Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most popular classification for UK towns and cities. If you reside in a Smoke Control Zone and want to install a stove, you'll require a DEFRA stoves features approved stove. You can recognize them by their approved logo from the Defra.

Exempt stoves from Defra are constructed to stop the fire from burning, defra approved eco design Stoves which reduces the amount of smoke generated. They also burn fuel more efficiently.

What is what is a Defra exempt stove?

A Defra Exempt stove is a wood-burning domestic heating device that has passed the tests laid out by the Department for defra approved Eco design stoves Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been tested independently and meet the strict criteria for emissions. Stoves with the Defra Exempt label are suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas.

It is not possible to burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove if you live in an area where smoke is controlled. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove in a smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.

From the outside, there is very little difference between a Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been granted this status. There are however a few ways that stove manufacturers can do in order to make their appliances DEFRA Exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves come with burners that aren't designed to starve the fires of oxygen. This could cause them to smoulder or emit excessive amounts of smoke.

To prevent this, stove makers will usually adjust the air vent at the top of the Defra approved stove. This will stop you from being able to shut the vent all the way down, as this would cut off the supply of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically located inside the top front of the stove, beneath the base of the stove or on the back of the stove.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt also tend to be multifuel stoves and can therefore be used to burn other kinds of fuels along with wood. This is a great option for those who you reside in an area that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area, but don't want to be restricted to only using fuels that are approved. Some stoves with Defra exemptions can be fitted with a 5" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't demand the larger size). This is a great benefit for those who plan to install wood-burning stoves in their homes but are worried about their local smoke regulations.

What are the advantages of a Defra Approved Stove?

In addition to complying with local regulations and offering an inviting fire for the winter months, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. For example, they tend to be more efficient in energy use than non-DEFRA stoves features approved stoves and consequently reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when used. This can result in substantial savings on your heating bill. The stoves that are Defra-approved are also easier to use and have simpler controls than stoves that are not approved.

When purchasing a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, there are many different aspects to take into consideration, such as your heating requirements, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is crucial to take into consideration these factors. A stove that is defra-exempt is ideal for those who live in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Defra-approved stoves do not just meet the environmental standards, but also provide superior combustion and a wider spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel is burned evenly and produces a consistent, pleasant flame. Additionally they are more durable than non-Defra-approved stoves, which means they last longer and are able to endure higher temperatures.

In addition to this, the majority of Defra approved stoves work with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes in smoke controlled areas. It is essential to remember that if you decide to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels that are damp the stove will still emit nuisance fumes and could result in a prosecution from the local authorities.

To obtain Defra approval, stove manufacturers have to modify their equipment to restrict the amount of air that will be removed during the combustion process. Typically the air control on top will be modified to prevent it from being closed all the way. The air supply that is shut off to a stove for too long could cause it to smolder instead of burning properly and, in turn, result in 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-approved stove is able to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempted stove won't. This is because stoves that have been Defra approved have been tested to show they can safely and effectively burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. If you reside in an area that is smoke controlled you can use the new stove without the risk of fines.

A stove that is approved by Defra is more energy efficient than other types, producing more heat and emitting less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a good choice for homeowners who are looking to save money and care about the environment.

Stoves that have been approved by Defra will be marketed with the Defra Approved Logo, which has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also check whether a stove is Defra exempt by looking at the specification details or by checking on the manufacturers website for information about the stove.

When choosing a Defra approved stove it is essential to think about the style you want as there are many different choices available. Some are more traditional and look great in an old fireplace or inglenook, while others are more modern and will be ideal for a modern living space.

You should also make sure that the stove you select is Defra exempt by making sure that it appears on DEFRA's list of approved appliances or by checking that it has the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers advertise their stoves as DEFRA Approved Eco Design Stoves exempt, even though they haven't been tested to prove it. It is easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the expense of becoming Defra-exempt.

A stove that is Defra exempt will ensure that the wood that is used to power it is sustainably sourced and properly dried, seasoned and before burning. This means it is less likely to generate large quantities of smoke, which is better for the environment, and also helps keep chimneys and flue systems clean for longer.

What is the difference between a Defra Exempt Stove vs. the Non-Defra Exempt Stove?

When it comes to choosing the ideal stove for your home, there's a lot of information that you must be aware of, including the style, heat output and fuel type. You might be aware that a number of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves that are available on our website are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, to the average homeowner, may seem like a marketing phrase. However it is a significant issue for those who live in smoke-controlled areas.

In order to comply with the laws that ban the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are constructed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. This is because if you reduce the flow of air to the fire, the wood will start to smolder and release excessive smoke, which would be in breach of the law. To avoid this make sure that the wood is kiln-dried before you put it in the stove.

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

Even if you do not live in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area, the DEFRA exempt wood burner is an option to consider as they are usually more environmentally and neighbour friendly since they can be operated without producing polluting smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and keep your chimney and flue system clean for longer. However, it is to be noted that by 2022, all new stoves must meet the more stringent Ecodesign regulations, which establish minimum efficiencies OGV, NOX ceilings and have emissions limits that are much more than the ones currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.