Erica Malkin of the Stove Industry Association highlights the advantages of modern wood-burning stoves and the important role they play in the UK’s low carbon heating strategy.
In the evolving landscape of home heating, house builders and developers are increasingly tasked with balancing efficiency, environmental impact, and consumer demand.
Modern wood-burning stoves are designed to meet stringent environmental standards, significantly reducing emissions compared to open fires and older stove models. Open fires, while aesthetically pleasing, are notorious for their inefficiency and high levels of particulate emissions.
In contrast, modern stoves that comply with Ecodesign regulations emit up to 90% fewer particulates than open fires, and up to 80% less than many older stoves. This significant reduction is achieved through advanced combustion technology that ensures more complete burning of the fuel, thereby minimising the release of harmful pollutants.
Heating a home with a wood-burning stove offers significant low carbon benefits, making it an attractive option for UK housebuilders and developers focused on sustainability. Wood is a renewable and sustainable fuel source, as it can be replenished through responsible forestry practices. When sourced locally, wood also has a lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels, reducing transportation emissions. The carbon dioxide emitted during combustion is offset by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the trees. By incorporating wood-burning stoves into new builds, developers can provide homeowners with a low carbon heating solution that supports the UK’s transition to a greener future.
Maximising Heat Output
Modern stoves are designed to maximise heat output. With efficiency rates of up to 85%, when used correctly, these stoves ensure that more of the heat generated is used to warm the home. This is achieved through better insulation and controlled airflow, which allows for more efficient combustion. For developers, this translates to lower energy costs for homeowners and a more sustainable heating option.
Energy Resilience
The economic advantages of modern stoves extend beyond efficiency. In the face of increasing energy grid constraints and the potential for power cuts, wood-burning stoves offer a reliable and resilient heating solution for UK homes. Unlike electric heating systems, modern wood-burning stoves can operate independently of the grid, ensuring that homes remain warm and comfortable even during outages. For housebuilders and developers, incorporating wood-burning stoves into new builds not only enhances energy security but also provides homeowners with peace of mind, knowing they have a dependable source of heat regardless of external power supply issues. This makes wood-burning stoves an attractive feature in the design and marketing of sustainable, resilient homes.
The Role of the Stove Industry Association
The Stove Industry Association (SIA) plays a pivotal role in promoting the benefits of modern stoves and advocating for their inclusion in the UK’s low carbon heating strategy. The SIA works closely with policymakers to ensure that wood-burning stoves are being recognised as a viable and sustainable heating option.
One of the key initiatives of the SIA is to provide evidence-based research on the environmental and economic benefits of modern stoves. This research is crucial in informing policy decisions and ensuring that regulations support the use of efficient and low-emission heating solutions.
The SIA’s advocacy efforts have been instrumental in shaping policies that support their use. The Association played a crucial role in overturning the ban on wood-burning stoves in new build properties in Scotland. By presenting evidence on the environmental benefits and efficiency of modern stoves, the SIA successfully argued that these appliances are a low carbon heating option. Their advocacy highlighted the importance of wood-burning stoves for rural communities, particularly during power outages. This has led to the Scottish government overturning the restrictions and reviewing the New Build Heat Standard.
Supporting the Low Carbon Heating Strategy
The inclusion of wood-burning stoves in the UK’s low carbon heating strategy is essential for achieving the country’s climate goals. The SIA advocates for the recognition of domestic wood-burning as part of a diversified approach to low carbon heating. This approach includes a mix of technologies such as heat pumps, solar thermal systems, and biomass boilers. The use of modern wood burning stoves supports a balanced and flexible strategy that can adapt to different housing needs and regional variations in energy resources.
Practical Considerations for Builders & Developers
For housebuilders and developers, the choice of heating systems is a critical aspect of design and construction. Modern stoves offer several practical advantages that make them an attractive option for new builds and renovations.
Modern stoves are versatile and can be installed in a variety of settings, including homes without existing chimneys. This flexibility allows developers to incorporate stoves into a wide range of architectural designs. The aesthetic appeal of modern stoves can also enhance the marketability of properties, appealing to buyers who value both style and sustainability.
Modern wood-burning stoves offer a sustainable, efficient, and resilient heating solution for new builds and renovations. With their low emissions and high efficiency, they align with the UK’s low carbon heating strategy and offer a range of environmental benefits and practical advantages. By incorporating modern wood-burning stoves, developers can meet consumer demand for a real fire while supporting the transition to a greener future. These stoves not only enhance energy security but also add aesthetic and market value to properties, making them a smart choice for sustainable home heating.
Erica Malkin is communications manager & treasurer of the Stove Industry Association