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SOLIFTEC NEWS ARCHIVE
EU Domestic Appliance Performance
13/10/2007
The European Commission has announced a series of preparatory studies on the energy efficiency of domestic appliances. This is expected to lead, eventually, to stricter performance requirements. The study of small solid fuel heating appliances is being conducted by Bio Intelligence Service (France), AEA Technology (UK) and The Silesian University (Poland). A website has been set up (www.ecosolidfuel.org) and will soon include an opportunity for you to contribute to the study. I'll try and keep you informed.
Competent Persons Scheme
27/06/2007
The UK Department for Communities and Local Government has updated the official list of organisations authorised to certify competence in the installation of domestic solid fuel appliances. These now include...
APHC (Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (Certification) Limited www.aphc.co.uk 02476 470 626
Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA Limited) www.hvca.org.uk / www.besca.org.uk 0800 652 5533
HETAS Ltd (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) www.hetas.co.uk 01462 634721
NAPIT Registration Ltd www.napit.org.uk 0870 444 1392
NICEIC Group Ltd www.niceic.org.uk 0800 013 0900
A fuller explanation is on the Communites Website: http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1131138&syncNav=1#4
European harmonised standards
07/06/2007
As of 1 July 2007 the following industrial standards will become 'harmonised' and therefore compulsory throughout the European Union. All new appliances will be required to conform.
EN 12809:2001 Residential independent boilers fired by solid fuel - Nominal heat output up to 50 kW
EN 12815:2001 Residential cookers fired by solid fuel
EN 13229:2001 Inset appliances including open fires fired by solid fuels
EN 13240:2001 Room heaters fired by solid fuel For more information, see
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newapproach/standardization/harmstds/reflist/construc.html
UK Home Information Packs
19/05/2007
From June 1 2007, homes sold in the UK will require a 'Home Infomation Pack', including an energy usage report and rating. These will be developed from the procedure given at http://projects.bre.co.uk/sap2005/pdf/SAP2005.pdf which can give considerable advantage to homes fitted with closed solid fuel appliances capable of burning wood.
http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/
New UK Renewable Energy Grants
29/04/2007
There's a new Government grant scheme for low-carbon heating technologies on the way. (see http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/about/). Details haven't been finalised but it looks as if only appliances and installers registered with the scheme will be considered for government cash. Manufacturers and installers can pre-register now to be considered for inclusion in the scheme.
http://www.redbooklive.com/ukmicrogen.jsp
Forthcoming UK Legislation
30/03/2007
The UK Communities and Local Government Department have announced a schedule of new legislation for 2007. Of special interest may be... Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Amendment of the energy efficiency and competent person scheme provisions of the Building Regulations Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004
http://www.communities.gov.uk/pub/225/StatementofForthcomingRegulations2007_id1506225.pdf
DEFRA Energy and carbon saving calculations
29/03/2007
The UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has published a draft of new Energy, cost and carbon saving calculations.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/eec3-2007/index.htm
Caution on Climate Risks
28/03/2007
Professors Paul Hardaker and Chris Collier of The Royal Meteorological Society have criticised the 'overplaying' of global warming, potentially damaging the credibility of all climate science.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/6460635.stm
SOLIFTEC NEWS - EU Action Plan for Energy Efficiency
23/11/06
A European Action Plan for energy reduction proposes stricter requirements for heating appliances and buildings, with a move towards zero-energy dwellings. It expects heating product labelling to be compulsory by 2008. There's more information at: http://www.soliftec.com/euplan2006.htm This may have significant implications for the solid fuel/wood burning sector.SOLIFTEC NEWS - UK Government 'The Energy Efficiency of Dwellings' Report
08/11/06
Shows that relatively simple home improvements, such as cavity wall insulation, could save around 7M tonnes of carbon a year. There's more information at: www.soliftec.com/buildingefficiency.htmSOLIFTEC NEWS - UK Stern Report on Climate Change
30/10/06
Sir Nicholas Stern's report into the economic consequences of climate change suggests that the global economy could shrink by a fifth unless drastic action is taken - including a move towards renewable energy sources, for which he recommends support for energy R+D be at least doubled and support for deployment should increase five-fold.
There's more information at: http://www.soliftec.com/sternreport2006.htmSOLIFTEC NEWS - BBC UK Fuel Bill Analysis
23/10/06
The cost of powering British homes has risen dramatically in recent years.
Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456986/html/default.stmSOLIFTEC NEWS - Britain tops energy waste league
23/10/06
The UK is Europe's worst energy waster, with the problem to cost £11bn by 2010, a study says.
Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/1/hi/uk/6075794.stmSOLIFTEC NEWS - Fuel cost and carbon emissions - spreadsheet and example
19/10/2006
SOLIFTEC issue new spreadsheet to calculate energy costs and carbon emissions:
www.soliftec.com/fuelcost.htmSOLIFTEC NEWS - UK planning law on climate change
13/10/2006
A bill covering climate change and cuts in carbon dioxide emissions is being considered by the government.
Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6045680.stmSOLIFTEC NEWS - Stove Performance Data Sheets
12/10/2006
In response to requests from several appliance manufacturers, a worksheet is now available to assist in preliminary evaluation of stove performance at www.soliftec.com/documentsindex.htm
This accompanies the information page on evaluating stove performance (www.soliftec.com/StovePerformance.pdf)SOLIFTEC NEWS - Carbon Trust Grants
12/10/2006
The UK Carbon Trust are holding a free 'Applied Research and Incubation Workshop' in Central Birmingham on 23 November 2006 to provide practical information on Applied Research grants and the Incubation Support scheme for low-carbon technologies. Anyone interested should email events_team@carbontrust.co.uk
SOLIFTEC NEWS - New Fire Safety Order
05/10/2006
The new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) becomes the new law in October 2006. The main effect of the changes will be a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises. Fire certificates will be abolished and will cease to have legal status. The Fire Safety Order will apply in England and Wales. (Northern Ireland and Scotland will have their own laws.) More information is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1124877
SOLIFTEC NEWS - Solid Fuel Safety in Thatched Properties
02/10/2006
A document has now been agreed with the National Society of Master Thatchers and is available for review at http://www.soliftec.com/quarantine.htm.
Appliance and flue manufacturers, thatchers and installers are especially asked for their comments on this important safety matter before the document is made public.
SOLIFTEC NEWS - Guide To The Building Regulations
28/09/2006
A handy guide for those perplexed by the England and Wales buiding regulations is now available online from the Department for Communities and Local Government at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1131116
SOLIFTEC NEWS - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
28/09/2006
Philip Malkin of Fires & Fireplaces draws our attention to the Parliamentary report on gas safety, to which Jane Heginbotham of the Solid Fuel Association contributed, (available from http://www.gassafetygroup.org.uk/publications.php ) which points out that 469 people died from CO poisoning in the UK in 2002 and that while only a very tiny proportion of these may be attributed to solid fuel appliances there is a worrying 'statistical vacuum' in our industry.
SOLIFTEC NEWS - Evaluating Stove Performance
07/09/2006
A new Information sheet is available on 'Evaluating Stove Performance' at http://www.soliftec.com/documentsindex.htm . This outlines some simple methods of assessing the efficiency and heat output of closed solid fuel appliances. If you find any errors or omissions, please do email Glyn Hughes at info@soliftec.com. Like all Soliftec documents this is completely royalty-free for you to copy, alter and use as you wish.
SOLIFTEC NEWS - Competent Persons Scheme
The UK Department for Communities and Local Government has updated the official list of persons competent to supervise the installation and solid fuel appliances. These are:
HETAS Ltd (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme)
www.hetas.co.uk
01462 634721
Building Engineering Services Competence Accreditation (BESCA Limited)
www.hvca.org.uk / www.besca.ork.uk
0800 652 5533
NAPIT Certification Ltd
www.napit.org.uk
0870 444 1392
The full list can be viewed at http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1131138 .
SOLIFTEC NEWS - Building Research Technical Report on flues
The UK Department for Communities and Local Government has made available a Building Research Technical Report called 'Location of flues to prevent ingress of gas and oil firing flue gases under all weather conditions'. Although principally concerned with oil and gas installations, it may be equally useful for solid fuel flues and chimneys.
The document is available at http://www.publications.odpm.gov.uk/pubdetails.asp?pubid=2033
SOLIFTEC NEWS - New Soliftec data sheet
A new Soliftec Information page of general data and formulae for solid fuel engineers is available for review and comments at www.soliftec.com/quarantine.htm
SOLIFTEC NEWS - UK 'HOME INFORMATION PACKS'
28/08/2006
It has been announced that this delayed scheme is now due to re-start in June 2007 and is likely to include the need for inspection of solid fuel appliances, fireplaces and chimneys. There is more information about this announcement at the UK Government Communities website http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501921 , and a dedicated website at www.homeinformationpack.gov.uk
SOLIFTEC NEWS - 5% UK VAT on certain wood appliances now agreed
31/08/2006
More than a year after the Chancellor announced a 5% VAT rate for wood-fired boilers we have finally agreed how this is to be interpreted and implemented.
In essence, the 5% rate will apply to the supply AND the installation, in non-commercial premises, of ALL wood-only appliances with boilers having a water output above 7.5kW. The full agreed statement, with some examples, is available at http://www.soliftec.com/5vat.htm
SOLIFTEC NEWS - UK Coal now in profit
06/09/2006
UK Coal announces profits for the first time since 2003. Full story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5319532.stm
SOLIFTEC NEWS - Register Update
06/09/2006
The Register of Domestic Solid Fuel Appliances has been updated to include more manufacturers and more detailed information. It is available at http://www.soliftec.com/theregister.htm. In particular, note the smoke emission figures from New Zealand appliances. If you are aware of any mistakes or omissions please email Glyn Hughes at info@soliftec.com