The colder weather has truly arrived across the UK and has added that extra element to an already busy heating season. We started the year mindful of the risk of coronavirus but we’re ending with probably our busiest period in many years. The HETAS website has had its busiest month ever during November, with over 100,000 sessions for the third month running and over 500,000 pageviews. We continue to work hard promoting you, our registered businesses.

Earlier this year I spent some time speaking to the Chief Medical Officer in the knowledge that his annual report was going to be looking at the issue of air pollution, both indoor and outdoor. Acknowledging the rising popularity of wood burning over recent years due to “aesthetic… practical, ecological or [now, more than ever,] economic reasons”, the government report lays out what they think is the best ways to approach solid fuel domestic heating where its use cannot be avoided. The crucial takeaway from Chris Whitty’s report for us is that almost one third (32%) of those interviewed for the report had either recently burned wet wood or were unaware of the correct wood seasoning requirements for efficient and cleaner burning. This means that an alarming proportion of solid fuel users may be causing unnecessary pollutants to be emitted from their home appliances. You can view our full response to the report in this months newsletter and on the website.

Last month we also informed you that we had taken the decision to terminate our insurance partnership with Marsh Commercial. We have been listening to your feedback on a range of issues relating to insurance and we felt terminating the relationship was the best thing to do for all involved. We are now working in partnership with Rhino Trade Insurance. We know a number of our businesses have already made the choice to take out a policy with Rhino. You can get a quote from their website in a matter of minutes.

Also in this month’s newsletter we look at a domestic burning campaign taking place in Greater Manchester, making sure you are making the most of our marketing tools and the publication of our final Technical Bulletin of the year, edition 28. This final Bulletin from the HETAS Technical team picks up some of the issues that have arisen throughout the year. Linked to the installation of the best possible appliances, this Bulletin also covers design and installation of twin wall system chimneys, distances to wooden surrounds for open fires and some common issues our team come across through our inspection process.

Finally, I’d like to thank you for your ongoing support of HETAS throughout 2022 and I hope you get to make the most of a festive break. From all of us at HETAS I wish you a very merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year.