Achi news desk-
But Ministers say the move is essential to ensure Scotland works its way towards a zero-emissions future, and insist it is the right thing for the environment.
Here is a breakdown of what the new laws say.
What is prohibited?
The Scottish Government is keen to move away from carbon emitting heat sources, so all new properties applied for after 1st April 2024 are banned from installing a system that relies on fossil or bio fuels.
This means that gas boilers and wood burning stoves are no longer allowed in new buildings, which must be designed around an alternative heating source such as a ground pump, network heating or electric heaters.
Will this affect the stove I have in my house?
No – the ban only covers properties yet to be built. The existing wood burners are fine, for now, and one can be installed in a new house if the building warranty – which lasts three years – is granted before April this year.
But I want to install a wood burner in my house.
This also seems right – it’s not a ban on the industry, it’s a ban on installing wood burners in new buildings.
So what’s to stop me installing a stove once my house is built?
Nothing at the moment. However, architects have said that flues and chimneys will not be included on new properties, which means that these would also have to be added to install a stove, increasing the cost enormously.
READ MORE: Scottish Government bans wood burning stoves in new buildings
But the Scottish Government currently conducting a consultation on how Scots heat existing properties, and plans to introduce new laws in the future.
Why are people upset?
Many people in rural communities rely on wood burning stoves to heat their homes when the power goes out – and this can often happen in the winter. So the new law, which came into force at the beginning of April, will prevent anyone building a home from now on relying on this resource.
There are also warnings that it will hit the industry that supplies and maintains wood burning stoves, as well as the wood businesses that supply the fuel.
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These are economic lifelines for some rural communities – leading to accusations that the policy is dreamed up in the Central belt without considering the effect it would have on more distant settlements.
The Scottish Government has also been accused of U-turn, which claims that wood-burning stoves could be used as back-up heat sources.
