Ecodesign Regulations for solid fuel local space heating appliances came into force in the UK on 1st January 2022

Although much of the attention has been focused on wood burning, the regulations apply to all solid fuel stoves, including boiler stoves. Having said that, the manufacturer must declare the fuel that will be used in the stove. The designated fuel must be tested with the stove. A multi fuel stove designated to burn coal will have a separate set of results to the same stove with wood. Most manufacturers will declare and test their stoves with wood.

In addition to minimum energy requirements, the regulations cover a broad range of emissions:

Particulate Matter (PM10 & PM2.5), CO₂, NOx, OGC (organic gaseous compounds) and CO. The new emission limits are significantly lower and more comprehensive than those required for Defra Exemption. The table below illustrates the reduction in emission limits for CO and PM. (NOx and OGC were not measured before Ecodesign). The reduction in the CO limit is 88% and the reduction in PM is 55%.

Based on these reductions it can be seen that Ecodesign will lead to a significant improvement in UK air quality.

The minimum net efficiency levels will effectively increase to 40% for an open fire and to 75% for closed stoves.

The efficiencies are calculated using a calculated “seasonal space heating efficiency”. For stoves, this is a 4% increase in efficiency.

Unlike the requirements for Defra Exemption, which only applies to smoke control areas, Ecodesign regulations apply to the whole country, so no matter where a new stove is to be installed it must comply with Ecodesign.

It is now illegal to manufacture after 1st January 2022 that do not comply with Ecodesign. However, stoves that are already in the supply chain (e.g. manufacturers’, distributors’, retailers’ warehouses or retailers’ showrooms) can still be sold and there is no legal requirement to update existing stove installations. An Ecodesign Enforcement Team has been set up within the National Measurement Office to verify that products manufactured comply with the regulations.

In addition, stoves will have to have an energy label. This label is referred to as the Ecolabel. The requirement to display the Ecolabel came into force before Ecodesign, on 1st January 2018.

Since 2018 all stoves displayed in a retailer’s showroom need to be displayed with its Ecolabel. Manufacturers must include a printed label in the stove packaging with a minimum of information in instructions or on a specification sheet.

Advertisements, brochures and technical material should include the A to G energy efficiency class for that model.

Similarly, product offers of sale through the Internet must display the energy label.

Modern stoves will typically be in band A and A+. For comparison an open fire will typically be in band G.