Industry roundtable highlights the case for ‘stove-ready’ new builds
A recent roundtable hosted by netMAGmedia brought together leading voices and industry experts from across the solid fuel, biomass, and construction sectors to discuss the evolving role of secondary heating in new-build homes.
Recent confirmation from government that the Future Homes Standard – a government initiative to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs – will permit solid fuel heating (including wood burners and pellet appliances), this event allowed for cross-sector discussions on how the solid fuel industry can support housebuilders and homeowners alike in making the best choices.
Leading voices from across industries
The roundtable, held at the Institute of Directors in London, was attended by a range of key figures from both the construction industry and from the solid fuel heating and biomass energy industry, including:
- Danielle Michalska (Taylor Wimpey)
- Jason Harries (Woodsure)
- Erica Malkin and James Verlaque (Stove Industry Association)
- Dennis Milligan (British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association)
- Ruoyang Yuan (Supergen Bioenergy Hub)
- Stew Horne (Energy Saving Trust)
- Naomi Sadler (SEEs Ltd)
- Neil Holland (UK Pellet Council)
The range of voices across relevant organisations, associations, and sector encouraged a rounded, comprehensive conversation around the role solid fuel heating will play in future new-build homes.
This event underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to represent our industry positively, ensuring the transition to low-carbon heating is practical for UK homeowners.
Such a meaningful meeting would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of Percy Doughty, Charlton & Jenrick, and Jøtul UK.
Building homes to be ‘stove-ready’: a different approach
Among talks about the purpose of secondary heating, industry challenges, and consumer education, the concept of a ‘stove-ready’ new-build property was raised. Calvin May, Head of Technical Services at HETAS, outlined a vision of future-proofing new-build homes by ensuring they are equipped from the outset to accommodate secondary heating systems.
Solid fuel appliances have the most user controllability; air controls, maintenance schedules, and fuel quality can significantly impact a burn, meaning system components must be fully equipped to handle potentially extreme conditions. Due to this, these homes should be equipped to handle a wood burner or pellet stove – with a Class 1 chimney, functional hearth, and for airtight homes, provision for a direct air kit, to name a few key components. This will in turn allow these houses to handle other technologies. In having these features as part of the initial build, the option for a secondary heating system is opened up for homeowners. Whether they choose bioethanol heating, hydrotreated vegetable oil, or solid fuel, their home is equipped to almost ‘plug and play’.
Explaining the benefits of a ‘stove-ready’ home, Calvin May added:
“By making new-build homes ‘stove-ready’, we can give homeowners genuine flexibility.
“This means that if a household finds their primary heating system – most likely a heat pump – to not quite match their needs, they can easily and safely have a supplementary heating solution installed. This approach supports comfort and compliance, eliminating the need for disruptive and costly retrofits.”
Secondary heating that doesn’t compromise airtightness
Airtightness in new-build homes is a requirement outlined in Approved Document L, and something that will save homeowners money on their energy bills as their house keeps heat in for longer.
Installing a solid fuel appliance requires a healthy supply of air – something that cannot be achieved without disrupting the airtightness of a home. Only 20% of new-build properties have modern MVHR systems which allow for a ‘fireplace mode’, counteracting this issue – the remaining 80% have much more limited options. This is where a ‘stove-ready’ house with provision for a direct air kit comes into play. Instead of a HETAS Registered Installer having to core a hole in the wall and impact the homes airtightness properties during installation, a direct air kit enables a simple, almost ‘plug and play’ option.
This means homeowners who are looking for a sustainable secondary source of heat won’t need to understand the complexities behind airtightness and solid fuel appliance ventilation requirements; they can instead contact their local installer and be confident their home will maintain its heat-retaining capabilities.
Calvin May commented:
“The last thing we want is homeowners unknowingly compromising their home’s capacity to retain heat. A ‘stove-ready’ new build will ensure this doesn’t happen – and won’t require advanced knowledge from households.
“This is one of the many ways we can work together with the construction industry to support homeowners in their heating choices, giving them confidence and assurance that they have flexibility with their heating solutions.”
Complementing heat pumps, not competing
The Future Homes Standard and the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) are driving the adoption of heat pumps as a primary, low-carbon heating solution in new builds. However, each household has different heating needs. Participants at the roundtable recognised these, drawing on their expertise in construction, heating, manufacturing, and compliance to recognise that heat pumps may not deliver the level of warmth of responsiveness that some households expect. This is especially relevant during cold snaps as climate change causes more extreme weather patterns or for households in off-grid, rural locations.
Rather than positioning solid fuel as a rival to heat pumps, the roundtable of industry experts agreed that a ‘stove-ready’ approach for houses is a way for stoves to complement the low-carbon technology where required. By designing and building homes to accommodate both heat pumps and various other supplementary heating technologies (in compliance rather than merely aesthetics), housebuilders can offer prospective buyers the assurance that their heating needs can be met – whatever the circumstances.
Looking ahead: shared goals
Such an agreement would not come without challenges, however. Attendees at the roundtable shared the sentiment that this would require upskilling from housebuilders and open collaboration between organisations from both sectors to ensure safety and compliance are at the heart of builds.
This roundtable highlighted the value of ongoing, cross-sector dialogue and the opportunities that shared learning offers. As the UK moves towards a low-carbon future, experts agree that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for domestic heating. HETAS is committed to leading the way in best practice, technical guidance, and compliance, ensuring homeowners and housebuilders alike can make informed, future-proof choices.
Part of this commitment comes from the belief that collaboration creates a cohesive industry, and the optimism that the event closed with reiterates this. By working together, the solid fuel industry can ensure new homes are not only compliant, but are also flexible, comfortable, and ready for whatever the future holds.
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