Around the Wakefords website, you may well spot the HETAS logo – a sign of quality and compliance that we proudly display to our customers. But what exactly does it mean for us to be HETAS approved? Here, we explain all…
What is HETAS?
An acronym that stands for Heating Equipment and Testing Approval Scheme, HETAS is a not-for-profit organisation that provides reassurance for consumers around products that burn biomass and other solid fuels, as well as those that sell, install, and maintain them.
The organisation works alongside both the Government and the UK heating industry to provide evidence that influences national and EU standards for appliances, fuels and installation, training for those who work within the sector, as well as a register of appliances, fuels, installers, service engineers, chimney sweeps and retailers who have proved they meet the standards set.
Why is HETAS certification important?
High quality products
Any appliance that burns solid fuel or biomass products should be both safe, and as sustainable as possible; HETAS certification provides peace of mind to consumers on both of those counts.
Competent installation
The safety and efficiency of a stove product hinges very much on installers that know what they’re doing and are certain to uphold the industry standards.
Validates household insurance
Because HETAS certification is tied in with ensuring that an installation complies with building regulations, these certificates will validate household insurance in many cases. When a compliance certificate is issued to a customer, a copy is also sent to the local authority, to inform them that a HETAS approved installation has taken place. This can also be requested when it comes to selling the property, too.
Who and what does HETAS certify?
Retailers
For a retailer to be HETAS approved, at least one member of the showroom team will be HETAS trained, meaning that they’re up to date with industry standards, and can give sound advice on stove products.
Installers
When it comes to the installation of stove products in the UK, there is only HETAS when it comes to assessing their competency; their register makes it easy to find a local HETAS installer of solid fuel, wood and biomass appliances like us at Wakefords.
Products
Not only does HETAS approval mean that a product is safe, but it also makes consumers aware of an effort that’s been made by the manufacturer to minimise harmful particle emissions and reduce their product’s impact on air quality and the environment, making the burning of solid fuels more sustainable.
Chimney sweeps
Of course, ensuring safety isn’t purely down to the product and the installation, but also how the fuel waste exits a building. Responsible for the cleaning of those exits are chimney sweeps, and a HETAS approved sweep will have demonstrated that they meet the high HETAS standards.
Fuels
HETAS runs two schemes for the accreditation of fuels. The first is the Ready to Burn scheme, which applies to manufactured solid fuels. The second is the Approved Solid Fuel scheme, which covers mineral based fuels, and both manufactured and natural smokeless fuels.
Training
HETAS are industry leaders in providing the most up-to-date and appropriate training for the likes of installers, retailers, local authorities, building control officers, and those involved in supplying solid fuels.
Service and maintenance engineers
The maintenance and repair of solid fuel-burning products is as important as the installation, so HETAS accreditation provides peace of mind to anyone with a stove, a stove with a boiler, or any kind of biomass system that the engineer they’ve chosen meets industry standards.
Why should you only use HETAS registered products and engineers?
If you value safety, sustainability, and compliance with building regulations, then you can’t afford not to choose a HETAS registered retailer, product, fuel, and installer. These standards exist to secure your safety, as well as the safety of the planet, both elements on which HETAS can provide priceless reassurance.
Choose Wakefords as your HETAS approved installer
With HETAS accreditation under our belts, we’re proud to provide industry standard advice, installation, and maintenance when it comes to solid fuel-burning products. By choosing Wakefords, you’re not only investing in this peace of mind, but also in our years of experience, fantastic reputation, and friendly service too. Find out more about the products and services we can offer in Surrey today.