Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most popular classification for UK towns and cities. If you live in a Smoke Control Area and are looking to install a stove, you will need a Defra approved stove. You can recognize them by their Defra approved logo.

The stoves that are exempt from Defra regulations are designed to stop the flame from burning, which reduces the amount of smoke produced. They also burn fuel more efficiently.

What is a Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt Stove is a wood-burning domestic heating appliance which has passed the tests set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt Label is only available to stoves that have been tested independently, and meet strict criteria regarding 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 smoking is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke control zone, you'll be in violation of the Clean Air Act and could face prosecution.

From the outside, there's very little distinction between a Defra approved stove and one that has not been granted this status. There are a few ways stove manufacturers can do to make their stoves exempt from DEFRA. The most obvious difference is that the burners on a DEFRA approved stove are designed not to starve the flame of oxygen, as this can cause it to smolder and create excessive quantities of smoke.

To avoid this, stove manufacturers usually make an adjustment to the top air vent on a Defra approved stove. This will prevent you from closing the vent completely down, as it could cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically an incredibly small screw that is located on the front top of the stove, beneath the base of stove or at the rear of the oven.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be multifuel stoves and can therefore be used to burn other types of fuels alongside wood. This is a great choice if you reside in an area that has been designated as a Smoke Control Zone but you don't want to be bound by the restrictions of only using authorised fuels. Certain stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be equipped with a 5" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on a larger size). This is a great benefit for people who are planning on installing wood-burning stoves into their homes but are worried about the local regulations regarding smoke.

What are the Benefits of a Defra Approved Stove?

In addition to complying with local regulations and providing a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. For instance, they tend to be more efficient than non-defra certified Stoves (https://pattern-wiki.win/wiki/mendezmays6030) and consequently reduce the amount of carbon produced when used. This can result in substantial savings on your heating bill. In addition, Defra approved stoves are often easier to use than non-approved stoves, and can be fitted with simple controls.

When purchasing a wood-burning or multi-fuel stove, there are a variety of different aspects to take into consideration, including your needs for heating as well as your aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is essential to consider these aspects. A defra-exempt stove 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 environmental standards but also offer better combustion and spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in 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 for longer.

Additionally to this, the majority of Defra approved stoves can be used with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes located in smoke-free areas. It is essential to remember that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels that are damp the stove will still emit unpleasant fumes and may lead to prosecution from the local authority.

To get Defra approval, stove manufacturers are required to make modifications to the stove in order to limit how much air it will be deprived of during the process of burning. Typically, the top air control will be altered to prevent it from being closed completely. If you shut off the air supply too tightly it could cause the stove to smoulder instead of properly burning. This could result in nuisance smoke.

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

A defra-approved stove will allow burning wood legally within a Smoke Control Area. However, a nondefra-exempt stove won't. Stoves that are approved by Defra have passed tests that prove they can burn wood safely and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. If you reside in an area that is smoke controlled you can use your new stove without fear of fines.

A stove that is Defra-approved is more efficient in terms of energy consumption than other types, producing more heat and emitting less harmful carbon dioxide into the air. This makes them a great option for homeowners looking to save money on heating costs and are concerned about the environment.

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

There are many styles available when you choose a Defra-approved stove. Some are more traditional and will look stunning when placed in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and will look great in a contemporary living space.

Verify that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should be on the DEFRA list of authorised appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as Defra exempt even though they have not been tested to show it. This is because it is easier to sell a stove that features the Clean Burn technology than to test it and take the time and money to complete the process of becoming Defra exempt.

The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, making sure that the wood used as fuel for it is sourced sustainably and properly dried prior to burning. This will decrease the amount of smoke produced which is healthier for the environment. It also helps keep chimneys in good condition 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 a lot of information that you should take into consideration, including style, heat output and fuel type. You might have noticed on our website that a lot of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are DEFRA approved traditional stoves exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that for the average homeowner, may appear to be nothing more than a marketing jargon but it has significant implications for those who live in smoke-free areas.

To be in compliance with the laws prohibiting the sale of wood within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners come with an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you reduce the air flow to the fire too much, it will cause the wood to smolder, and produce excess smoke. This will be against the law. To prevent this from happening, you will need to ensure that the wood in your stove is dried out before using it on the stove.

You can also make use of an DEFRA exempt wood burner in a Smoke Control Area if you only burn the approved fuels that are listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites, gas and steam coal with low volatile. However, if you choose to fit a non-DEFRA approved stove in your home, and you burn wet wood or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA list, then you could be punished up to PS1000.

Even if you don't live in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, a DEFRA exempt wood burner is still a good choice as they are usually more environmentally and neighbour friendly because they can be operated without producing nuisance smoke. They also have higher efficiency and will keep your chimney and flue clean for longer. However, it must be noted that in 2022 all new stoves must comply with the more stringent Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiency OGV and NOX ceilings, and have emission limits that are significantly more than the ones currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.