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Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have been unable to find an answer to your enquiry on our website and we will endeavour to help where we can.
Email – [email protected]
Call – 01684 215215
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?
Email – [email protected]
Call – 01684 215215
Lines open Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Follow us on social media for regular updates and tips.
Before installation
Do I live in a smoke control area?
Your Local Authority is responsible for the designation and supervision of smoke control areas.
To find out if you live in a smoke control area, we recommend contacting your Local Authority to advise.
A guide to the rules of smoke control areas.
Can I install my stove myself and then get it approved?
It is a legal requirement to notify any solid fuel installation in England and Wales to the relevant Local Authority Building Control either via a Competent Person Scheme such as HETAS or directly to the council.
An application would need to be made to your Local Authority Building Control prior to installation if you intend to carry out the work yourself or if your installer is not registered with a Competent Person Scheme that covers the installation of solid fuel appliances. A HETAS Registered Installer can only notify work they have carried out themselves.
We strongly recommend the installation be carried out by a HETAS Registered Installer to ensure the installation is safe and complies with relevant Building Regulations.
Find HETAS Registered Installers through our postcode search.
How can I check I am using a HETAS Registered Installer?
Use our postcode or the check business search.
Call or email HETAS to check an installer is registered.
Look for the HETAS registered installer logo.
How do I find an installer to work on a wet system?
Use your postcode to search here. Ensure that the advanced filter for ‘Wet Appliance’ is selected.
You can also use the servicing search and select ‘Service & Maintenance – Wet systems’ in the advanced filters.
Can any property have a stove?
Within reason, any property may be suitable whether there is an existing chimney or not. In most properties without an existing chimney, a system chimney may be installed as opposed to building a new masonry chimney. This may run within the property or externally providing it is safe to do so. It would be best practice to seek an appraisal from your local HETAS Registered Installer.
I have an existing wooden beam in my fireplace, is this okay?
Each appliance and chimney manufacturer specifies the safe distances from combustible materials in relation to the installation. Some manufacturers can supply additional heat shields to reduce distances for specific installations.
A survey of the proposed installation will give further clarity on whether the beam position is suitable or whether shielding or non-combustible alternatives can be specifically designed to look like the real thing. It would be best practise to seek an appraisal from your local HETAS Registered Installer.
Why is ventilation required and how is this calculated?
Ventilation is always required for the room in which the appliance is installed, details of which will be ascertained upon survey and installed discreetly in keeping with the building fabric. This ensures that there is an adequate supply of air for combustion, to prevent overheating and for the efficient operation of any flue. There are different ways of providing combustion ventilation so advice from a HETAS Registered Installer can help you to get the right installation for your needs.
What costs can I expect when getting an installation completed?
As a voluntary Competent Persons Scheme for installers to sign up to should they wish to do so, we are not made aware of our registrants’ pricelists, and these costs can and do vary from business to business. HETAS would always recommend obtaining at least 3 quotes to ensure you receive the best price for the service required. Please see our Retailer Search and/or Registered Installer Search for local business contact details.
After installation
What protection or support does HETAS offer after installation?
HETAS strives to promote and monitor continuous improvement in the safe installation and use of solid fuel appliances, systems, chimneys & flues, and their maintenance. As such, we are keen to be advised of any non-compliant installation carried out by a non-registered engineer or HETAS Registered Installer.
Email [email protected] or call 01684 278170 (option 2)
More details regarding our complaints policy and complaints questionnaire.
What do I need before using my new installation?
You should ensure that your HETAS Registered Installer has provided the following before using your appliance:
- Notice Plate
- Carbon monoxide alarm
- Manufacturer’s instructions
I’m buying a property with a stove, what do I need to do?
Any solid fuel appliance fitted since April 2005 will require a document called a Certificate of Compliance. We recommend checking if the chimney has been swept and the appliance serviced. If not, have both done by a HETAS Sweep and Service Technician.
The Certificate of Compliance is normally provided by your solicitor, from the previous homeowner, during the purchasing/conveyancing process. If you have not received this document, please contact your solicitor, or contact [email protected].
More information about Certificates of Compliance.
I have not received my Certificate of Compliance.
From the completion of your installation, after your HETAS Installer has notified your work through the HETAS Technical Hub, your certificate should have arrived within 2 weeks via Royal Mail. If you have not yet received this, you have two months to get in touch with our support team and receive a replacement certificate. If over two months have passed you will have to pay a duplicate certificate fee. You can contact our support team at [email protected].
More information about Certificates of Compliance.
There is an error on my HETAS Certificate of Compliance, how can I get this changed?
If the installation is less than 6 months old and your installer is still HETAS Registered, we would recommend contacting the installer to request they issue you with a new Certificate of Compliance showing the correct information. Once you’ve received your new certificate please contact our Consumer Support Team to request we remove the incorrect record from our systems to ensure your installation is not duplicated.
If your installation is older than 6 months, or your installer is no longer HETAS Registered, please get in touch with our support team at [email protected] or call 01684 215215 for assistance.
I need a replacement Certificate of Compliance.
Copies of HETAS certificates of compliance can be ordered through our online search. Simply enter your postcode and find the certificate for the property. Certificates cost £33.60 and following payment you will receive an email with your certificate and an invoice.
Alternatively, you can contact our support team at [email protected] or call 01684 215215 and we will be happy to help.
How can I find out more information on the correct use of my appliance?
Always adhere to your manufacturer’s instructions. Every appliance is different and unique in its own needs and requirements to obtain the best and most efficient performance. Your HETAS registered installer should run through the correct use of your appliance once installed.
The following articles have useful information and tips:
How do I light a fire?
Refer to our useful guide to lighting a fire.
We also have tips for refuelling safely and efficiently.
When should I get my chimney swept?
We recommend you have your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used for a prolonged period. If sweeping twice a year, the second time should be after the peak of the main heating season.
We recommend using our postcode finder for a HETAS Sweep & Service Technician.
I am concerned about the work my HETAS Installer has carried out, what can I do?
In the first instance, if you feel able to do so we recommend raising your concerns directly with your installer. We understand and value your concerns so if you are unable to resolve this with your installer or need further support please contact our consumer complaints team. Email [email protected] or call 01684 278170 (option 2).
More details regarding our complaints policy and complaints questionnaire.
Carbon monoxide (CO) alarm
Should a CO alarm have been fitted when my stove was installed?
The law in England and Wales states that new or replacement solid fuel installations in your home MUST have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted. The alarm must be permanently installed, be either mains or battery powered, and should incorporate a self-test and audible alert if the battery or detector cell develops a fault. The alarm must be fixed in the same room where the appliance is fitted and according to its instructions.
Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms regularly.
For more guidance and tips, take some time to view our series of video shorts, covering everything CO.
What should I do if my CO Alarm goes off unexpectedly?
In the case of your carbon monoxide alarm activating please follow the below instructions.
- Turn the appliance off.
- Open doors and windows to ventilate the building.
- Leave the building immediately and don’t return until your appliance or boiler has been extinguished and the air in the room is clear.
- If you feel unwell go to your doctor, call NHS 111 or, if it is urgent phone 999 for an ambulance. Tell them you feel your symptoms may be related to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Before you reuse the appliance, have it serviced and the chimney swept by a HETAS Registrant.
- Do not use the appliance until you are told it is safe to do so.
Test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarms regularly. Also referred to as ‘Test it Tuesday’ – we advise you to test your carbon monoxide alarm at least once a month on a day you are likely to remember. Most carbon monoxide alarms have a simple button for you to press to test that your alarm is working.
For more guidance and tips, take some time to view our series of video shorts, covering everything CO.
I am redecorating my living room; can I move my CO alarm?
Yes, but do it when the appliance is not in use.
Please fix your alarm back in the same place your HETAS Registered Installer fixed it. This is to make sure that you are complying with Building Regulations.
To work safely, your carbon monoxide alarm should be in the same room as your appliance.
View our second CO video that looks at the appropriate positioning of a carbon monoxide alarm in accordance with the Building Regulations for solid fuel.
Appliance
Is it safe to purchase a new stove online?
There are many choices as with any appliance. Visit a HETAS Approved Retailer to give you confidence in getting a suitable, efficient, and safe heating appliance for your home. All approved retailers have at least one HETAS trained showroom staff member, meaning quality advice.
When purchasing a product from a HETAS Approved Retailer showroom:
- You will have the confidence that there will be knowledgeable staff available in the showroom
- Will purchase a safe and legal appliance with the appropriate amount of output needed to heat your home
- Be able to identify key features of each appliance through a product labelling system to make an informed choice to suit your needs
- Offer advice on the maintenance of your appliance
- They may work with local HETAS Registered Installers with whom they have a good working relationship, making your search for an installer easier
We recommend using our postcode finder for a HETAS Approved Retailer.
What size does my stove need to be?
Your stove output is calculated depending on the space to be heated. This along with other factors will indicate the size of the appliance required. Correct sizing leads to greater efficiency and more effective heating. We would always encourage this to be calculated and advised upon by a HETAS Registered Installer.
It would be best practice to seek an appraisal from your local HETAS Registered Installer, who will be able to carry out the necessary calculations to determine the size of the appliance required for the space.
How can I check if my appliance is HETAS Cleaner Choice approved?
The HETAS product search will help you to find the appliance that is right for you. Our online search includes approved wood and multifuel stoves, cookers, biomass systems and chimney products.
To help maintain these standards, HETAS is the independent UK body recognised by the government for the testing and approval of solid fuel and biomass appliances and associated equipment and services.
Why choose a HETAS Cleaner Choice approved appliance?
- Have confidence that the appliance conforms to the UK building regulations in its installation and use
- Have all relevant information on using the product in specified operating instructions for the safe and effective use of the appliance
- It minimises the work installers must undertake to check that the products meet the relevant legal and best practice requirements
- It meets both the current requirements for exemption and have attained listing on the DEFRA website, whilst also achieving at least a 50% improvement on current particulate limits for exemption
More information on the HETAS Cleaner Choice product approval scheme.
What is Ecodesign?
Ecodesign Regulations set minimum seasonal efficiency and maximum emission requirements for solid fuel burning roomheater stoves, roomheater stoves with boilers and cooker appliances. Only those appliances that have been tested and verified as meeting these new limits will be able to be sold and installed legally within the UK. The emission limits include those for Particulate Matter (PM), Organic Gaseous Compounds (OGC), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx).
More detail on Ecodesign.
How easy would it be to change the type of appliance – for example from gas to wood burner?
Any alterations to a fireplace which render it capable of being used for a different fuel, for example from gas to solid fuel, is subject to Building Regulations.
It would be best practice to seek an appraisal from your local HETAS Registered Installer.
Chimney
Do I need to line my chimney?
Whilst there is no regulation requiring every existing chimney to be lined, your installer must satisfy themselves that the chimney is free from defects and suitable for its intended use.
If work undertaken on the chimney, including installation of a new liner, is done in conjunction with the installation of a heating appliance, then that work is a controlled service and must be undertaken by a competent person or approved by your Local Authority Building Control.
Chimneys are lined for several safety reasons. New chimneys may require relining to suit the fuel type being used (a gas flue liner may not be suitable for other fuels). Chimney systems that predate 1965 will often require a modern lining solution.
We recommend contacting a local HETAS Registrant who will be able to advise you further.
Why do I need to replace or reline my chimney?
There will be one of three reasons why an existing chimney may need to be relined:
- If it is found to be unsound from the results of an appropriate test by a skilled engineer
- If the cross-sectional area of the flue is too large or small for the intended appliance
- Any of the existing lining is found to be unsuitable for the proposed appliance type
When an appliance is replaced, Approved Document J states:
if a chimney has been relined in the past using a metal lining system and the appliance is being replaced, the metal liner should also be replaced unless the metal liner can be proven to be recently installed and can be seen to be in good condition.
Page 24, paragraph 1.39
Your HETAS Registrant can advise you on your next steps
What would be the best type of liner to use in my chimney?
Rebuilding or relining an existing chimney requires specialist advice. We strongly advise you to discuss your options during a visit from your local HETAS Registered Installer. If you decide to re-build a masonry chimney, this is work for a builder and may require planning permission and Building Regulations approval.
However, there is a wide choice of factory-made chimney relining systems that can be used. Fire-resistant precast concrete, clay and pumice flue liners or ceramic liners offer the most permanent solution, providing the existing chimney openings are big enough to take the correct size flue to suit the proposed appliance.
Double-skin flexible stainless steel flue liners offer an alternative answer if the access is difficult or the existing chimney is unable to accept other types of liners. These flexible liners can be easier to install and replace but are not described as permanent. Significant periods of slow burning with solid fuels or infrequent chimney sweeping can give rise to corrosion damage. This can then reduce the expected life of the liner.
Insulated metal chimney systems offer a fast and convenient solution. They are robust and adaptable offering suitable solutions for many more challenging installations.
Contact your local HETAS Registered Installer to discuss your options further.
Fuel
What fuel can I use with my new stove?
Make sure you select a fuel type that matches your appliance’s operating instructions and warranty for a long, reliable, and safe service.
If you live in a smoke control area you can only burn wood in a Defra exempt appliance. Alternatively, you can burn authorised fuels listed by Defra in a non-exempt appliance.
It is vital for you to determine whether you have (or want) a woodburning stove or a multi-fuel stove. Woodburners have flat beds on which to lay wood log fuel, while multi-fuel stoves have grates. You can put wood on a multi-fuel stove, but you cannot effectively burn manufactured solid fuel on a woodburning stove.
It is preferable to burn hardwoods such as beech and ash, instead of softwoods like pine or fir. This is because hardwoods take longer to burn so you will use less fuel. Wet logs will tend to blacken the glass on your stove. Burning wet wood is also very inefficient as the fire must boil off the water in the wood before any heat is provided into your room.
From May 2021, wood sold in volumes of up to 2m³ in England will need to be Ready to Burn certified as having a moisture content of 20% or less. Suppliers selling larger quantities will need to provide customers with clear instructions on storing and seasoning so it is dry to burn.
To find out how dry your fuel is, and whether it is ready to use, you can use a moisture meter. You should expect to pay around £20 for a moisture meter and we do sell them.
Check the Woodsure website for your local wood fuel supplier.
How do I find a Ready to Burn wood fuel supplier?
From May 2021, wood sold in volumes of up to 2m³ will need to be Ready to Burn certified as having a moisture content of 20% or less. Suppliers selling larger quantities will need to provide customers with clear instructions on storing and seasoning so it is dry to burn.
Check the Woodsure website for your local Ready to Burn supplier.