The recent air quality episode in London has brought home the importance of improving air quality.

Burning wood is a source of particulate matter. Dr. Fuller of Kings College, London, has estimated that, in winter time wood burning accounts for around 10% of London PM emissions. The concentration of emissions, however, depends on how the wood is burnt.

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The 2015 DECC Domestic Wood Usage Survey revealed that 70% of the wood burnt in London is on open fires. Independent research conducted by Kiwa has shown that Ecodesign Ready stoves can reduce particulate emissions by 90% compared to an open fire and 80% compared to a stove of 10 years ago. The replacement of open fires with Ecodesign Ready stoves could significantly reduce the level of emissions from wood burning.

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Particulate emissions are organic particles that come from incomplete combustion of wood. Ecodesign Ready stoves have been engineered to burn wood more completely. The targeted introduction of combustion air at higher levels in the fire box of the stoves, reignites the particles of wood before they can leave the stove.

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Ecodesign Ready stoves can also lead to significant reductions in CO, NOx and Organic Gaseous Carbon compounds (OGC).

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Ecodesign is the European-wide programme to lower emissions. It is due to come into force in the UK in
2022. The main manufacturers in the SIA (Stove Industry Alliance) have developed stoves for sale that meet the lower emission limits now and will only manufacture Ecodesign compliant stoves from 2020, two years ahead of schedule. The stoves will be branded with the SIA Ecodesign Ready label that will inform consumers that the stove will meet the new stringent emission limits.

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Wood burning stoves are also making a significant impact on carbon reduction. Wood is a renewable energy and virtually carbon neutral.

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Coupled with the reduction in CO2 from burning logs in a stove means that Ecodesign Ready wood burning stoves can both deliver carbon savings and help improve air quality.

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HeatWorks Manufacturers that have released SIA EcoDesign 2022 Stoves:

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