Choosing a Defra Woodburner

To ensure compliance with the law, all persons living in a smoke-control area must use a DEFRA approved stove. These are stoves that have been tested independently and have been proven to burn wood and authorised smokeless fuels in a way that complies with legislation.

There is not much difference between a stove that is DEFRA approved and one that hasn't been approved. Many modern stoves can even be upgraded to become DEFRA approved with the help of the manufacturer of the stove.

Clean Burn Technology

A Defra approved stove will use clean burning technology to reduce the waste produced when fuel is burned. This technology allows pre-heated, filtered air to be introduced into the combustion chamber. The air is mixed with gases released by the fire and is burned to burn unburned hydrocarbons. This reduces the amount of smoke escaping from a stove, and has a positive effect on people with asthma who suffer from respiratory problems.

This technology is used in many modern wood stoves and wood burners and this is one of the main reasons that they are eco-friendly than older stoves and open fires. If you live in an area where smoke is controlled, you will have to use a DEFRA exempt appliance that has passed rigorous smoke particle emission tests to be categorized as "clean burn" for you to burn logs legally on a fireplace that is wood-burning.

If you have an DEFRA approved stove then to fully benefit from the emission reduction technology, it is best to burn only low moisture content wood. It is best to have the wood dried for at least two years in order to reduce its moisture content to less than 20 percent. You can determine the moisture content of your wood by using the moisture meter.

Using a DEFRA approved stove with Clean Burn technology will reduce your energy bills as well as help keep the environment cleaner. Clean Burn technology reduces the amount of smoke particles released and this can have a positive impact on those who suffer from respiratory issues. It is crucial to keep your flue and stove to ensure that it is operating optimally and to avoid obstructions.

If you're an owner of a business and want to save money on energy bills then you should look into installing a waste oil heater from Clean Burn. There are a range of boilers and furnaces that can be used to create heat from your own waste oil. Each model is equipped with Clean Burn's patented Heat Recovery Technology which will recycle the waste oil, turning it into a valuable renewable energy source. Clean Burn has a vast network of dealers that offer excellent customer service before and after the purchase. They also offer an extensive warranty that covers the heat exchangers and combustion chambers of their equipment for a period of 10 years or 15000 hours.

Smoke Exempt Appliances

To qualify as Defra Exempt, a stove has to be able to pass a rigorous test created by DEFRA, the UK Government Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. This guarantees that it can be used in areas that are smoke-free. A Defra Exempt stove may be known as a DEFRA stove or an SE stove. It will have passed the tests to allow burning of wood and authorised manufactured smokeless fuels in the UK Smoke Control Areas.

You can avoid paying a penalty and breaking the law if you have a woodburner that is 5Kw defra multifuel Stove-approved. This is because you are only able to legally use wood-burning stoves using Smoke Control Approved Appliances and only certain approved fuels (see our DEFRA endorsed stoves List of Authorised Fuels for a complete list).

A stove that is exempt from Defra will keep your chimney and flue cleaner longer, as it will not emit nuisance levels of smoke. Even if you're not in a Smoke Control Area, a Defra stove is still a great choice as it will be more sustainable and environmentally friendly since it will produce far less nuisance smoke than an un-Defra approved stove.

Regular maintenance is the best method to ensure that your stove performs at its highest level and improves its energy efficiency. This includes cleaning the flue and chimney on a regular basis. Stoves that are regularly maintained and cleaned are more efficient than those that are not, meaning that you will be saving more money over the long term by using a Defra stove.

When it comes to choosing a new stove, there are a lot of things to think about from the physical dimensions of the appliance to the amount of kW it will provide for your space. You must also think about the fuel you intend to use and whether you will need to operate your stove in a smoke control area.

Eco-Friendly

Ecodesign wood-burning stoves are built with the environment in mind. This is accomplished through the use of third-generation and second-generation combustion systems, which decrease harmful particle emissions while saving fuel. They also burn wood at an elevated temperature than other stoves. This results in the logs burning more efficiently and producing less pollutants. These eco-friendly stoves can also be more efficient than older models, saving you money on heating bills.

The Ecodesign logo you see on many of our woodburners indicates that the stove meets new rules set by the European Union, as well as UK laws regarding protection of the environment. The Ecodesign Log burners have been engineered to maximize efficiency and have a seasonal performance of over 70 percent. The stoves come with a second clean-burning system that is controlled by a chrome knob on the base. This mechanism allows and closes a vent which draws air over the fire, re-burning any smoke generated by the fire. This helps reduce emissions and keeps your chimney and flue cleaner for longer.

We would recommend all of our customers to check out for these Ecodesign stoves when shopping around for a new woodburner. They are not just more efficient and clean but also emit less carbon dioxide. They can be more economical than other models, and come with a variety of styles that will complement the aesthetics of your home.

Stoves that are Defra approved

Back in the day the people could use whatever they wanted to burn on their fires, resulting in massive amounts of smoke being pumped into cities and towns across the country. This led to many health problems, and the government knew they had to do something about it. This led to the creation of Smoke Control Areas, which restricts any emission from residential homes except for those who have an approved stove and authorised fuel.

If you live in a smoke-control zone you must possess a Defra Smoke Exempt woodburner to legally burn wood. If you don't, then you could be in violation of the law and being penalized.

Neighbourly Friendly

Wood-burners are becoming increasingly popular in the UK particularly with the recent influx of newcomers to the country from urban areas. It is crucial to abide with the regulations regarding log-burners to avoid fines or legal actions. The best way to do this is to use a DEFRA approved stove that is in compliance with strict emission standards. There are a variety of methods to determine if the stove is DEFRA-approved, including by checking the label and the specifications on the manufacturer's website.

The DEFRA stamp on a stove means that the stove has been tested thoroughly and has met strict emission standards, which allows it to be used in smoke-control zones. This also signifies that the stove will use less fuel and generate fewer harmful pollutants. This is an important aspect to look for when buying a new stove. It will help you get the most from your purchase, and also ensure that you can use it legally in smoke-control zones.

It is essential to only use kiln-dried or seasoned wood in your stove. Kiln drying lowers the amount of moisture in the wood which, in turn, reduces the amount of pollutants released when the wood is burnt. Wood can dry for up to two years in the natural process. If you're burning wood in an area where smoke is not a problem, it's best to employ a chimney sweep or use a log storage to dry your wood. Check for the Woodsure Ready to Burn logo when buying wood since it indicates that the wood is low in moisture content.

The UK has laws to regulate harmful particulates produced by wood and coal fires. These small particles are extremely dangerous to health and can cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease and dementia. Studies have shown that wood burning stoves contribute 23 - 31% of PM2.5 pollutants in London which is why it is crucial to adhere to the regulations when purchasing a new stove and be careful when using it in smoke-free zones.