We are delighted to announce that our iBlu air control, first featured on the Charnwood Skye E700 and now introduced on the Aire Intelligent range, has been shortlisted in the Innovation Category of the Make UK Manufacturing Awards 2025. This recognition celebrates not just a single product but more than a decade of research, development and company-wide collaboration, all with one clear goal: to reinvent wood burning for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

A legacy of craftsmanship and sustainability

For over 50 years, we have been designing and manufacturing wood burning stoves on the Isle of Wight. From the beginning, our mission has been rooted in sustainability, environmental care and well-being.

Early stoves already represented a step forward compared to open fires, offering controlled combustion and improved efficiency. But as awareness of air quality grew and environmental legislation became more rigorous – from the Belgian Royal Decree (2010) to the European EcoDesign directive and the North American EPA 2020 regulations – we recognised the need for a step change.

The challenge was clear: how do we make stoves that deliver the cleanest possible burn, not just in laboratory conditions, but in real homes, every day?

The spark of innovation

The answer came from a simple but powerful frustration. During laboratory testing, our engineers were not allowed to intervene in the burn cycle. They knew the stove was capable of outstanding performance, but in the hands of everyday users, results varied widely.

That insight led to the development of our iBlu intelligent air control system, a technology designed to take human error out of the equation. Instead of relying on the user to adjust airflows at the right times, iBlu automatically controls the burn, ensuring the cleanest, most efficient combustion cycle possible.

How iBlu works

 

At the heart of iBlu is a patented algorithm informed by robust sensors that monitor flame intensity and temperature. Unlike other electronically controlled systems, often bolted on by third parties, iBlu is fully integrated into the stove’s design.

This integration delivers three key benefits:

•High efficiency (of over 85%) and Ultra-low emissions

•A crystal clear view of the fire

•Significant fuel savings (users report up to 50% less wood used compared with manual stoves)

The best part? For the customer, the stove looks and feels like a traditional wood-burner, with the technology working seamlessly in the background.

Developed in-house, from the ground up

The innovation was designed and developed entirely in-house with our team building new expertise in electronics, firmware and app development. This technology gives an intuitive user experience – allowing customers to simply load it, light it, leave it. Changes, if required, can be made using a button on the stove, however, for the technically minded the system also features an app which using Bluetooth connectivity can control the stove and give information about the burn. WiFi updates means that the stove can be updated with the latest improvements when needed.

This in-house expertise allowed us to move quickly through multiple prototypes while keeping the system tightly integrated with the stove’s design, and retain complete control over quality and innovation.

Alongside skills development, we made significant investment in our laboratory, acquiring advanced emissions-testing equipment to bring our facilities in line with Europe’s best. This commitment has placed us at the forefront of combustion research, not just stove manufacturing.

Global validation

 

We strategically soft-launched the Skye E700 with iBlu in the US, where it became one of the few non-catalytic stoves to meet the EPA 2020 emissions standard. It later exceeded even those benchmarks, achieving even lower emissions during retesting.

In Europe, the stove achieved extremely low particulate emissions with high efficiencies above 85%, passing Lombardy’s famously tough regulations. Testing in Australia further demonstrated its reliability, with consistently low particulate levels.

This global success confirms that iBlu isn’t just a laboratory achievement – it’s a system that works across diverse markets and real-world conditions.

Transforming the user experience

The wood stove market is traditionally conservative, and many customers are cautious of electronics. That’s why we designed iBlu to enhance performance without ever overwhelming the user.

For most, the appeal is immediate: no fiddling with air controls, no guesswork, just a warm, clean burn every time. Anecdotally, some customers report using half the amount of fuel compared with their manual stoves.

As one customer put it:

“I was sceptical of the technology, but after a week with the Skye E700, I can honestly say it’s the best stove I’ve ever used.”

That kind of feedback is the real proof of innovation. People don’t choose it because regulations require it. They choose it because it makes their lives better.

Why it matters

Being shortlisted for the Make UK Innovation Award is an honour that recognises both our heritage and our future. It reflects the passion of our entire team, from engineers and designers to production staff, sales managers and customer service, all of whom played a part in bringing this ambitious project to life.

Most of all, it reaffirms our commitment to elevating wood heating to the next level: maximising the benefits of this sustainable, energy-resilient fuel while minimising its impact on the environment.

The iBlu air control system is more than an innovation. It’s a glimpse into the future of wood burning, a future that is smarter, cleaner and more sustainable.