Mortgages.scot

From the 1st of April 2024, the Scottish Government banned using wood-burning stoves. Or did they? Well, yes, in newly built properties. But more confusion has followed.

For many in rural Scotland, including the islands, the issue is that the alternatives are not credible solutions.

What the new rules say

New houses and conversions are not allowed to use gas or oil boilers or, in fact, any form of bioenergy in which electricity or heat is generated from organic matter, such as wood.

The expectation is that systems such as heat pumps, solar thermal storage or electric storage heaters are used instead.

Available systems are not always practical

Heat pumps need electricity, and solar needs something Scotland struggles with, especially in the winter when the days are very short: the sun! On the islands and remote parts of the mainland, it's not unusual to be without power for a long time. In recent years, some have been without power for nearly two weeks. Rural resident are prepared to at least keep their homes warm with, yes, you guessed it, a wood-burning stove.

In places like the island of Eigg, where they are trying to build new homes and renovate existing ones, they are very familiar with the need for a wood-burning stove in preparation for not if but when the power goes. So, this change in the law was very unwelcome. Eigg has a sustainable timber harvesting program for the specific reason of providing fuel for wood burners. It also provides jobs on the island.

Some Clarity from the Government but more needed

The Scottish Government has confirmed that wood-burning stoves can still be installed in new houses, but only to provide emergency heating, which is not the only source and only where justified. What is acceptable justification? Clarity is needed. They suggest that emergency heating can be addressed using portable heaters. Given that power cuts are a real threat, you can't expect people to rely on portable electric heaters. So what is the alternative? Powering portable heaters with diesel generators! I wouldn't be surprised if that were the solution.

However, the government has been clear that all properties with a wood-burning stove installed or any alternative can remain. This only affects new builds or major conversions.

More to follow as the situation develops.