Hetas has become virtually the solid fuel installation equivalent of what Corgi is to gas. The main difference as it affects the end user, is that whilst any work done on gas must be carried out by a Corgi Registered Installer, solid fuel work gives the householder a choice:

A Hetas Registered Installer is deemed to be "Self Certifying" in that he/she can carry out the work and issue the vital Hetas Certificate, required for the infamous "Home Information Pack" and required by the insurance companies in the event of a claim.

If a Hetas Registered Installer is not used, it is the responsibility of the housholder to submit plans to the Building Control Department of the Local Council, get them approved and have the completed job inspected and certified by Building Control. Anyone familiar with dealing with "Town Hall" will appreciate the first option has it's merits!

Hetas originated as the "Heating Equipment Testing & Approval Scheme". They tested appliances and fuels, listing approved products in their "Red Book". This continues today but we don't see much point when EN13240 is the new international standard doing the same job and is accepted by all European and Scandinavian governments.

As Hetas is increasingly influential in the formulation of solid fuel heating installation standards, it would seem that manufacturers who have already satisfied the requirements of EN13240, are submitting to Hetas testing in order to keep a level of influence within the regulatory organization and to get into the "Red Book"..

We are a Hetas Registered Company. We have completed the Hetas course and annually attend refresher courses at stove manufacturers' headquarters and, even after all these years, we always learn something new. Our installers are individually Hetas Registered.