Building energy rating ‘can be improved with a stove’

Waterford Today reports that independent research shows that stoves are three times more efficient than open fires, as up to 70% of heat from an open fire can go straight up the chimney.

Michael Stack, technical director of Waterford Stanley, a manufacturer of cast-iron stoves, told the newspaper that such stoves are more efficient heat sources and can boost a home’s building energy rating.

He added that consumers in Ireland are beginning to recognise the value of burning fuel efficiently.

“Under the dwelling energy assessment procedure set down by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI), open fires have an efficiency of 30% while stoves have an efficiency of 60%,” he said.

Mr Stack concluded that, depending on the user, a fuel saving of up to 60% can be achieved using a stove as apposed to an open fire.

SEI claims that Ireland has made progress over the last two decades, with over 600,000 homes being built with some form of insulation and says building regulations in the county compare favourably to other northern European countries.