HETAS is the independent UK body recognised by DEFRA for the official testing and approval of domestic solid fuels, solid fuel burning appliances and associated equipment and services. The HETAS Guide contains approved chimney and flue products.
There are many good reasons for appliances, fuels and equipment to be approved and for there to be a publicly available database of the approved products:-
With the huge drive to look at greener heating and hot water solutions the UK Building Regulations have put in place a number of requirements e.g. "must meet a minimum required efficiency"; and, for replacements must be no more than 2% less efficient than the previous appliance, and also be on a SEDBUK database giving seasonal efficiencies – See the HETAS Guide to Approved Products and Services
The appliance manufacturer needs to demonstrate that it’s appliances can be fitted in accordance with Building Regulations, the Approved Document L and that claimed efficiencies are reliable. HETAS Approval is the simple way of giving independent certification of these efficiencies.
This is as much a marketing tool as a demonstration of compliance with standards and regulations
The only certified publicly available database containing independently verified appliance data, and therefore the only visible means to achieve this is the HETAS Guide and web based database. This is a route that is accepted by Government to demonstrate that the manufacturer’s figures are verified by an independent third party.
HETAS also offers a simple declaration form and process that supports manufacturers in getting their appliances on the official SEDBUK database.
HETAS is an independent body (company limited by guarantee - not for profit) serving the solid fuel, solid biomass and wood burning industry and therefore offers an independent verification process. The cost of this independent verification is modest for the benefits provided.
For further information please email info@hetas.co.uk, or telephone us on 0845 6345626.
It is important that the right fuels are used in appliances. For this reason HETAS lists a variety of approved fuels.
