Choosing a logburner
Because of the Clean Air Act of 2019 (which is constantly under revision), DEFRA and the government believe that the 'greenest' stoves are the ones that are Eco-design ready with A or A+ energy labels. These stoves are starting to be labelled as 3 and above on the CleanSkies scale.
You can also consider how far the stove has travelled or how large is its carbon footprint. There are no current bodies looking into this so we believe that the 'greenest' options here are stoves made in the UK. 100% steel stoves that are made in the UK have the lowest footprint but most are made of a mixture of steel and cast iron. Compare logburner manufacturers.
We have contacted lots of UK stove manufacturers, to try to compare the carbon footprint of stoves that we install, and have found so that 100% steel stoves that are made in the UK have the lowest footprint. For more information visit our greener choices page.
Companies that have been currently forthcoming with information are to the left. Please bear in mind we are still collating information and awaiting responses. To be kinder to the planet you also need to be avoiding coal and only buying wood that is seasoned properly and is either from UK tree surgeons or sustainable forests.
New Labelling
There are a few new labelling systems that you will see whilst browsing for wood burners and multifuel stoves. These are to help you compare and choose appliances but can be confusing if the shopping websites don't use them.
HETAS Cleaner Choice symbol indicates a clean burning appliance for your wood stove, multi-fuel or bio-mass installation. The HETAS Cleaner Choice Approval Scheme is unique in that HETAS is a third party independent and impartial certification body that relies on first-hand review of test data from in checking that each appliance meets, and often, exceeds some of the most stringent limits set by tested standards and test methods.
Clean Skies Mark symbol indicates the stove has met the standards of Eco-design and exceeded them. Because of this a new labelling scheme is in place to clearly show consumers when comparing woodburners.
Level 5 - the best rating. The woodburner is at least 15% more efficient and has 15% less emissions than level 4 stoves. Also DEFRA approved.
Level 4 - Stove has 15 % improvement on level 3 appliances. Also DEFRA approved.
Level 3 - Meets Eco-design standards and is DEFRA approved.
Level 2 - Meets Eco-design standards (just)
Eco-design Compliant means that a woodburner has met the 5 regulation requirements for emissions and efficiency.
These requirements are much stricter than ever before, even for DEFRA approved models. All newly manufactured stoves must meet these standards since 2020. Second hand stoves are unlikely to be Eco-compliant. Visit the Stove Industry Alliance website for more information. The SIA are an association of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers, advisory/test house bodies, sweep associations and other parties that exists to promote and explain the benefits of wood-burning stoves and biomass appliances.
