Ecodesign Ready Stoves Reduce Emissions by 90%

Ecodesign Ready Stoves Reduce Emissions by 90%
2nd October 2017 James Brooke

Ecodesign Ready Stoves Reduce Emissions by 90%

Response from Phil Wood, Contura Country Manager for the UK and Ireland, to Sadiq Khan’s reported call for a ban on wood burning stoves in London:

“A blanket ban on wood burners makes little sense, particularly when so much is currently being done to ensure that technologically advanced options are available. Using a modern, clean burning, Ecodesign-ready stove can reduce emissions by up to 90%.

“Supported by Defra, Ecodesign is a new Europe-wide emissions regulation scheme for stoves and space heaters due to be introduced in 2022. Ecodesign Ready stoves have been engineered to burn wood more completely. The targeted introduction of combustion air at higher levels in the fire box of the stoves reignites the combustion particles before they can leave the stove. This technology reduces particulate emissions by 90% compared to an open fire and 80% compared to a stove of 10 years ago and can also lead to significant reductions in CO, NOx and Organic Gaseous Carbon compounds (OGC).

“UK air quality is a growing and worrying issue, however, we can significantly reduce the level of emissions from burning firewood simply with the replacement of open fires and old wood burners with Ecodesign Ready stoves. This is where the ‘quick win’ in emissions reduction can be made.

“Contura has been fully committed to the Ecodesign project from the outset. Today, and five years ahead of schedule, all Contura stoves already operate under the Ecodesign limits.

“It is also crucial to educate stove owners on the correct operation of the stove and on sourcing the right fuel to ensure emissions are kept to a minimum. Kiln dried wood, and species such as ash, beech or birch, burn particularly well. Good quality wood with the right moisture content (between 12 and 20%) will generate the correct heat, the correct flame and will not emit black or grey smoke.

“Legislation on the types of fuel available to purchase would be welcome, but in the meanwhile, stove owners can be sure of the wood’s quality and origin by buying from accredited British suppliers. Woodsure, the UK’s woodfuel accreditation scheme, has also recently launched a new ‘Ready to Burn‘ initiative, which offers a certification mark to suppliers who can demonstrate that their logs have a moisture content below 20% so stove owners looking for that guarantee should keep an eye out for the Ready to Burn label.

”A replacement scheme to upgrade old stoves would make much more sense than a complete ban to tackle the issue of emissions from wood burners. The fact remains that burning a sustainable and renewable energy source such as wood offers a better heating economy and helps to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes in the long-term as it reduces the reliance on energy from power stations used to power central heating.”

-Ends-

Notes to editors:
Rooster PR will coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for Contura UK Country Manager, Phil Wood. The Contura PR team will also arrange visits to the nearest Contura Design Centre dealerships or the Contura showroom in Doncaster to see the product range.

For further press information:
Alex Fenton/Rachel Sewell/Julie Aguilera
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]

About Contura
Contura is Europe’s leading manufacturer of wood burning stoves, offering an extensive range of classic and contemporary wood burners; from traditional insert stoves suitable for existing fireplaces, to freestanding statement models made with innovative materials such as soapstone.

Starting at £1,250, Contura stoves are premium yet affordable. Award winning, timeless Swedish design means the products complement or enhance any style of home, whilst also offering outstanding performance, maximum efficiency, practicality and ease of use.

Designed and assembled at the factory located in Markaryd, Sweden, and manufactured to the highest standards, Contura stoves are highly energy efficient, offering powerful convection, superior combustion technology and clean burning systems. Currently, 75% of Contura stoves are DEFRA Clean Air Act exempt and thus approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.

Contura stoves can be purchased through a network of 165 independent retailers nationwide.

Contura is part of the NIBE group, a Swedish manufacturing company producing world class solutions in sustainable energy across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

Contura is a founding member of the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) in the UK.

For more information please visit www.contura.eu