Do EcoDesign regulations affect the FHT Stove?

Many people will be aware that the new EcoDesign regulations for stoves came into force in January 2022. These regulations enforce strict requirements for improved efficiency and reduced emissions from stoves. This has caused most stove manufacturers to stop making ‘back boiler’ stoves after December 2021 as the ‘jacket’ which forms the boiler replaces firebricks and surrounds the fire, so cooling the combustion zone, resulting in high emissions which cannot meet the regulations.

Unlike the back boiler, the FHT Stove does not surround the combustion chamber, so the high temperature combustion conditions required to reduce emissions can be maintained. The FHT Stove is one of the few technologies which can connect a wood burning stove to a central heating circuit going forward. Of course there are all the other advantages of the FHT Stove over the traditional technology as well!


Can the FHT Stove be connected to a ‘Combi’ central heating system?

Yes!   FHT Stove components are designed for operation with pressurised central heating systems as required for ‘Combi’ boilers. Stove heat can circulate in the heating system to supply radiators but cannot heat the hot water as this requires the short-term high output of the boiler for ‘instant’ heating.



Is the FHT Stove noisy?

The FHT Stove incorporates a small electric fan to direct air heated by the stove surfaces towards a heat exchanger. The fan is optimised to be quieter than most refrigerators and consumes only around 10W of power - about the same as an energy efficient light bulb.


Are there any restrictions to the location of radiators connected to the FHT Stove?

No! The FHT Stove utilises a low power pumped circuit where hot water can be sent to radiators in any location, even on floors below the room in which the stove is located. There is no need for wide bore pipes for ‘natural circulation’ as required for most ‘back boiler’ stoves.

When the FHT Stove is connected to an existing central heating system, stove heat is distributed throughout the home via the heating system, supplying any radiator that is turned on and working in parallel with the central heating boiler if it is operating.


Do I need big pipes to connect the FHT Stove?

No!   The FHT Stove can be connected in any preferred pipe bore provided sufficient flow can be achieved. Connection via small bore piping allows neat, hidden pipe-work to be used so that the appearance of your installation is not affected.


Can the FHT Stove be connected to pressurised central heating systems?

Yes!   FHT Stove components are designed for operation in excess of 3Bar in line with requirements for pressurised heating systems (with an expansion vessel). The FHT Stove can also be connected to open vented systems if required. See also 'Combi' answer above.


What happens in the event of a power supply failure?

The FHT Stove simply reverts to ‘off’ mode and all the stove heat is released into the room in which the stove is located. The design is fail-safe and cannot result in the central heating water boiling in the stove.


Can I have TRVs on my radiators?

Yes! This is a unique feature of the FHT Stove. Whether the stove is sending heat to the central heating system or a dedicated radiator loop, the radiators can be turned ‘on’ and ‘off’, or can be controlled by thermostatic valves. The FHT Stove incorporates simple controls that detect whether there is sufficient heat demand elsewhere to distribute heat, and if necessary it can turn off if the water becomes too hot.


What happens if the radiators are turned off?

See answer above - if there is not a heat demand the FHT Stove simply reverts to sending all the heat to the room as hot air.


How does the FHT Stove compare to back boiler systems with safety quench circuits?

A number of stove manufacturers were offering back boiler systems which incorporate a safety feature which feeds cold water through the back boiler to prevent boiling if the water overheats. Whereas such technology is clearly an important safety advance over a simple back boiler system, it only offers emergency protection to the customer. The FHT Stove offers fail-safe operation which does not rely on additional cold water ‘quench’ circuits (and the plumbing costs associated), but also offers the considerable benefit of giving the user the ability to choose whether to transfer heat or to send all the heat to the room.

Following the introduction of EcoDesign regulations in January 2022, it is unlikely that any manufacturer will be offering the traditional ‘back boiler’ as explained above. They may be able to offer smaller output connections based on heat exchange with exhaust gasses above the combustion zone (flue boilers) but the same safety issues will apply and the other advantages of the FHT Stove will not be available.


Is the FHT Stove a replacement for back boilers?

No - although it does offer considerably lower installed costs for customers who specifically want a 'back boiler' system. Typically, ‘back boiler’ stoves transfer a higher proportion of the fire heat to a radiator circuit whenever the stove is lit with no on/off control.

The FHT Stove is aimed at all stove users, primarily to give additional comfort control, improved efficiency, and a reduced Carbon ‘footprint’. As the FHT Stove can be turned ‘on’ and ‘off’, customers can choose to have all the heat passing to the room, or if it becomes too warm, to direct around half of the heat to other locations via the existing central heating system or a dedicated radiator loop.



Please email FHT Stoves (info@fhtstoves.com) with any further questions or comments.