The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood-burning stoves can be a fantastic option for homeowners living in smoke-control areas. These particular log burners have undergone rigorous testing and are operating in accordance with strict regulations.

Stoves that have been approved can often be labelled with "SE" which means Smoke Exempt. They are able to be used in smoke controlled areas but only when burning approved fuels by the Defra including wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt stoves for wood burning or Defra approved stoves are designed to abide by the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. The stoves were tested and examined to ensure that they efficiently burn fuel and produce minimal or defra approved efficient stoves no smoke. They emit minimal levels of emissions and their combustion efficiency allows them to re-burn part-burned combustibles like soot and ash before they escape down your chimney.

If you live in an area designated as a Smoke-Control Area and you live in a Smoke-Control Area, it is crucial that your stove is DEFRA exempt. It must also allow you to use approved fuels. It is unlawful to emit smoke from your chimney if not using an exempt device or authorised fuels. Exempt Defra stoves are better for your chimney because they burn fuel cleaner and produce less smoke. Your flue and chimney will remain cleaner for longer.

We have a range of Defra-exempt stoves such as the ones from Stovax and Arada. We only offer the highest quality products, so you can be sure that your new stove will be safe and DEFRA Approved Efficient stoves a reliable addition to your home.

There is a widespread belief that you must purchase a DEFRA approved energy-efficient stoves exempt stove if you live in a smoke control area but this isn't the situation. You can still fit an un-DEFRA stove in your home provided it has an 6" (150mm) flue liner, and only use it with approved charcoal or other smokeless fuels.

We recommend that you choose a Defra approved model if you want to ensure that you are able to burn wood legally in a DEFRA-exempt stove. These stoves were designed to comply with UK standards for environmental protection. They have been tested and verified as DEFRA exempt. This means they emit very little smoke. They are also more energy-efficient than traditional stoves, meaning you can heat your home using fewer logs. You can choose from a selection of Defra models in a wide range of styles and colours.

Clean Burn

Wood-burning stoves and open fires emit smoke that could cause harm to the health of people within your home as well as those living close by. The fine particulates found in the smoke can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma. Fortunately modern DEFRA exempt stoves have been developed to greatly reduce the harmful impacts.

These wood burners that are clean burning that are commonly called SE or Defra approved stoves are rigorously tested and examined to ensure that they comply by the Department of Environment's regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently, resulting in fewer pollutants. These stoves also show the clear smoke that is released from the chimney instead of the dark smoke common with older stoves with log burning and open fires.

The reason the smoke particles of these modern DEFRA exempt stoves are so lower is due to them being designed with secondary and tertiary airflow systems. This means that the air inside the combustion chamber is continuously circulated. This makes it much harder for the particles to escape.

This means that you can only use authorised fuels in your DEFRA-exempt wood stove (such dry firewood that has been seasoned). Modern stoves feature an airflow system that keeps the combustion chamber clear, reducing soot and allowing gas to escape easily from the flue.

In actual fact, a brand new DEFRA approved wood stove fitted with an EcoDesign baffle will produce around 500 times less carbon dioxide than a traditional open fire or old fashioned log burning stove, according to Defra. If you live in the Smoke Control Area and you want to install one of these modern and efficient stoves is vital to protect your health as well as the health of your neighbours.

Alternatively, you can install an DEFRA approved efficient Stoves Approved multi-fuel stove and utilize a variety fuels, including briquettes, peat and other kinds of manufactured solid fuels that can be purchased at supermarkets. However, it is advised to only use dry 'Ready To Burn' seasoned wood and never burn painted or treated timber as these will produce more pollutants than untreated wood.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA exempt wood burning stove is easy to maintain, with regular clean and maintenance checks which will ensure that it lasts for longer. These stoves are highly efficient and can cut down on consumption of fuel by as high as 50 percent. The emissions produced by these stoves are significantly lower than other types of stoves, and they offer a greener alternative to fossil fuels.

The wood stoves are easily installed and are suitable for many homes, especially in urban areas. They have passed Defra tests, which means you can legally use them in smoke control zones, without breaking the law or risking a hefty fine.

Defra approved wood stoves are also typically less expensive to run than other stoves, as they have advanced combustion technology that makes sure that the fire burns effectively. This results in fewer particulates and carbon monoxide being released into the air, which is great news for your health and that of your family members.

In addition, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been inspected by various initiatives such as the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign This means they meet strict emission and efficiency standards. These certifications are displayed on the stoves we carry, and they provide you with assurance that you're buying an environmentally-friendly and safe model.

Stoves Direct offers a large selection of Defra-exempt stoves, including many traditional designs that are ideal for an inglenook or a fireplace chamber. We also have sleek, modern options that can be paired with an easy mantle or surround. If you're considering buying one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves, it's important to think about the style that you would like in your home and how it will match with the decor.

A Defra exempt stove is the only kind of log burner that you can legally use in a Smoke Control Area, and it will help you avoid paying a fine in the event that you are caught with a rogue wood-burning fire. It is also an excellent option for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint as the tree that the wood comes from absorbs CO2 as it grows, and releases it back into the atmosphere after being burned in a stove.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

Many UK cities and large towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas, so a wood-burning stove that has been DEFRA certified is essential. This means that the appliance has passed rigorous tests and is able to be legally used in these areas. These tests ensure that the air isn't contaminated by the combustion particles produced by the stove. These toxins are what cause the dark smoke often seen emanating from chimneys in smoke control areas, and they could have a negative impact on health as well as being a nuisance to neighbours.

In the wake of this local councils have enacted laws that prohibit the use of open fires and appliances that are not exempt from DEFRA in these areas to tackle the problem. The good news is you can still install your stove in your home as long as it's DEFRA-exempt and you only use authorised fuel.

Stoves that are approved for use in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as in the Smoke Control Area and have been tested to ensure they meet or exceed strict emissions and efficiency standards. Stoves that are exempt from Defra also tend to be more environmentally friendly than other kinds of wood burners because they are equipped with advanced secondary and tertiary combustion systems that reduce their carbon footprint.

The most efficient method to determine whether you live in a zone of smoke control is to contact your local council and ask them for more information. You can also check the address of your home online. However, it is best to consult your local council for more details.

Even if you're not in the Smoke Control Area, a Defra exempt wood burning stove is a wise choice as it's more environmentally and neighbour friendly. A Defra-approved stove will also produce less smoke, which keeps your chimney and flue clear for longer. Because of this, many leading stove manufacturers such as Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax have a range of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt and won't be affected by the new regulations.