The New Build Heat Standard (section 6.11) has banned the installation of direct emission appliances in new build properties. This includes wood burning and biomass appliances.
Worse still, the consultation (now closed) on the ‘Heat in Buildings Bill’ suggests that future sellers or purchasers of a home may be compelled to remove a very low carbon wood burning appliance and replace it with a much higher carbon alternative at their own expense!
Guild Scotland director John Stone said: ‘This ban makes no sense. Comparing CO2 emissions from a sustainable and renewable low carbon fuel like wood to gas and oil emissions just doesn’t add up. We are working hard with chimney sweeps and industry groups to take the campaign to our customers and on to the Scottish government. You can help by sending the letter template and covering note to all your friends and family in Scotland. Help them protect their right to use wood fuel.’
Contrary to the Scottish government’s objective of reducing CO2 emissions, this new building standard will increase them! (see links below for supporting documents).
Most of the CO2 produced from burning wood for heating is what’s called Biogenic Carbon. This biogenic carbon doesn’t contribute to climate change (the small amount of CO2 currently produced from using wood comes from the processing and transport). Banning wood burning for heating will actually increase CO2 emissions. Even the most efficient air source heat pumps emit nearly five times as much CO2 per kW of heat as an efficient wood stove. Direct electrical heating appliances produce 19 times as much CO2 per kW! (See links below)
The Guild are providing tools and resources to help sweeps customers raise the issue with their local MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament). If you don’t live in Scotland, you can still help your fellow sweeps.
Take action: How to Help
- Sweeps in Scotland – join the postcard campaign. It’s simple, cheap and effective. Please email info@guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk or Scotland@guildofmasterchimneysweeps.co.uk for your postcards and guidance pack.
- Introduce others sweeps / installers / fuel suppliers.
- Download or link to the ‘letter template’, Put it on your websites and social media so your customers can use it to contact their local MSP.
- If you don’t live in Scotland, you can still help your fellow sweeps by sending the letter template and info to all your friends and family in Scotland.
- Share the social media posts.
Apart from the madness of actually increasing CO2 emissions, this ban:
- Decreases fuel security and independence.
- Increases exposure to grid outages.
- Increases exposure to grid constraint problems (the ability to supply electricity against increasing demand).
- Removes the rights of an individual to source and use wood fuel to the best financial, environmental and personal advantage.
- Deprives homeowners of the significant mental wellbeing aspects which accompany the operation of an efficient wood fire.
- Increases the costs of properly maintaining our ever increasing woodlands.
Key Facts Scotland 25th April ’24 (see carbon facts on page 2)
Key Arguments Scotland May ’24 – why efficient wood burning is part of the CO2 and climate change solution
Biogenic Carbon V’s Fossil Carbon there’s a world of difference!
MSP letter template – pdf version or Word version
