So-called single-room combustion plants for solid fuels are subject to the Ordinance on Small and Medium-Sized Combustion Plants (1. BImSchV). These include, among others, fireplaces and tiled stoves. Systems installed before March 22, 2010 may only continue to be operated—graded according to their installation date—if the limit values for dust (0.15 g/m³) and carbon monoxide (4 g/m³) are complied with (see Section 26 of 1. BImSchV).

Depending on when they were installed, these systems must be retrofitted with a dust filter, taken out of service, or replaced by December 31, 2024, unless compliance with the limit values can be demonstrated (by submitting a test bench measurement certificate from the manufacturer or by commissioning a quality-assured measurement). This applies to all systems installed between January 1, 1995, and March 21, 2010.

The following single-room combustion systems are generally exempt from the replacement and renovation rules of § 26 of the 1st BImSchV:

• Non-commercial stoves/ovens with a rated heat output of less than 15 kW
• Bath stoves
• Open fireplaces
• Masonry heaters
• Single-room combustion systems in residential units whose heat supply is provided exclusively by this system (also with regard to the currently possible failure of a raw material supply, for example gas – see below)
• "Historic stoves" manufactured or installed before January 1, 1950

Especially in the current times of sharply increased energy costs, it is important that raw materials are used optimally.

It should therefore be noted that, despite the upcoming decommissioning, retrofitting, or replacement obligations—especially in the event of a failure in the supply of raw materials such as gas—a single-room combustion system may continue to be operated if there is no other means of supplying energy to the room in which it is installed. In order to rule out any potential risks, it is recommended that the functionality of the single-room combustion system be checked by a specialist company or an authorized district chimney sweep. In addition, it is also possible to apply for an exemption permit in accordance with § 22 of the 1st BImSchV, according to which socially acceptable solutions can be found for dealing with heat supply in the domestic heating sector.

Regardless of this, it is still necessary to avoid harmful environmental impacts as far as possible, as this is the only way to ensure that heat supply is compatible with the necessary health protection. To this end, it is all the more important that only approved fuels (such as certified pellets or dry, natural logs) are used in combustion systems. Your system is not a waste incineration plant!

In this context, we would like to draw your attention to the brochures New Regulations for Heating Systems & Co and Efficient Heating with Wood and Sun (www.mkeum.rlp.de), which provide further information. The authorized district chimney sweeps are also happy to provide you with information.