing. n addition to these psychological benefi ts wood burning stoves are a cost effective way to heat your home. uring the cost of living crisis, when energy costs dramatically increased, the sales of modern wood burning stoves grew signifi cantly. When designing your new home, it is necessary to think about the heating system. Stoves reuire a fl uechimney and to work effectively the route of the fl uechimney should be planned.
he draw in the chimneyfl ue is even important with modern wood burning stoves. ost people’s desire is to make the fl uechimney as discrete as possible inside the building. his needs to be balanced with the need to keep the fl ue chimney as straight as possible. he draw in fl ueschimneys rely on the pressure differential between inside and outside the building to release the products of combustion to the atmosphere. ends in the fl uechimney can restrict the fl ow of the gases. Where bends are required to suit the design of the dwelling, the number of bends should be kept to a minimum and not exceed more than four. he angle of the bends should not be greater than from the vertical, and horiontal lengths should be avoided. nsulation is another key factor in keeping the fl ue gases above the dew point. Clay, concrete and pumice fl ue liners reuire insulation to be prepared and added onsite. Stainless steel system chimneys are supplied with effective insulation. ouble wall pumice chimney systems have an air gap between the walls of the inner and outer blocks. he air gap combined with the natural insulating properties of pumice provide effective insulation.
Stoves operate under what is referred to as negative pressure, so if you are installing a ventilation system it is important to keep the room in which the stove is to be installed under negative pressure. ncluding a wood burning stove with a heat pump can provide a versatile hybrid heating system, able to deal with fl uctuating temperature conditions. f you consider installing a stove, remember the fl uechimney reuirements and incorporate them into the house design. he FCA is the ’s only trade association representing the chimney and fl ue industry and works closely with the government, public bodies and other organisations to further the interest of the chimney and fl ue industry. t represents the maority of manufacturers and sole distributors in the industry.
Dennis Milligan is President at BFCMA 43
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