The very latest in clean-burning technology!
The European Union (inc the UK) have adopted new rigorous standards for bio-mass heating appliances referred to as Ecodesign which includes wood-burning stoves and pellet stoves. This standard will take effect on 1st January 2022, which may seem far off—but why bring it up now, and how does it relate to South African heating appliances?
Why is Ecodesign Relevant?
Wood-burning stoves are now providing cleaner and more efficient ways to burn solid fuels. Wood is the popular choice of fuel here in South Africa. South African homes (both modest and grand) favour solid fuel heating and wood-burners are popular.
The new Ecodesign regulations focus strongly on raising not only the ‘efficiency’ of a wood-burning or biomass stove but (more importantly) lowering the emissions of hazardous gases and particulates that cause air-pollution.
Particulates from a variety of pollutants (inc wood-burning stoves) cause this:
Here is a regular sight over Cape Town. Yellow smog created by a variety causes, one of which (not the greatest by any means) is wood fires. Other cities throughout South Africa face similar issues.
According to 2016 statistics from the World Bank, air pollution in South Africa causes up to 20,000 deaths per year. Although South Africa lags behind Europe in environmental policy, South Africans will eventually need to make adjustments to improve air quality in their cities.
Given the enthusiasm for wood-burning stoves now in SA, it is only appropriate that part of your investment decision when considering which stove to purchase should include how ‘clean’ it REALLY is.
Under the new Ecodesign regulations, manufacturers must ensure that any solid fuel heating appliance sold in Europe significantly reduces its environmental impact. How?
- Thermal Efficiency. A minimum standard of 75% on all stoves. This is not difficult to achieve if you are happy to compromise on particulate emissions. It is quite a different story when you have to reduce particulate emissions at the same time as raising efficiencies.
- Carbon Monoxide Emissions. The burning process emits this poisonous gas.The latest standard has lowered acceptable emissions by nearly 90% from the the previous figure. This is no mean feat for the stove manufacturers to achieve!
- Particulate (Dust) Emissions. Less than 40mg per cubic metre. Again, a dramatic reduction in the current levels of particulates allowable under current EU standards will be required.
- Organic Gaseous Carbon compounds (OCG) and Nitrogen Oxides. The new Ecodesign parameters have further restricted both contributors to poor air quality.
The good news is that all responsible European manufacturers (like Charnwood) who wish to distribute their products in Europe and Africa will be required to meet these standards so your European product should comply by default at some point in the future. Products from outside the EU or UK will not be required to comply and some (hopefully very few) European manufacturers may choose to forgo the regulations for products sold outside the EU, although this would be very irresponsible.
The BEST news is that Charnwood already produce a series of stoves to meet the rigorous standards of Ecodesign 2022 NOW! All models that receive the UK ‘Clear Skies’ mark meet and exceed the requirements of Eco-Design 2022. Click below for more details::
By purchasing a Charnwood ‘Blu’ edition stove you are making the responsible choice in solid fuel heating!
Click below to see how the Ecodesign ready Charnwood ‘Skye’ operates: