The quality of firewood supplied by forecourts and convenience retailers can now be certified as part of a new government-approved initiative.
The Solid Biomass Assurance Scheme (SBAS) enables wood suppliers to use the HETAS SBAS logo, providing customers with a mark of quality assurance.
Bagged firewood and briquettes have become increasingly popular for customers. A 2009 Forestry Commission survey showed that 43% of people using wood fuel purchased a few bags at a time from convenience outlets, rather than ordering a load to be delivered.
However as well convenience, consumers also look at other indicators such as moisture content when buying bagged wood. Wood with high moisture content can be very difficult to light, and will waste energy drying out the fuel first before it can provide energy for heating. Properly seasoned or kiln dried firewood will burn easier and prove better value for customers.
Certainly Wood and The Firewood Company are two of the first suppliers to have their log products approved on the scheme.
SBAS project manager Mark Russell said: “Both retailers and customers can now check fuel quality by looking for the SBAS approved logo. Poor quality fuel may mean a customer will not repeat their purchase, whereas using an approved fuel will ensure customer satisfaction.”
A list of SBAS approved fuel suppliers is available on the HETAS website at www.hetas.co.uk.
