Chimney Sweep Search The HETAS ‘Find a Chimney Sweep’ search makes it easy to find your nearest local HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep. Simply enter your postcode in the search box above to find a chimney sweep near you. A good chimney is essential to the continuing efficient and safe operation of all solid fuel burning Read More…
Our HETAS Advice Leaflets cover a range of topics. Click on a leaflet to download or view the PDF, or contact the HETAS team if you would like a paper copy to be sent to you please email info@hetas.co.uk. For further advice please contact our support team on 01684 278170. These advice leaflets are suitable Read More…
HETAS Technical Notes & Guidance Chimneys in Thatched Properties HETAS has developed an updated Technical Note on chimneys in thatched properties. Guidance for HETAS registrants is available in the HETAS Technical Area. Carbon Monoxide The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. This regulation comes into force in England from 1st October 2015. Click Read More…
In this growing renewable market consumers can be directed to retailers that meet standards for service quality and search, here on the HETAS website, for Approved Retailers. There is support from HETAS in the form of training, newsletters, and a host of other benefits. Approved Retailers will receive a certificate as well as being able to Read More…
HETAS Product Approval As an appliance manufacturer there are many reasons you should consider HETAS approval for your appliances; HETAS is the Independent UK Body Recognised by DEFRA HETAS is the independent UK body recognised by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for the official testing and approval of domestic solid fuels, solid fuel Read More…
Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an extremely poisonous gas that can be present in the fumes from the combustion of fuel’s which aren’t burnt under the correct conditions. Fuels such as gas, oil, solid mineral fuel and biomass all have the potential to emit CO. The gas cannot be seen, smelled or tasted making Read More…
HETAS support cleaner and safer choices for the use of biomass and other solid fuels, appliances and associated technologies. HETAS Insurance Services Carbon Monoxide | The Silent Killer HETAS Advice Leaflets
One of our objectives as an organisation is “Ensuring that HETAS is seen as offering an understandable and secure route through safety standards and relevant regulation in support of our organisational purpose.” There are a large number of British Standards and European Standards that apply to the solid fuel and biomass industry that affect everything Read More…
The Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps The Association of Professional Independent Chimney Sweeps (APICS) was formed in 2002. APICS recognises that chimney sweeps are independent and should be allowed to get on with their daily work without interference. To update the knowledge concerning rules, regulations, techniques and equipment. APICS has a Continued Professional Development Read More…
Safe disposal of ash from your stove HETAS is advising homeowners to safely dispose of ash from their wood burning and multi fuel stoves following a recent carbon monoxide incident and a house fire. Hot and cooling ashes can be a fire and carbon monoxide hazard. Make sure that you leave sufficient time after a Read More…
Ecodesign Explained You may have been made aware recently of the Governments intentions to better promote the use of clean-burning solid fuels, appliances and operation techniques through its Clean Air Strategy, in order to continue to reduce the impacts of solid fuel appliance use on the UK’s air quality. One question that continues to arise Read More…
Glamping Guest Safety HETAS has teamed up with the Glamping Association to provide a handy checklist for guest using a stove when glamping. Our checklist provides guidance on lighting the stove, checks to carry out before using the stove and additional safety information. If you have any concerns please contact the site office before using Read More…
HETAS has launched, as part of ongoing initiatives to support industry and the wider public, a way in which installers and consumers can fully recognise those appliances that meet the impending Ecodesign regulations for minimum efficiency and maximum emission limits as “Ecodesign Compliant”. The overall aim of the scheme is to promote the more energy Read More…
Protect Yourself and Your Family from Carbon Monoxide – The Dangers of CO & CO Alarm Information Learn about carbon monoxide and the law with regards to carbon monoxide alarms and solid fuel appliance installations. We’ve included tips to test and maintain your alarm to keep you and your family safe.See below the video for Read More…
Protect Yourself and Your Family from Carbon Monoxide – Signs & Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and What to do if you Suspect a Carbon Monoxide Escape Our third and final video on carbon monoxide safety advice focuses on how to recognise the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and what to do if Read More…
Protect Yourself and Your Family from Carbon Monoxide – Alarm Placement Detailed guidance on where a carbon monoxide alarm can be fitted to in order to comply with Building Regulations when you have a solid fuel appliance installed.See below the video for a transcript and links to our two other CO safety videos. Make sure Read More…
Another month has passed and as lockdown measures ease across the UK and Ireland I hope you all seeing some signs of normality and business is picking up. Here at HETAS, the office is now operational every day of the week and we are slowly increasing resources back in the office as guidance allows. Some Read More…
Click the sections below to see our range of FAQs. General What is HETAS? HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme) is the only specialist organisation approving biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services. This also includes the registration of competent retailers, installers, servicing engineers and chimney sweeps. How can I contact HETAS? Read More…
The rollercoaster that has been the last 18 months continues with the slight delay to “Freedom Day”. I hope you are all keeping safe and healthy. Recently we spent the week sharing tips on social media throughout Mens Health Week. It’s important we all take time to look after our physical and mental wellbeing. There Read More…
July has seen some welcome changes to our daily lives for many, whilst for others there are still concerns surrounding coronavirus. It’s worth remembering that some of the more vulnerable people in society are taking a more cautious approach to the relaxation of social distancing measures and respecting their position. Here at HETAS we are Read More…
This month we saw the long awaited announcement of the publication of The Environment Act 2021. Government says the Act will clean up the country’s air, restore natural habitats, increase biodiversity, reduce waste and make better use of our resources. This includes the setting of new legally binding long-term targets to improve air quality and Read More…
Which? CO Alarm Testing HETAS and The Council of Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring (CoGDEM) are urging customers to purchase audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms from well-known and recognised brands after a recent Which? report revealed a number of cheap and imported CO alarms to be unsafe and unreliable. Which? recently put a number of Read More…
Recent Trading Standards Action HETAS continues to work with Trading Standards in bringing about enforcement action against installers who fail to comply with the standards expected. HETAS understands that reputable installers want to see action taken against bad installers and we are working hard to make this happen. In one case a wood burning stove Read More…
Further Trading Standards Success This year the HETAS team has been working harder than ever to tackle rogues who mislead consumers. A recent court case has led to a large fine for a rogue installer of stoves based near Southampton. Darren Carr, aged 50, from Poole, was found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of offences Read More…
Slumber mode is when an appliance is purposely set at a low or minimum output normally for overnight burning to be revived in the morning without the need for relighting. Some mineral fuel burning appliances are designed to operate in a slumbering mode and would be CE type tested to show that they are safe to operate in this manner.
Not so Golden HETAS continues it’s work of ridding our industry of the cowboys who mislead customers and rip them off with poor standards of workmanship. Rogue traders Liam Golden and Aaron Parry were charged in court in the last month through the hard work of HETAS and Trading Standards. Two rogue traders narrowly avoided Read More…
Climate change and the environmental impact of using solid fuel appliances has been hotly debated over the last couple of years. At the start of this new decade, thoughts become more focussed on Ecodesign Compliant Stoves. Here we take a look at what the legislation means and how it will affect us now and into the future.
As an approved appliance manufacturer, you may already be aware of some of the impending changes coming into force for solid fuel burning appliances as part of recent changes to European legislation. As of 1st January 2020, all biomass independent boiler appliances (those that do not provide heat into the room in which they are Read More…
How British Standards and Approved Document Guidance Continue to Help Raise Industry Installation Practices for Competent Person Scheme Registrants
Here at HETAS we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable festive period with your family and friends. Here are some of our top festive tips to help you along the way, including getting your chimney swept and checking smoke and CO alarms. Be alarmed! Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an extremely poisonous gas Read More…
When moving home, it is always good practise to know exactly what documentation you require as part of your home exchange process so we have put together top tips of what you will need. Certificate of Compliance – The certificate demonstrates that the installation complies with the relevant Building Regulations and in England & Wales Read More…
The smell of pine boughs fills the air,Pretty silver bells tinkle everywhere.Sparkling snow covers the ground,Christmas spirit is all around. – By Kelly Roper A festive reminder It’s that time of the year where you will be getting ready to deck the halls with boughs of holly. There is every chance you will want Read More…
As lockdown measures ease across the UK, many of you will be considering a staycation this year and looking for that idyllic place to stay. We can’t think of anything more appealing in the UK than a lovely trip away with a stove to warm up in front of on those chilly evenings. We have Read More…
Find a brief overview of our top tips and click through to the full articles: Lighting a fire Lighting a fire can sometimes be difficult and there are countless guides on the internet. We have pulled together the best guidance available so you can get it right first time. Different manufacturers have varying lighting techniques Read More…
With lockdown measures easing across the UK, we want to ensure holiday properties with wood-burning or multifuel stoves are ready for visitors. As the solid fuel safety organisation, we are advising that appliances are checked, and chimneys swept before guests arrive this year. Safety measures We recommend you have your chimney swept at least twice Read More…
A reminder that from 1st January 2022, any solid fuel local space heater placed on the market will be required to meet the seasonal efficiency and emission performance standards set by “the Ecodesign for Energy-Related Products and Energy Information (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019”.
The Gas Safety Trust will now be known as The CO Research Trust, to provide a more accur- ate reflection of the work it carries out, and Baroness Finlay will become the new Chair of the Board of Trustees.
HETAS, the solid fuel safety and standards organisation, has published its top tips for novice fire-lighters to keep us safe over summer. With many of us braving a British summer holiday this year, cosy cottages with log burners are sure to be in high demand. Warming up after a day on the beach, or keeping Read More…
The CO Research Trust, has appointed Bruce Allen, chief executive of HETAS and Woodsure, to its Board of Trustees.
We have put together a simple guide to give you as a consumer an overview of Ecodesign and DEFRA Exemption requirements. Hopefully, this will enable you to make an informed choice about buying a solid fuel appliance. Both standards support government initiatives to reduce the impact of emissions from domestic solid fuel burning. Ecodesign Implementation Read More…
CO Awareness Week 2021 is taking place this year between the 22nd and 28th November. Through it’s long standing membership with The All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group (APPCOG), HETAS and our sister company Woodsure are passionate about raising awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and the safety measures to take. HETAS has produced Read More…
This article was first published in HETAS Technical Bulletin #24 (login required). HETAS over the last couple of years have been raising awareness to industry stakeholders in relation to the impending regulatory changes stipulated within Ecodesign. Responsibilities for both HETAS registered installers and approved retailers can be found in guidance notes GN003I and GN003R in Read More…