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 require a Defra exempt stove. You can identify them by their Defra approved logo.

The stoves which are exempt from Defra have been designed to stop the fire from burning. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also make use of fuel more efficiently.

What is a Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt stove is a wood burning domestic heating appliance that has passed the tests laid out by the Department for Environment, Defra certified stoves Food and Defra certified stoves Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt Label is only applied to stoves which have been independently tested and have met strict standards regarding emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

You can't burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove if you live in a place where smoke is controlled. Installing the use of a non DEFRA approved stove within a smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.

From the outside, there's very little difference between an Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been given this status. There are a few things stove manufacturers can do to ensure that their products are exempt from DEFRA. The defra burning mdf approved stoves have burners that aren't made to deprive fires of oxygen. This could cause them to smolder or create excessive amounts of smoke.

To avoid this, stove manufacturers will usually adjust the air vent at the top of an Defra approved stove. This prevents you from closing the vent completely down, as this would cut off the supply of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically a small screw inside the top of the stove, beneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be multifuel stoves that can therefore be used to burn different types of fuels alongside wood. This is a fantastic option for people who live in areas which are designated as Smoke Control Areas and do not want to limit their use to only authorized fuels. Some stoves with Defra exemptions can also be equipped with 5" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't demand the larger size). This is a wonderful benefit for those who wish to install wood-burning stoves, but are worried about local smoke regulations.

What are the advantages of a Defra-Approved Stove?

In addition to being compliant with local regulations and providing a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. For instance, they are likely to be more efficient in energy use than non-Defra certified stoves and, consequently, reduce the amount of carbon produced when they are used. This can result in significant savings on your heating bills. In addition, Defra approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and may be fitted with simple controls.

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 your long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is crucial to take into consideration these factors. A defra-exempt stove can be ideal for those who live in areas that are smoke-free. They have been thoroughly tested and conform to strict environmental guidelines. They can aid in reducing the impact your stove has on the environment.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer superior combustion and flame distribution. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, producing an even and pleasant flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means they can stand up to higher temperatures and last longer.

As an added benefit, most Defra approved stoves are compatible with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes in smoke controlled areas. However it is important to be aware that if you intend to use your stove using damp wood or another wet fuel, it will produce nuisance smoke and can be a cause for prosecution by the local authority.

To get Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make modifications to their equipment to restrict the amount of air that can be deprived during the burning process. The air control on the top is usually altered to prevent the entire closure. If you shut off the air supply too much, it can cause the stove to smoulder instead of properly burning. This can lead to nuisance smoke.

What is the difference between a Defra approved stove and a non-Defra approved stove?

The most obvious difference is that a defra certified stove will allow you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempted stove won't. This is because stoves that are Defra approved have been tested to prove that they are able to safely and effectively burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without generating excessive levels of smoke. This means that even if you reside in a smoke control area you can use your new stove with no possibility of costly fines.

A Defra approved stove is more efficient than other kinds of wood-burning stoves, which means it will generate more heat and will emit less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who are seeking to save money while caring about the environment.

Stoves that are Defra-approved will be advertised with the Defra Approved Logo, which has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also find out whether a stove has been Defra-exempt by examining the specifications or the website of the manufacturer.

There are many styles available when you choose a Defra-approved stove. Some are more traditional and look stunning in an old fireplace or inglenook, while others are more contemporary and will be ideal for a modern living space.

You should also make sure that the stove you choose is Defra exempt by making sure that it is on DEFRA's list authorised appliances or by checking that it's got the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will claim that their stoves are Defra-exempt, even though they haven't been tested. It is much easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test it and incur the cost of becoming Defra exempt.

A stove that has been Defra exempt will make sure that the wood used to fuel it is sourced sustainably and properly dried, seasoned and before burning. This means that it will not produce large amounts of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment, and also helps to keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner for longer.

What is the difference between the Defra exempt stove and a non-Defra exempt stove?

You'll have to consider several factors when choosing the right stove for your home. These include the style as well as heat output and the type of fuel. You may have noticed on our website that many stoves that burn wood and multi-fuel are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, for the average homeowner could appear to be a commercial phrase. However, it has important implications for those who live in areas that are smoke-free.

To comply with the laws that ban the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners have an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing the air supply valve all the way. If you reduce the air flow to the fire too much, it will cause the wood to smoulder and create smoke. This is against the law. To prevent this from happening you must make sure that the wood in your stove is dried to a certain degree prior to using it on the stove.

You can also use an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use the approved fuels on the DEFRA website. These include gas, semi-anthracite, and anthracite as well as steam coal with low volatile. However, if you decide to install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in your home and you burn wet wood or any other fuels that aren't listed on the DEFRA list that you can be fined up to PS1000.

Even if you do not reside in the Smoke Control Area, a 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 are also more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for longer. It is important to note that all new stoves must to meet the more stringent Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations define minimum efficiencies and NOX and OGV ceilings and emission limits that are much more than the ones currently in place for DEFRA-exempt appliances.