The Hardware Journal asked Eddie Scaife, CEO, Solid Fuel Trade Group, www.sftg.ie to outline the current state of the solid fuel market from their perspective.
Despite the increase in carbon tax, growth in unregulated fuels (sod turf and wood), the dramatic fall in the price of domestic heating oil and gas, and the ongoing issue of a potential nationwide bituminous (smoky) coal ban, the market for solid fuels has proven quite resilient. The carbon tax receipts for solid fuel for last winter (19/20) indicate a growth of approximately 20% over the previous year (18/19) and are broadly in line with 17/18.
Perhaps we should not be surprised as almost one home in eight or 600,000 people in Ireland depend on solid fuel as their primary form of home heating. The majority of these homes are in rural areas and many are classified as “fuel poor”. For many households solid fuel remains critically important each winter.
As expected, an additional carbon tax levy of €6 per tonne was confirmed in October last year but its application to solid fuels was deferred to May this year. This means an increase of €0.72 on a bag of coal / smokeless fuel. In July this year Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed that the programme for Government commits to increasing carbon tax to €100 per tonne by 2030, through annual increases of €7.50 per annum to 2029 and €6.50 in 2030.
The Minister intends to offset, in part, these price rises through increases in the winter fuel allowance as well as additional funding for the warmer homes schemes. Though there will be additional funding for home retrofits, the scale and cost of the challenge will ensure that many households will continue to rely on solid fuel as both a primary and an important secondary
heating source.
An extension of the bituminous coal ban will come into force from 1st September 2020. The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment have published an interactive map on their website which shows existing low smoke zones as well as the new ones. In summary the Regulations prohibit the burning, marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal within a low smoke zone. However, there are circumstances where a retailer, within a low smoke zone, is able to store and deliver bituminous coal from their premises. Details are available on the DCCAE website www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/Smoky_Coal_Ban_FAQ_Retailer_Supplier.pdf
The issue of untaxed solid fuel remains a serious threat to the industry. The Sale of Illicit Goods Bill proposed an approach to tackling the illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol and fuel products.
However, this Bill has a challenge in receiving the necessary support. The issue is raised time and again by public and industry representatives but as yet an effective mechanism to curtail this activity has yet to be found. With rising carbon taxes and higher VAT in Ireland and no equivalent taxes and lower VAT in Northern Ireland this problem is likely to get worse. Every effort must be made to bring a workable solution to this problem.
Stafford Fuels look ahead at the new fuel season
Managing Director of Stafford Fuels Ltd, Andy Maher takes a look at the new fuel season ahead and offers the following observations “A lot of the old uncertainties remain (Nationwide Smokeless Ban – rising Carbon Tax – emissions issues – climate change) with a major new uncertainty added with Covid-19. Taking a narrow Solid Fuel view, much like Grocery, solid fuel will most definitely be needed. With additional people working from
home and increased unemployment, demand for the coming season is likely to be equal to or greater than last season, all depending of course on our old friend – the weather. The trade has always had a significant order by phone and deliver to home element, this will likely get ever more pronounced.
There are headwinds of course, the most significant being the €18 per tonne including VAT (€0.72 per 40 Kg bag) price increase mandated by the Government imposed increase in Carbon Tax. This is very frustrating for the trade as they see increased across border trading in product where Carbon Tax and VAT have not been levied. Without efforts at significant
enforcement this trade will increase greatly.
Also, the Bituminous ban – On the face of things the extension of the ban to 13 towns with populations over 10,000 people should be a positive move. However, the reality on the ground is likely to be different. With smaller and smaller areas subject to a ban it is too easy for a person to drive fifteen
minutes down the road, legally purchase bituminous coal and bring it back and burn it in the low smoke zones (LSZ). This deprives the established merchants within the LSZ of badly needed business. Proper enforcement and a very strong public information campaign are needed to counteract this phenomenon.
In reality, the introduction of a Nationwide Smoky Coal Ban is needed to simplify this whole situation.
Despite these difficulties there will be a future for solid fuel. It will include a very significant element of biomass when technology and price can come together to provide a quality product at an affordable price. In the meantime, the trade will continue to provide a vital quality service.”
Arigna Fuels offer a full range of smokeless fuels
Arigna Fuels in Arigna, Carrick-on-Shannon, manufacture HETAS approved, www.hetas.co.uk/fuels, Irish made smokeless, solid fuels, for both open fires and closed appliances. The two most popular products made by Arigna Fuels are ‘Cosyglo’, a HETAS approved fuel for open fires/stoves and Ecobrite’ a HETAS approved fuel for solid fuel cookers and stoves. Cosyglo provides higher heat and has a lower ash content than traditional solid fuels. Ecobrite is long lasting, clean, and especially suited to solid fuel cookers and stoves and also provides excellent heat to radiators. It is clean burning so will not dirty your customers glass fronted stove.
Arigna Fuels offer a full range of smokeless fuels for this coming winter season. As well as the established HETAS approved products Cosyglo and Ecobrite they also offer, ‘Cosyflame’ a 50-50 mix of Cosyglo Smokeless ovoid’s and Union nuggets, which is an ideal replacement for bituminous coal. Also 100% ‘Union nuggets’ and ‘Grade A Welsh Anthracite’. All products are available in 20kg and 40kg bags except Grade A Welsh Anthracite which is only available in 40Kg.
For more information visit www.arignafuels.ie, E-mail info@arignafuels.ie or call 071 96 46002.
Briquettes remain a firm favourite
Bord na Móna Home Heating will continue providing warmth to over a million people in increasingly sustainable ways. For decades Bord na Móna has brought the comfort and magic of a real fire into Irish homes and today continues to lead the way in designing an innovative and convenient range of home heating solutions for Irish consumers. The Bord na Móna briquettes a traditional part of Irish heritage consistently delivers a quality performance, are easy to light, with a high heat output, long burn time and are suitable for stoves and open fires. Briquettes remain a firm favourite in Irish fireplaces today. In recent times the business introduced the Nugget in a 20kg convenience size bag offering all the great benefits of the original iconic Briquette allowing customers to enjoy a fast-lighting warm fire.
Confirming its commitment to the Home Heating category Bord na Móna is expanding its sustainably sourced 100% natural carbon neutral wood log range. The business is adding a new Kiln Dried Birch Hardwood log pack to the Premium Kiln Dried Ash already proven popular for their quality performance.
With less than 20% moisture the logs provide a high heat output and burn longer with low ash making them the perfect choice for stoves, open fires and chimeneas. Kiln Dried Kindling and Air Dried Logs are also all available in convenient carry home packs, are easy to display, easy to store and all designed to meet the needs of the modern shopper looking for a fast lighting hot fire for a shorter night in.
Many consumers are time poor and are seeking out more convenient fire heating solutions and the Bord na Móna high performing Firelog, Firelighter and Eco-Log is designed to meet these everyday needs. The Eco-Logs are 100% natural made from sawdust and wood chips, are clean to handle and are growing in popularity and demand with shoppers. An extension to the Oak Eco-Log 8 and 16 pack is the New 16 Pine Eco-Log format offering customers and consumers an even better choice. Their condensed design is dry, easy to light creating an odourless fast lighting fire.
The extra fast lighting Quicklog is a great success with consumers, creating the perfect base to get a fire established conveniently, cleanly and quickly. It is now also available to purchase in a take home convenient box size of 10.
The full Bord na Móna range of home heating solid fuel solutions are suitable for open fires and stoves and your customers are assured of the highest quality products at a price that suits their budget.
Bord na Móna provide a tailored after sales service, with product point of sale solutions available to educate and support a great consumer shopping experience.
Further information is available from your business development executive or contact the customer support team at 1850 744 755.
Superser, the perfect solution
Supersers
The Flogas Superser is the solution for retailers to help their customers successfully manage heating costs in their homes. The contemporary Flogas Superser heaters are fitted with easy glide castors for hassle free movement from room to room.
‘Flogas Superser Heaters are the perfect solution for your cost conscious customers. They are an economic solution to instantly spot-heat a room which many customers find far more economical than turning on the central heating’ Said Eoin O’Flynn of Flogas Ireland, the exclusive Superser distributor in Ireland and the UK. www.flogas.ie/business/dealershop
Gaslight Cylinders
Flogas Gaslight cylinders are the smart choice for those camping, caravanning, boating, barbequing or using patio heaters. The innovative, lightweight Flogas Gaslight cylinder helps the customer avoid heavy lifting, and the semitranslucent exterior ensures they will not run out of gas.
Available in 5kg and 10kg cylinders. www.flogas.ie
