HETAS – Cleaner and safer choices for the use of biomass and other solid fuels, appliances and associated technologies.
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A homeowner in rural Scotland fitted a wood-burning stove under 5 kW and was surprised when the installer added a wall vent, saying it was needed because of the kitchen hood. In Scotland, stoves under 5 kW usually don’t need a dedicated air vent unless the manufacturer says so or the house is very airtight. Older homes typically have enough natural airflow.
The installer used a closable “hit-and-miss” vent. That only matters if a permanent vent is actually required, so in this case, it may have been unnecessary rather than automatically wrong.
There was also confusion about the cooker hood. It’s a recirculating hood, which filters air and puts it back into the room, so it doesn’t normally affect stove air supply. Only extractor hoods can pull air out and cause problems with solid-fuel appliances.
A simple check can help: tape the vent, run the stove, try the hood on and off, and crack a window. If the stove runs properly, the extra vent may not be needed—though final decisions must follow manufacturer guidance and Scottish rules.
Bottom line: ventilation depends on stove size, airtightness, and instructions—not assumptions. Always use CO alarms and smoke detection, and installers should assess each case rather than defaulting to a one-size-fits-all approach.
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Key Takeaways
• Sub-5 kW stoves in Scotland typically do not need a dedicated air vent unless the manufacturer requires it or the home is unusually airtight.
• A hit-and-miss vent is only inappropriate where a permanent vent is required; in this scenario, it is likely unnecessary rather than automatically non-compliant.
• A recirculating cooker hood does not extract air outside and therefore generally does not affect stove air supply; extractor hoods are a different case and are discouraged in the same room as solid-fuel stoves.
• A temporary seal test on the vent can help assess whether the stove draws properly, but regulatory compliance still depends on the manufacturer’s instructions and Scottish Technical Handbook rules.
• Building airtightness influences ventilation needs; traditional homes often provide sufficient natural air infiltration.
• Carbon monoxide alarms are mandatory for solid-fuel appliances and smoke detection is strongly advised.
• Installers must assess each case rather than applying blanket rules—stove size, airtightness, hood type, and regulations must all be checked.
#WoodBurningStove
#HomeSafetyScotland
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