The end of August draws us ever closer to the upcoming heating season – I’m sure many of you have already begun to receive calls and bookings from customers regarding annual services and sweeps. As the heating season begins, we are continuing to inform stove users of the importance of regular sweeping and servicing, as well as responsible stove usage. This year’s Chimney Fire Safety Week takes place shortly and we hope you will help us by sharing the safety messages across your socials, spreading top tips and awareness to continue reducing the annual number of chimney fires. 

There have been two key annual progress reports released in recent weeks: the Climate Change Committee’s 2024 progress report and the Environmental Improvement Plan annual progress report. We have examined these progress reports to understand where our industry fits in, their comments on recent air quality commitments, and assess the past year’s progress. 

We have also taken a closer look at government’s key activities relating to clean air over the past year, assessing the progress that has been made. This helps us understand our position and assess what actions require more attention, whilst also understanding government’s intentions when it comes to improving air quality. You can find the full article here – wood-burning stoves are not being banned and current legislation introducing measures such as Ready to Burn certification has been successful in improving air quality. We will continue to work with all UK governments and devolved administrations to represent our industry, prioritising air quality and our registrants. 

Chimney Fire Safety Week is coming up, with this year’s campaign taking place 2–8 September. This campaign raises awareness and promotes positive safety messages to consumers, encouraging stove users to share their top safety tips and take action to prevent potentially devastating accidents from occurring. The importance of chimney sweeping, appliance maintenance, quality fuel use, and responsible burning are echoed throughout the campaign, with the core message being safety. Read more in our news article, download the asset pack, and share the message using #CFSW2024 and tag us between 2 September and 8 September to help raise awareness and continue to reduce annual chimney fire incidents. 

The HETAS Advice Hub is a valuable resource for you to use when speaking to customers. We’re continually adding new articles to keep consumers well-informed and, as their local HETAS registrant, it could be of great use to you when giving safety advice to customers – new and regular alike. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you have any additional suggestions – we understand the importance of consumer education and are committed to helping stove users burn better and as safely as possible. 

With help from the recent Installer Forums, the next Technical Bulletin is underway and we hope it will reach your inboxes soon. It has been valuable to have extra insight and we welcome any additional registrants who wish to take part in our Installer Forums and speak on their experiences and expertise. 

HETAS engages closely with all UK governments and devolved administrations. Our role as a provider of registration and certification schemes, along with Woodsure and its schemes and government contracts, gives us a position of ‘trusted advisors’ to government departments such as DLUHC (through Building Regulations and installer schemes) and Defra (through clean air, particulate matter emissions, and cleaner solid mineral fuels). We are providers of factual information and data vital to government departments when making policy decisions. Our organisation and its registrants plus certificated scheme members are viewed as providing excellent services and a strong influence on a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for domestic and non-domestic burning. 

I hope you’re able to enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and you are well-prepared for the upcoming heating season.