As the temperatures have hit freezing across the UK, January has brought in yet another busy start to the year here at HETAS. We have seen, again, a new high in monthly visitors to the HETAS website, with total sessions exceeding 100,000 to kick off 2025. These sessions have been spread across all areas of the website, from consumers looking for registrants like you, to professionals staying informed on the latest industry news, and to stove users learning how to safely operate their appliance. 

Our Book a Sweep campaign is in full swing, and we will be continuing to raise awareness of the importance of regular chimney sweeping over the next two months. As January through March is the peak season for chimney fires, it is important that consumers are encouraged to regularly get their chimney swept and operate their appliances correctly. We’ll be sharing assets on our socials as the campaign is ongoing. You can download these to also share with your customer base, helping us to further reduce annual chimney fire incidents across the UK. 

The second annual Clean Air Night campaign took place this month, granting us and the wider industry the opportunity to address some myths, misinformation, and uncertainties. We utilised our unique expertise from HETAS and Woodsure to provide you with the facts you need to continue positively representing our industry. It is important to remember that government has not said it intends to ban domestic burning. We all have a part to play in minimising the UK’s emissions; staying informed empowers us to continue doing our best and set industry-leading examples. We have also compiled a shorter version of our fact sheet, aimed at consumers. This will help to clear up any misconceptions stove users may have about their wood burners, while simultaneously educating them on the most responsible ways to use their appliance. 

Updates to recent enforcement actions were released earlier this month as the OPSS published their biannual report of enforcement actions. CVS ENERGY LIMITED t/a Clearview Stoves have been served with Stop Notices, preventing them from placing 10 products on the market. Find out the full details in our latest news article. We have also compiled some guidance and advice for registered installers and retailers in the Technical Hub. We are actively engaging with the OPSS and MHCLG so we can provide you with further details and advice, and we will update you when we receive an affirmed position. 

The Office for Environmental Protection released their annual progress report mid-January, assessing the government’s progress on meeting their goals and objectives for the environment. Echoing last year’s concerns, this year’s report warns that the window of opportunity is closing fast and decisive action must be taken for the UK’s environmental goals to be met. These annual reports provide valuable insights into the progress we are making and areas where we, as a nation, need to improve. The section on clean air contains a broad assessment of progress government – and industry – have made in recent years, and ways that progress can be bolstered in the future. Find out more in our summary article, where the OEP’s suggestion of replacing old, inefficient stove is discussed. 

Welsh HETAS Registered Installers should be aware of new requirements within Approved Document J (Wales) that came into place 6 January 2025. These changes were announced in the latter half of 2024 and primarily concern carbon monoxide alarm use. Read more details on the upcoming amendments on the HETAS website. 

This year is also bringing some new regular features to the HETAS website, beginning with a new article series: Cleaner Choice Catch-Up. A lot has changed since we began our Spotlight article series in mid-July 2023, so we are revisiting some manufacturers and discovering new Cleaner Choice appliances, accessories, and internal developments. This series has started with Chilli Penguin Stoves – a manufacturer that continually demonstrates its commitment to minimising emissions and producing high-quality appliances. Find the article in the news section of the website, and have a read through our past spotlight articles using this link.