Independent tests by Kiwa show that advanced Ecodesign Ready stoves produce up to 90 per cent less emissions than open fires and up to 80 per cent less than stoves that are over 10 years old.

Chair of the SIA, Morley Sage, commented: “With challenging air quality targets established by the Clean Air Strategy and the spotlight on domestic emissions, the simple act of replacing an older stove or an open fire can lead to a significant reduction in particulate emissions and an improvement in air quality. Furthermore, burning wood provides a low carbon and sustainable heating in line with the Clean Growth Strategy and meeting the UK’s carbon targets.”

Figures from the BEIS Domestic Wood Survey published in 2016 showed that open fires and older stoves account for over 51 per cent of the UK’s annual wood fuel consumption. In London it is estimated that 70 per cent of wood that is being burnt for domestic heating is being used on open fires.

It takes less than a third of the number of logs to produce the same amount of heat on an Ecodesign Ready stove than it does on an open fire, Mr Sage added: “Not only are advanced Ecodesign Ready stoves highly efficient at burning wood meaning you need less logs to produce the same amount of heat, these new stoves have precision engineered fireboxes, which use advanced airflow systems and baffle arrangements to generate secondary and tertiary combustion before the gases exit the flue system. This ensures that the excess hydrocarbons are burnt off in the firebox ensuring greatly reduced particulate emissions.”

From January 01 2022 stove manufacturers will have to meet tough new legislation setting new efficiency and emissions standards for wood burning stoves. SIA manufacturing members already offer a comprehensive range of SIA Ecodesign Ready appliances that meet these standards now.

Mr Sage concluded: “Wood burning has an important role in the future of domestic heating, particularly when considering that challenges we face with climate change, fuel poverty and fuel security.

“Advanced wood burning appliances, used with quality wood fuel, such as “Ready to Burn” accredited wood, which has less than 20 per cent moisture content, can play a key role in helping to reduce emissions and improve air quality.”