Tag: Defra

Visit Worcester at Hearth & Home

Posted on by Alun

Visit Worcester at Hearth and Home

Having launched its range of Greenstyle stoves range last year, Worcester Bosch Group will be showcasing its latest products at this year’s Hearth and Home show – stand B12. Exhibiting at the show for the first time, the Greenstyle range suits both modern and traditional homes and, with a choice of outputs available, can effectively heat a variety of spaces.

Both the Greenstyle Bewdley and Hanbury stove ranges are:Visit Worcester at Hearth and Home

  • HETAS Approved
  • Defra exempt
  • Includes clean-burn technology
  • Backed by a renowned award-winning technical support team

For those looking to stock the new Greenstyle stoves, representatives will be able to field any questions about the products.

Martyn Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester, Bosch Group, commented:

“We are delighted to be attending Hearth and Home for the very first time, and are excited to show off our new collection of Greenstyle stoves.

“Not only is Hearth and Home a great opportunity for us to get to know our stoves customers, it also offers them the chance to find out all they need to know about our latest offering.”

For further information on Worcester’s Greenstyle Bewdley and Hanbury wood burning stove, please visit www.worcester-bosch.co.uk.

Click here to view the Worcester Greenstlye stoves range on the HETAS product search.

Enhanced Appliance Search

Posted on by Alun

HETAS Enhanced Appliance Search

In the January e-news HETAS introduced the Ecodesign Ready Scheme, a Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) scheme that is being overseen by HETAS, who will independently verify that the stoves meet the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. Ecodesign Ready appliances can now be found on the HETAS search.

Ecodesign is the European-wide programme to lowering emissions. It is due to come into force in the UK in 2022. The main manufacturers in the SIA have decided to release stoves that will meet the lower emission limits now, six years early.

Ecodesign Ready Scheme

HETAS Enhanced Appliance SearchAs with HD ready TVs the Ecodesign Ready label will inform consumers that the stove will meet the new stringent emission limits.

The Ecodesign Ready scheme is supported by DEFRA. The SIA Ecodesign Ready label will set the standard for the most environmentally friendly stoves available today.

The scheme is being overseen by HETAS, who will independently verify that the stoves meet the fundamental requirements of Ecodesign. The stoves will also appear on the HETAS website search with the Ecodesign Ready label.

Independent tests have shown that an Ecodesign Ready stove produces 90% fewer emissions that an open fire and 84% fewer than a stove of ten years ago.

With the scheme due for a parliament launch on the 28th February, you can now search for Ecodesign Ready Appliances using the HETAS search facility. In addition, the search function has been further enhanced with new search options.  The ‘Find Product’ search now enables you to search using the following:

  • Manufacturer/Appliance Name
  • Product Type
  • Design Features: style/air control/hearth requirements/fuel operation/
  • Efficiency and Output
  • Additional Filters: auto ignition/outdoor installation/accumulator required
  • Certifications/Verification: HETAS/Defra/MCS/SIA Ecodesign Ready

The search results have also been enhanced with new icons which first featured in the 2016 HETAS Guide now available online, making the information on appliances easier to understand.

Take a look at the range of products using the search at: www.hetas.co.uk/find-appliance

Condensing Biomass Boilers qualify for domestic RHI

Posted on by Alun

mcs_logoThe Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has announced that condensing biomass boilers will be eligible for the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which is due to launch in spring 2014.

The final domestic RHI policy was published in July 2013 and biomass boilers were initially excluded from the policy. This decision was subject to the result of tests being undertaken on behalf of the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to assess the potential impact on water quality of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs*) being emitted in the condensate of this type of boiler. Defra has now confirmed that while a small amount of PAHs are released in the condensate from condensing biomass  boilers the levels should not pose a significant threat to the aquatic environment once they have been through waste water treatment.

As a result the Government are content to extend the domestic RHI eligibility to condensing biomass boilers, provided they meet the other criteria of the scheme. This will apply to eligible condensing biomass boilers installed between 15th July 2009 and the launch of the scheme in spring 2014 and those installed after the launch of the scheme. HETAS has been instrumental in providing support to both DECC, Defra and appliance manufacturers during the research period. HETAS provide Microgeneration Certification product approval for biomass appliances. To find out more about the policy changes or to enquire about product approval with HETAS, please contact Brian Bailey on mcsproduct@hetas.co.uk, or call 01242 682042.MCSProduct PD

You can find MCS biomass products approved by HETAS using the search facility at https://www.hetas.co.uk/find-appliance

To read the full article please visit the DECC website by clicking here.

*PAHs are products of incomplete fuel burning and are categorised as priority hazardous substances under the EU Water Framework Directive.

 

 

Review of the Clean Air Act

Posted on by Alun

Call for Evidence – have your say!

Review of the Clean Air Act: As part of the Government’s Red Tape Challenge, The Clean Air Act (CAA) 1993 is being reviewed through a Call for Evidence. There are three main objectives of the review:

  • Reducing burdens on business and local authorities;
  • Making environmental rules and regulations more user friendly; and
  • Maintaining the quality of environmental regulations

Review of the Clean Air Act

The Call for Evidence presents evidence on the importance of the measures in the Act for air quality management and the burdens in terms of time and resources the Act places upon local authorities and business. Also outlined are selected stakeholders’ views for improving the Act. The purpose of the Call for Evidence is to seek your views on the current evidence base and your assistance with filling in evidence gaps. Defra welcome any comments and ideas you have for improving the Act and meeting the above policy objectives. Each section of the Act is covered, explaining in simple terms what the purpose of each provision is and outlining the evidence gathered to date:

Part I: Dark Smoke

Part II: Smoke, Grit, Dust and Fumes

Part III: Smoke Control Areas

Part IV to VII: Variety of Measures

The CAA is a Great Britain Act, but the Red Tape challenge review is an England only exercise. The Devolved Administrations remain key stakeholders and the Call for Evidence welcomes comments from stakeholders throughout the UK and further afield.

The Call for Evidence is open until 29th October 2013.

The following documents can be found on the Defra website:

  • Clean Air Act Call for Evidence summary document
  • Consultee letter
  • List of consultees

To view the Call for Evidence and to complete the online survey click here to visit Defra’s website.

Further information on the Government’s Red Tape challenge can be found at www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk