Ecodesign 2022 and the wood stove order.

The way we are allowed to heat with firewood has become more strictly regulated in recent years. The Ecodesign requirements and the Danish stove decree are a central part of the background for why new wood stoves today look and behave differently than just twenty years ago — and as a chimney sweep it is your job to be able to explain why.

Ecodesign came into force January 1, 2022 as an EU directive that sets requirements for energy efficiency for energy-consuming products in the EU — including wood stoves — with the purpose of improving air quality across country borders.

The rules contain minimum requirements for energy efficiency and maximum limits for emissions. The limit value for particle emissions is 40 mg/Nm³ at nominal (full) output. After the introduction of Ecodesign requirements, as a general rule only requirements at nominal output apply, because member states are no longer allowed to impose stricter requirements in areas already regulated by Ecodesign.

• 01Minimum requirements for energy efficiency for new wood-fired ovens.
• 02Maximum particle emission of 40 mg/Nm³ at rated output.
• 03The requirements generally only apply at nominal (full) output.
• 04Member states must not impose stricter requirements in areas regulated by Ecodesign.

Here at home the rules are set out in BEK no. 199 of 4 February 2022 — the so-called wood stove decree — which regulates air pollution from heating systems using solid fuel under 1 MW. It is a key part of Danish environmental policy and sets strict standards, especially for emission and efficiency, for the systems sold and installed today.

Regardless of how old or new a wood-burning stove is, it is part of your job to assess whether the installation is functioning as it should and to advise the customer on correct operation so the installation lives up to its potential — both in terms of safety and burning as cleanly as possible.

The Background for the Stricter Requirements is Particulate Pollution From Wood Smoke, Which Affects Air Quality Locally and Across Borders. The More Efficiently and Cleanly a Wood Stove Burns, the Less Soot and Particles are Released — and It is Precisely This Relationship Between Combustion, Environment and Safety That You as a Chimney Sweep Explain to Customers in Practice.