SPONSORED EDITORIAL

Most of us love a roaring fire on a wood burning stove but are they bad for us? This Kent company explains why they’re not.

A nice fire epitomises all that is cosy and welcoming, regardless of whether it’s keeping us warm on a cold winter night or crisp summer evening in the garden.

But did you know that fireplaces in London were very recently close to being put out forever following reports that claimed emissions from wood burning stoves can be harmful?

Even earlier this year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan demanded more power to ban burning wood in parts of the city with poor air quality.

This led to the UK cementing its decision to continue working with the EU and embrace the Ecodesign as part of the UK’s Clean Air Strategy.

That means that all companies in the UK and the EU selling or manufacturing stoves after Ecodesign comes into full effect in 2022 will be obliged to meet stringent requirements.

Some retailers - including Ashford based Grate Stoves & Fire - are already ahead of the game.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT STOVES AND FIREPLACES AT GRATE STOVES & FIRES

“All stock would become redundant in the event of non-compliance with the Ecodesign measures which is why we make sure our products are up to scratch,” said Chris Rawlinson, who is the Director of Grate Stoves & Fires.

“There was a misconception in the wake of the Mayor of London’s comments, especially in some media circles, that all stoves and fireplaces pollute the air. This is simply isn’t true.

“Environmentally-friendly stoves like Ecodesign stoves slash emissions by up to 90%!”

But it isn’t just about the stove. The type of fuel being burned also makes a massive difference.

Burning unsuited material like scrap wood that was used in construction can release additional chemicals into the atmosphere while damp wood releases plumes of soot and smoke.

The UK governments ‘Clean Air Strategy’ works closely with ‘Woodsure Ready to Burn’ measures which approve wood and coal that are ‘ready to burn’ and come with the seal of approval badge.

Woodsure Ready to Burn is a part of HETAS the regulating body of stove installations and is approved by DEFRA which is the government's department of environment and rural affairs.

“To put it simply, the stoves we sell are some of the cleanest going and really minimise emission particles ,” added Chris.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT STOVES AND FIREPLACES AT GRATE STOVES & FIRES

“For example, we sell Chilli Penguin Stoves who have developed a unique Ecodesign clean burn system. They will be taking this technology across their range.”

This system basically burns fuel more efficiently and puts less harmful gases into the atmosphere.

Chilli Penguin Stoves are one of the first companies in the UK to use a catalytic converter in their wood stoves.

Catalytic converters chemically convert harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon gases that are oxidised into carbon dioxide and water.

They also have a superheating effect, which burns off the solid particles in smoke.

The 2022 Ecodesign standard requires that the particulates in smoke are reduced to under 40 mg/m3.

The Chilli Penguin Woody Eco, with catalytic converter has reduced these particulates to 11mg/m3, almost 75% less than the standard.

Grate Stoves & Fires is a family run stove and fireplace shop based in Aylesham near Canterbury and Ashford.

The team has been fitting stoves, liners and chimney systems for over 15 years.

For more information about Grate Stoves & Fires, visit their official website by clicking here or email warm@gratestovesandfires.co.uk.