ClearSkies Mark has announced the launch of clearSkies, a new objective and independent emissions and energy performance certification mark for solid fuel stoves and fireplaces.
This new scheme has been designed to clearly demonstrate appliance manufacturers’ commitment to improving air quality by developing low carbon, low emissions and high efficiency domestic heating solutions.
All appliances certified under the new clearSkies label meet or exceed the efficiency and emissions requirements for forthcoming Ecodesign 2022 regulations, and all Level 3 or above clearSkies certified appliances are also Defra Exempt for use in smoke control zones.
This makes the clearSkies label the only single comprehensive label covering everything the consumer needs to know about a stove or fireplace in terms of Ecodesign compliance and the ability to be able to use the appliance in smoke control zones, the company says. The label also makes it easier for consumers to distinguish lower emission, higher efficiency appliances by having differing levels of certification from level 2 to level 5. The higher the level, the better the appliance performs in terms of lower emissions and higher efficiency.
Initiated by the industry through the Stove Industry Alliance, clearSkies is designed to drive the development and installation of cleaner and more efficient appliances. It is clearSkies’ mission to improve air quality by encouraging the installation of wood burning stoves and fireplaces which go beyond the minimum requirements set out in regulations, and to help homeowners clearly identify those appliances that meet these exacting standards.
Chair of clearSkies, Morley Sage, commented: “ClearSkies has been over three years in development and is the first objective and independent emissions and energy performance certification scheme of its kind. This ground-breaking initiative is clear evidence of the commitment of the stove and fireplace industry to ensure that its appliances are as clean and efficient as possible. This will mean lower emissions and improved air quality, whilst providing low carbon and heart-warming heating solutions that families can be proud of.”
The scheme has been welcomed by a number of UK government departments and industry groups.
A spokesperson for Defra said: “We welcome this launch of the clearSkies scheme, initiated by the Stove Industry Alliance. It is right that consumers are able to make informed choices about how to reduce emissions. We also support industry as it works to bring cleaner and more efficient technologies into our homes.”
Roseanne Cunningham MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform commented: “Scotland’s journey to better air quality is one that we must all take together and take responsibility for. I welcome schemes, such as the new clearSkies label, which support consumers in making informed choices about lower emission options.”
A total of 222 appliances from 16 different brands can be found on the clearSkies product listing, and with many more applications being processed and expected, that number is set to rise to well over 300 in the coming weeks.
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