If you are looking into buying a stove this winter you may well have heard the term SIA Ecodesign Ready.
At Charnwood we offer a good range of these stoves but what does this mean and how should it affect your choice? Here we try to answer some of your questions:
Q: What is Ecodesign?
It is a new European-wide programme to help lower emissions and improve air quality.
Q: When is the new Ecodesign regulation coming into force?
1st January 2022 across the UK and Europe. All products manufactured after 1st January 2022 will have to comply to Ecodesign regulations.
Q: What are Sia Ecodesign ready stoves?
Charnwood and some of the key manufacturers within the SIA (Stove Industry Alliance) have risen to the challenge of Ecodesign and have designed a number of stoves that meet the Ecodesign criteria now. These stoves carry the ‘SIA EcoDesign Ready’ label and all have been independently verified by HETAS.
Q: Is it really going to happen, especially given Brexit?
Yes it will happen. While this is European legislation all EU laws are being incorporated into UK law via the ‘EU Withdrawal Bill’. In Defra’s latest consultation document on fuel quality they also refer to Ecodesign 2022 confirming that they are expecting it.
Q: What are the key differences between non-compliant stoves and Ecodesign ready stoves?
Ecodesign products have to meet a set of clean-burning criteria:
Efficiency must be over 75%
Smoke particulates less than 40mg/m3
NOx less than 200 mg/m3
OGC less than 120 mg/m3
CO less than 0.12%
These figures are achieved by clever air management. At Charnwood we have developed an ultra clean burning technology called ‘Blu’ that exceeds all of the above figures ensuring an excellent burn while reducing emissions.
The graph shows how our All New Island I compares to non-compliant models. This stove is 85% efficient too.
Q: How do I know which stoves qualify for Ecodesign?
Check the official list of SIA EcoDesign Ready products which is independently verified.
Q: If it is DEFRA-exempted, is this better than Ecodesign?
There is no obvious correlation between Defra exemption and Ecodesign as they are tested very differently. As a general rule it is much more difficult to achieve Ecodesign than Defra Exemption whereas most Ecodesign Ready stoves will meet the criteria for Defra exemption.
Q: If it is Sia Ecodesign ready, does it mean it’s also DEFRA-exempt?
No not necessarily – so do check if you live in a smoke control area.
Q: Can non-Ecodesign stoves be used past 2022?
Yes – although the new Ecodesign stoves are much better for the environment and will burn less fuel. Most good manufacturers will be phasing out non compliance stoves from 2020
Q: Will I use more logs on an Ecodesign stove?
No, they are more efficient therefore should burn less wood.
Q: Do Ecodesign stoves really work as well – are they highly baffled?
We have heard that in some cases Ecodesign Ready stoves are not performing well. However our Charnwood ‘Blu’ technology ensures the stove meets the new requirements and burns BETTER than our non compliance models.
Q: How is the flame picture affected?
With Charnwood ‘Blu’ technology our flame pattern is more impressive than before.
Q: Can I burn mineral fuels in a Charnwood Ecodesign ready stove?
Yes – in the Charnwood Arc, Skye and the All New Island ranges.
