THE BIMSCHV – What Fireplace Owners Need to Know Now

The Federal Immission Control Ordinance, BImSchV for short, is on everyone's lips and scares many a fireplace owner. But why? What is actually behind this term and why is it so important for fireplace owners?

The BImSchV is a central set of regulations in Germany that aims to improve air quality and protect the environment. It sets standards and regulations for emissions of pollutants from various sources. It therefore also affects all operators of combustion plants - as well as private owners of fireplaces and stoves. It even applies to permanently installed systems in allotment gardens or garden sheds.

This ordinance regulates limit values for pollutants such as particulate matter and carbon monoxide (CO), which are produced during the combustion of fuels such as wood or coal. The first stage of the BImSchV came into force in 2010, followed by the second stage from 2015. These requirements set standard values for new appliances and require existing appliances to be retrofitted or decommissioned. The BImSchV therefore stipulates a staggered replacement or retrofitting obligation for these appliances.

What will change on January 1, 2025?

From January 1, 2025, all wood-burning stoves in operation must at least comply with the provisions of the 1st BImSchV for existing appliances. This now also applies to single-room firing systems that were put into operation between January 1, 1995 and March 21, 2010. If the required limit values for existing appliances are exceeded, the obligation to retrofit or replace the system also applies here. The deadline of January 1, 2025 is therefore fast approaching. What does this mean in concrete terms for stove owners? We clarify this in an interview with our expert, Dr. Volker Schmatloch.

Dr. Volker Schmatloch has a doctorate in physics and has been working in the small combustion industry for over 20 years. After working at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, where he developed an electrostatic precipitator for wood-burning stoves, he joined Spartherm in 2005. He is still active here today as overall development manager. Thanks to his work and involvement in national and European associations, the hobby beekeeper is considered an experienced expert in the industry.

Spartherm: What are the first steps that a fireplace owner should take to ensure that their fireplace complies with the regulations?

Dr. Volker Schmatloch: Appliances that have been installed since 22 March 2010 are not affected and can continue to be operated without hesitation. There are various options for appliances installed before this date. The first point of contact should be the responsible chimney sweep. They can take measurements to determine whether the emission limits are being complied with. If these are above the permitted values of a maximum of 0.15 g/m³ particulate matter or 4 g/m³ carbon monoxide (CO), a decision must be made as to whether the appliance should remain in place and be retrofitted, replaced or decommissioned. Contacting the stove fitter can also be helpful.

What additional help/tools are available that can be helpful?

The relevant information on many stove models can be found in a database of the Industrieverband Haus-, Heiz- und Küchentechnik (HKI). This database is also used by chimney sweeps and manufacturers. It contains specific information on the emission values and efficiency classes of the individual models. Stove owners can check whether their stove complies with the current emission limits of the BImSchV. In addition, the database offers technical data, operating instructions and information on retrofitting or converting older models to meet the legal requirements.
The manufacturers' websites also often provide useful information.

Are there any fireplaces that are not affected by the BImSchV?

Yes, a few fireplaces are exempt from the BImSchV: This applies to stoves that are the only source of heat in the house, open fireplaces that are rarely fired and basic stoves. Historical stoves that were built before 1950 as well as stoves, ovens and bath ovens are also not covered by the BImSchV.

What are the options for retrofitting?

In general, two options for retrofitting have become established, although they depend on the stove model: there is the option of fitting a so-called particle separator, commonly known as a filter, at the chimney outlet or installing a catalytic converter, which is usually installed in the flue gas path of the stove. The catalytic converter reduces emissions by converting pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Regardless of which route is chosen by the owner, the most important thing is that these retrofits may only be carried out by specialist companies. The installations must have proper approvals from the building authorities. This is definitely not for amateurs and hobby craftsmen, the expertise of specialists is required here!

What costs should I expect for a retrofit?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer here. It varies depending on the stove model and retrofit variant. But you should budget for between 500 and 2,000 euros.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with the BImSchV?

Violation or non-compliance with the ordinance is an administrative offense and will be punished accordingly. I do not know how high the possible fines are. However, there is always the threat of the plant being shut down - this can be more severe than a fine in the middle of winter.

How do you see the future of wood firing in view of stricter environmental regulations?

The future of wood firing is entirely positive. What is always forgotten - and what many people are not aware of due to the frequent bad press regarding wood firing - is that the air in Germany is cleaner than ever before. The technology of stove systems is better than ever before and is constantly being further developed. The BImSchV also continues to contribute to cleaner air. And wood is a renewable raw material; all you need is a match and a piece of wood to light a warming fire. Supply bottlenecks and dependencies are not to be expected.

Is there anything else you would like to advise or pass on to our readers?

It is important to operate the fireplace correctly! The operator has a lot of influence here. My advice: The right (dry and split) wood material and the right amount of wood are extremely important to operate a fireplace well and efficiently. Chimney sweeps will be happy to advise you, and you can also take a stove driving test online, for example - it's really easy to get information. Then you can use the stove as a wonderful and reliable heat source that provides a pleasant warmth.

Does my Spartherm system meet the requirements of the current BImSchV?

Spartherm offers a special service for owners of our systems: there is a contact form where you can ask individually whether your system meets all current requirements. An expert from our team will get in touch with you personally!
You can find the HKI database as an independent industry association here: It is sorted by manufacturer. It provides information on whether the relevant emission limits of the various models are complied with. We have also clearly presented all the measurement results of our systems in our Cair flyer - available on our website at any time!