The UK government has announced a significant amendment to the forthcoming 2025 Future Homes Standard, permitting the installation of modern wood-burning stoves as secondary heat sources in new-build and self-build homes. The decision follows sustained lobbying efforts by the Stove Industry Association (SIA) and other trade bodies representing the fireplace and stove sector (Fireplace Specialist Magazine, Homebuilding & Renovating, The Times).
This move marks a departure from the government’s earlier push for stricter decarbonisation and indoor air quality measures, which many assumed would lead to an outright exclusion of all forms of combustion heating in future homes.
The SIA welcomed the change, stating that EcoDesign-compliant stoves offer a low-carbon, renewable heating option, especially in off-grid or rural locations. They also argued that modern appliances emit significantly fewer particulates than open fires and older stoves, while contributing to energy resilience in extreme weather.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities maintains that the revised standard strikes a balance between environmental ambition and consumer choice, particularly for homeowners seeking backup heating in an era of energy uncertainty.
