Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Most UK cities and large towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you reside in one of them and wish to install a wood stove then you'll need a Defra exempt stove. You can identify them through their approved logo from the Defra.

The stoves that are not subject to Defra have been designed to stop the fire from smoldering. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel better.

What is an Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt Stove is a wood-burning domestic heating appliance which has passed the tests established by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been tested independently and meet strict criteria on emissions. Defra Exempt stoves are suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas.

If you live in a smoke control area it is necessary to have a DEFRA approved stove as you cannot legally burn wood (unless you are authorised to burn fuel) without one. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove in the smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be prosecuted.

From the outside, there's no distinction between a Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been granted this status. However, there are a few things that stove makers do in order to ensure that their appliances are DEFRA Exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren't made to deprive fires of oxygen. This can cause them to smolder or create excessive amounts of smoke.

To prevent this, stove manufacturers typically adjust the air vent at the top of a Defra approved stove. This will prevent you from closing the vent completely down, as this will cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically an incredibly small screw located on the top of the stove, underneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.

Stoves that have Defra exemptions are also able to be multifuel stoves that can be used to burn wood and defra certified stoves other fuels. This can be a great option for people who live in areas which are designated as Smoke Control Areas however don't want to limit their use to only authorized fuels. Some stoves with Defra exemptions can also be equipped with a 5" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the larger size). This is a great benefit for those who want to install wood-burning stoves but are concerned about local regulations regarding smoke.

What are the advantages of a Defra Approved Stove?

Defra-approved stoves have many advantages that include the ability to comply with local regulations and provide a warm and cozy fire. For example, they tend to have higher energy efficiency than non-Defra certified stoves and therefore reduce the amount of carbon emissions when they are used. This can result in significant savings on your heating bill. Defra-approved stoves are also easier to use and have simpler controls than non-approved ones.

There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when purchasing a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. These include your heating needs and aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. It is important to take these factors into consideration when choosing a stove. Choosing for a stove that is exempt from defra is a great option for homeowners living in smoke controlled areas. They are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Apart from being environmentally friendly, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer superior combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in a more pleasant and consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means that they can endure higher temperatures and last for longer.

In addition, most Defra approved stoves work with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is perfect for homes that are located in smoke-free areas. It is essential to remember that if you plan to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels that are damp, it will still produce toxic fumes that could result in a prosecution from the local authorities.

To get Defra approval, stove makers must make changes to the stove in order to limit the amount of air it will be deprived of during the process of burning. Typically, the top air control will be altered to prevent it from being shut all the way. If you shut off the air supply too much it can cause the stove to smoke instead of properly burning. This can lead to unpleasant smoke.

What is the difference between a Defra Approved Stove and a Non-Defra Approved Stove?

The most obvious distinction is that a defra approved stove can legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. Stoves that have been approved by Defra have passed the tests to prove that they can safely burn wood and effectively in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. This means that if you live in a zone that is smoke-free, you will be able to use your new stove with no risk of hefty fines.

A stove that is approved by Defra is more Efficient 5KW Portable Eco Stove MultiFuel Cast Iron in terms of energy consumption than other types that produce more heat while emitting less harmful emissions in the atmosphere. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who wish to cut down on heating bills and who are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra approved are usually advertised with the Defra Approved logo, which is very recognisable and is widely used by the stove industry. You can also check whether a stove is Defra exempt by examining the specifications or visiting the manufacturer's website for more details about it.

There are a variety of styles to choose from when you choose a Defra-approved stove. Some of these are more traditional in design and look great in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook while others are more modern and would be ideal for a modern living space.

Make sure the stove is Defra exempt. It should be listed on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as Defra exempt even though they have not been tested to show that they are. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to sell a stove with the Clean Burn technology than to test it and take the time and money to undergo the process of becoming Defra exempt.

The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, which means that the wood used to fuel it has been sustainably sourced and properly dried prior to burning. This will decrease the amount of smoke generated which is better for the environment. It also helps keep chimneys clean for longer.

What is the Difference Between an Exempt Stove that is Defra-compliant and A Non-Defra Exempt Stove?

When it comes to selecting the ideal stove for your home, there is plenty of information you must be aware of, including the design, heat output and the type of fuel. You may have noticed that a lot of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves available on our site are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that to the average homeowner may appear to be nothing more than a marketing jargon, however, it has extremely important implications for those who live in smoke controlled areas.

To be in compliance with the laws that prohibit the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners come with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you decrease the air flow to the fire in excess, it will cause the wood to smolder, and produce excess smoke. This will be against the law. To prevent this from happening make sure that the wood is dried thoroughly before you use it in the stove.

You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in an Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels on the DEFRA site. These include anthracite, semi-anthracite and gas as well as low volatile steam coal. If you install a stove that is not DEFRA-compliant in your home and use wet wood, or any other fuels not on the DEFRA's list, you could face a fine of up to PS1000.

Even if you don't live in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area, an DEFRA exempt wood burner is still an excellent option since they are usually more environmentally and friendly to neighbours since they can be operated without producing nuisance smoke. They also have higher efficiency and will keep your chimney and flue cleaner for longer. However, it is to be noted that by 2022, all new stoves must meet the stricter Ecodesign regulations, which establish minimum efficiency, OGV and NOX ceilings, and have emission limits which are considerably more than the ones currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.