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Please be aware that 95% of manchester and cheshire are in smoke controlled zones, therefore the majority of stoves will need to be DEFRA approved (legal requirement). This would be discussed with you on initial survey if you don't live in the catchment area. Just because you live in a smoke controlled area doesn’t mean you can’t have a woodburning stove . Authorised fuel and appliances allow anyone anywhere to have a wood burner as long as a DEFRA approved stove is installed.

A chimney liner is a channel which is inserted inside a chimney. A chimney liner is an important element of safety in your home. Listed below are some of the reasons you must have a chimney liner installed.

A Defra Approved stove, or to give it the correct name, a Defra Smoke Exempt Appliance, is a wood burning stove which has been tested and passed the UK Government's Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (Defra) criteria for emission levels and the amount of smoke that it will be allowed to produce during all stages of normal operation. 

Generally, a 'Defra Approved' stove has been modified by the manufacturer to limit the amount that it can be 'closed down' or in other words, by how much it can be starved of air which creates smoky combustion. A Defra Approved stove will therefore always provide the minimum level of combustion air so that the wood burns efficiently without producing unnecessary smoke, thus ensuring that the appliance complies with the Clean Air Act. A Defra Approved wood burner will therefore allow you to burn wood legally in a UK Smoke Control Area – most of the UK's cities and large towns.

SIA Ecodesign ready stoves are part of a  new scheme to increase environmental benefits of wood burning stoves. 

Air quality is extremley important and Ecodesign ready stoves will help reduce emmisions by 90%.                        

Ecodesign is a european wide programme to lower emissions and the new regulation will come into force in the UK in 2022. 

The Ecodesign ready scheme is supported by DEFRA and the SIA Ecodesign ready label will set the standard for the most environmentally friendly stoves today.

https://stoveindustryalliance.com/ecodesign-regulation/

What is primary air? 

This is the combustion air needed to 'feed the fire' and is generally delivered via a controllable air vent on the botom part of the door or stove

What is secondary air? (airwash)

Controllable air is collected through a front air intake and is 'washed' over the inside of the glass, helping to keep the stove glass cleaner for longer.

What is tertiary air? (cleanburn)

Tertiary air is brought into the rear of the stove and is circulated via internal ducting to pre-heat the air. it is then as it gains momentum injected via a row of factory machined holes into the top of the combustion chamber. This action causes the unburned gases and smoke particles to be re-ignited and burn again, producing extra heat and cleaner emissions.

Wood burning stoves have flat fuel beds because wood burns better on a flat bed of ash, with air for combustion coming from above. Multi fuel stoves are fitted with grates because coal and smokeless fuels need to burn on top of a grate, with air entering from beneath the fire and the remainder of the fuel falling through the bars. Multifuel stoves can burn wood too as they are also designed to allow you to build up a bed of ash upon which to burn logs should you wish.

Height x width x depth (in metres) divided x 14.

This is only an approximate figure and does not take into account the numerous other factors such as; the number of exterior walls, the construction of the building, how well insulated the property is, number of windows within the room or even whether there is a staircase off of the room.

"Government statistics have indicated that nationally 40% of wood is burnt on open fires. This rises to 70% when it comes to London, despite the fact that burning wood on an open fire is not permitted under the current Clean Air Act." - SIA (Stove Industry Alliance)

On the 22nd May 2018 the Environment Secretary Michael Gove published a Clean Air Strategy which aims to cut air pollution and save lives, backed up through new primary legislation. What does the strategy say and how will it impact you?

The new strategy is a key part of Defra’s 25 Year Plan to leave our environment in a better state than we found it. HETAS, Woodsure and The Stove Industry Alliance have all been consulting with Defra for some time now and once again Defra has clarified they are not looking to implement a ban on wood stoves.

The Clean Air Strategy summarises actions to reduce emissions from domestic burning, clearly identifying there is no intention to ban wood burning stoves. The key points:

• Legislate to prohibit sale of the most polluting fuels.
• Ensure that only the cleanest stoves are available for sale by 2022.
• Give new powers to local authorities to take action in areas of high pollution, bringing legislation into the 21st century with more flexible, proportionate enforcement powers.
• Work with industry to identify an appropriate test standard for new solid fuels entering the market.
• Ensure that consumers understand what they can do to reduce their impact from burning.

The strategy also suggests Defra will give local authorities powers to go further in areas of high pollution - for example exploring what further steps government can take to enable local authorities to encourage ‘no burn days’ during high-pollution episodes.

Published by HETAS on July 6th, 2018 

"Key to the Defra strategy is also educating homeowners to burn only wood with a moisture content below 20% and having their chimney swept on a regular basis by a registered chimney sweep. Following this advice will maximise the environmental benefits of a SIA Ecodesign Ready stove.

You can read the entire Clean Air Strategy here.  You will find wood burning stoves and the fuel used on them covered in Section 6 - Reducing Emissions At Home, specifically pages 58-63

To Summarise:

If you have an open fire - contact us for alternatives.  You should stop using this.

If your fire is over 10 years old or in poor condition - contact us to consider a new appliance, not all stoves over this age will need replacing.

If you are concerned regarding the fuel that you burn - we are able to advise and supply ready to burn fuel.

If you are looking for a new stove - we can guide you to the most efficient stoves on the market many of them already exceeding the 2022 requirements Clean Air Strategy.

Where do you stand if you already own a stove or are having one installed before 2022 and it doesn’t comply with the Clean Air Act?  We would suggest:

If the fire is under 10 years old, properly installed and in working order - you should carry on using it.  

If the fire is over 10 years old - have it serviced and give it a health check (we can do this for you). Compare its efficiency against news models. If it is similar or 70%+ and in good order - carry on using you fire.  

There is no legislation or restrictions in place to stop you using these appliances with good quality fuels.  Low efficiency appliances and those in poor order should be considered for replacement. 

We see the Clean Air Act as a very positive policy for our business and the environment, fully supporting the measures.  We are already working towards only selling stoves that meet these requirements by the end of 2020 - two years early.

Under the right circumstances, a wood burner can certainly save you money. According to the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA), a wood burner is 77% cheaper per kilowatt hour (kWh) to run than an electric fire, 29% cheaper than a gas fire, and around 43% and 50% cheaper than an oil and LPG fire.

Depending on the type of stove and your home, these savings can vary, but overall, it can be extremely economical to run.

Prevents Overheating of the Chimney and Lengthens Its Lifespan

A chimney liner protects the chimney liners masonry and joints from the heat of the fire. It also protects the chimney from the corrosion that can be inflicted by the acidic flue gases that emanate from the fire. By preventing overheating and corrosion, a chimney liner ensures a longer life for your chimney. A chimney that does not have a liner installed is constantly exposed to the gases, heat and smoke from the fire. Over time, these components erode the structure of the chimney. A degenerated chimney could result in gas leaks, higher chances of fire and energy losses.

Reduces Chances of a Fire

A chimney liner provides a strong lining inside the chimney that forms a barrier between the fire and the chimney and its surrounding elements. Woodwork and other structures in your home can easily catch fire if they are overheated. A chimney liner is therefore vital in the prevention of chimney fires that occur as a result of overheating in the chimney.

Improves Energy Efficiency

A chimney liner promotes better energy efficiency, because it helps the fire to burn brighter while minimizing loss of heat. It helps in maintaining an optimal air flow within the chimney. The need for adding fuel is reduced, and as a result, you can save significant amounts of energy.

Makes Fireplace Maintenance Easier

Chimney liners are much easier to clean and maintain as compared to the brick and mortar of a chimney without a liner. As a result, the chimney is more efficient and clean.

Available in Flexible or Rigid Materials

Metal chimney liners made of stainless steel. They are impervious to problems such as cracks and heat damage, which may be seen in clay and concrete chimney liners.

Prevents Toxic Gases Indoors

A fireplace can produce deadly gases such as carbon monoxide as a result of incomplete combustion. It is very important that you ensure that all such toxic gases are safely routed out of your home. In the absence of a chimney liner, these gases have a high chance of leaking back indoors and causing severe health problems in the inhabitants of the household. Severe carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. A chimney liner provides a safe outlet for the combustion gases that are produced as a result of the fire and efficiently exhausts these gases out of your home.

Reduces Soot and Creosote Buildup

A chimney liner effectively reduces the buildup of soot and creosote within the chimney. These substances are highly flammable and difficult to clean. Chimney liners thereby further enhance safety and simplify chimney maintenance.

A HETAS registered installer is a competent individual that is approved to self certify that their work meets and complies with current building regulations and approved document J. Most importantly you know that you and your family are in safe hands. If you were to use a company/builder that is not HETAS registered you must apply to your local building authority control department for a building notice. You will then be charged the relevant fee (sometimes up to £300).

After your installation is complete, the client will then receive a certificate of compliance. This legally required document is then used to validate your house insurance and will be requested from solicitors if you decide to sell your home. Another certificate of compliance is also then issued to HETAS, who will notify the local building authority control department on your behalf.

Please be aware just because a company is HETAS registered does not always guarantee quality well installed work. That is why you should use O'Neill Brickwork & Stove Installations

If you have already purchased your stove, or have a particular stove in mind with a supplier that you want to use then that is absolutely fine. As long as the stove is DEFRA approved, CE marked and meets all emissions testing.

Where possible I do prefer to supply you the stove as I can beat or at least price match any offer available online or in a shop. I can deal with the ordering, delivery to my unit, check the stove over and make sure we have all the relevant guarantees before the installation takes place.

I don’t have a showroom, but I have a strong reliable relationship with some local showrooms in the area as well as some online retailers.

I am able to source any stove available on the market. Each showroom sells different brands depending on what brand of eco ready stoves you are looking.

I can help you arrange to visit the appropriate showroom’s so you can see them in the flesh with many on live display.

I always prefer my customers to view the more premium eco ready stoves before committing to the installation. These premium brands being Clock, Dunsley, Contura, Heta, Rais & Woodwarm just to name a few.