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SIA tackles solid fuel stove
‘misinformation’
In response to what it calls ‘misinformation’ surrounding solid fuel appliances, The Stove Industry Association (SIA) has described modern sustainable solid fuel stoves as a very low emission, highly effi cient, low carbon, and cost-eff ective way to heat the main living space of a home, as long as they are used correctly.
T
he SIA has been responding to views expressed by the London Wood Burning Project and the Clean Air Hub which have criticised the use of wood burning stoves. Their arguments are as follows… The London Wood Burning Project has raised the alarm over small particles released by solid fuel burning and has warned that when inhaled, these can increase your risk of stroke, asthma, lung cancer, heart disease and dementia. The group believes that 284 premature deaths are attributable to domestic wood burning in London each year. The Clean Air Hub meanwhile has described lighting fi res in our homes as “the largest source of small particle air pollution in the UK”. It said: “Burning wood creates pollution inside and outside the home, which is dangerous for our health and the environment. Many people are unaware of the negative impacts of wood burning, even when using the most “eco-friendly” stoves or “ready to burn” wood.
In attempting to set the record straight, SIA members have been publishing blogs on information being circulated. Among these, Certainly Wood, Charnwood and Charlton & Jenrick are frustrated by what they term the negative narrative around the wood-burning stove industry, suggesting misleading claims and stats are being used to scare the public.
The SIA is emphatic that “a modern sustainable solid fuel stove used correctly is actually a very low emission, highly effi cient, low carbon, and cost- eff ective way to heat the main living space in your home and provide radiated warmth throughout the rest of your property.” A recent article in the Telegraph explains that despite information being circulated, the once- humble log burner has been fl ying off the shelves. More than a quarter of a million units were installed in British homes in the year to July 2023, as homeowners look for cheaper (and more rustic) alternatives to traditional heating systems. Andy Hill, chair of the SIA, said burners have seen a “massive” rise in popularity, fuelled fi rst by COVID and then the war in Ukraine. “Lots of people were spending their money on home improvements during the pandemic, and then the energy crisis made people look for ways to save money on their bills,” he explained. “A supply of wood or other sustainable solid fuel means your heating is bought and paid for and households can gauge exactly how much fuel they are using to stay warm. “People are also wanting grid-independence.
They’re worried that, if the grid goes down, can they heat their homes?” “A modern sustainable solid fuel stove can also
be benefi cial for older properties as they are highly eff ective at providing space heating and reducing condensation, helping to alleviate mould and damp. A real fi re can help promote feelings of warmth and security and provides a focal point for the whole family, in turn benefi tting mental wellbeing. “Scaremongering tactics about ‘domestic
combustion’ as a whole is unhelpful. Modern Eco- design compliant stoves burning dry wood make up a tiny fraction of UK particulate matter emissions – less than 0.1% in fact. Source: NAEI. “There are a whole host of human activities that
generate PM emissions, and the UK stove industry is committed to ensuring that its appliances are as clean and effi cient as possible. Using dry wood fuel is both sustainable and renewable; wood logs have the lowest carbon emissions factor of any domestic heating fuel at 0.01 kg CO2e per kWh. That’s 1/20th the carbon emissions of natural gas or electricity and 1/29th that of oil. Source:
www.gov.uk “There is a world of diff erence between an open
fi re and a modern stove designed for precision combustion and maximum effi ciency. Switching from an open fi re to a modern stove will reduce PM emissions by up to 90%. Burning dry wood (e.g. Ready to Burn certifi ed) in an Eco-design compliant stove (e.g. clearSkies certifi ed) makes up just 0.09% of total UK PM2.5 emissions. Source: NAEI. “Take care when choosing your appliance and
your fuel to ensure that you minimise emissions and maximise effi ciency. “Locally sourced wood fuel helps support small businesses and reduces the carbon footprint of fuel transport. It is a key component of the woodland management cycle and the economies attached to it. It also plays a key role in maintaining woodland diversity, health, and resilience. Unmanaged woodland is bad for wildlife. At present 42% of UK woodland is unmanaged. Source: Small Woods Association “At SFL, as part of the Sphering Group we are passionate about building on our 50 years of experience leading developments in the industry and producing the most effi cient fl ues and chimneys for the most effi cient stoves on the market. We too understand why people want to reduce PM2.5. As a committed company determined to play an active role towards the environment and society, Sphering, the Group has its own R&D centre: WeLab®. This facility has allowed the group to comply with the newest European standards (including the NZEB: nearly zero energy building) in terms of security and performance of appliances, but also to adopt a responsible innovation approach.”
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