Fuels: 

All stoves are used to burn different fuels; make sure you’re only burning the fuels 

recommended by the stove manufacture/Hetas. Wood-burning produces traces of tarry matter and soot up the inside of the chimney, this can all be reduced by burning well air-dried wood which has been drying for 12-24 months and ensuring an active bright fire is maintained. To be certain that the wood is dry enough to burn, use a moisture meter which will give you the exact reading of moisture, (anything above 20% should not be burnt). Burning ‘green’ or ‘wet’ wood is one of the biggest causes of chimney fires, to both brick stacks and metal lined stacks. Never burn household refuse.  

 

We recommend house-hold coal only and we do not recommend coal that contains Petroleum or bituminous coal, like ‘petro-coke’ or other petroleum based fuels as this will invalidate the product guarantee. 

 

We do not recommend fuels like -- Anthracites--Coalite Nuts • Coalite Blazebrite • Coalite Firebrite • Sunbrite Doubles • Fireglo • Phurnacite • Ancit • Taybrite (Surefire in Scotland) • Econotherm • Newflame • Maxibrite • Supacite • Homefire and Homefire Ovals- Cosycoke, Supercoke, Pureheat and Jewel are either petroleum coke based fuels or contain petroleum coke in a blend. 

 

Warning: 

Carbon Monoxide has no smell therefore it’s considered a silent killer, Carbon Monoxide is usually emitted from a faulty appliance, blocked chimney or burning incorrect fuels. The chimney should be inspected at least once a year to confirm all components and construction materials are in good condition. 

 

Maintenance: 

Employ a qualified chimney sweep who will provide a certificate of sweeping instead of using chemical cleaning products. Solid fuel appliances should be swept twice a year. Ideally this process should occur during the middle of the heating season and the end of the season. Inspect the chimney before the start of the heating season for blockages, such as birds nests. Chemical cleaners should not be used, apart from the Chimney Cleaning Log, which is approved on flexible liners. 

 

Ventilation: 

Ventilation is required into the room containing the appliance to ensure the combustion is good and to enable correct and efficient working of the appliance and chimney. 

 

Appliance Operation: 

Do not allow the appliance to slumber overnight, it is recommended to run the appliance at a controlled high fire temperature within each firing for at least 30mins as recommended by manufacturer. Using a thermometer will allow you to monitor flue gas temperatures. It’s been proven that slumbering of the appliance is a contributing factor to liner failure. Correct flue gas temperatures will increase efficiency and avoid the build up of tar & soot deposits. 

 

Life expectancy and warranties: 

As the flue has been correctly installed, it should last the life time of the appliance; which is usually 10-12 years. The conditions of the warranty are taking into consideration the liner has been installed by a competent person, correctly sized and that the flue is properly maintained by only burning the correct approved fuels. Keep all sweep certificates, Hetas installation certificate or building control approval, fuel supply invoices and liner proof of purchase for any possible claims. 

Your Local Installer/Supplier 

 

Smoke Control Legislation 

Great numbers of solid fuel users live in smoke control areas and therefore have to comply with the Clean Air Act. It is an offence to cause smoke from a chimney in a smoke control area, you should make sure you only use an authorised smokeless fuel. It is an offence for a householder to obtain an unauthorised fuel for use in a building in a smoke control area and also an offence for anyone to deliver it to you. There is an exception if the appliance is exempted. Exempt appliances can burn bituminous coal and sometimes wood without creating smoke. They are tested and approved by Defra. Examples of exempt appliances are Parkray Coalmaster II (no longer being manufactured) and the Dunsley Yorkshire Stove. Full details of exempt appliances are available from the Solid Fuel Association. 

To find out if you are in a smoke control area, you should contact your local Environmental Health Department and give them your postcode.