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 want to install a stove, you will require a Defra approved stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.

Defra exempt stoves are built to prevent the fire from smouldering which reduces the amount of smoke produced. They also burn fuel better.

What is an Defra Exempt Stove?

A Defra Exempt stove is a wood-burning domestic heating appliance that has passed the tests set out by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been independently tested and meet strict criteria on emissions. Exempt stoves from Defra are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

You can't burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove in a place where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA approved stove in a smoke control area you could be in violation of the Clean Air Act and could face prosecution.

From the outside, there's no distinction between a DEFRA stoves benefits approved stove and one that hasn't been awarded this status. There are a few ways that stove manufacturers can do to make their appliances exempt from best defra stoves. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that are not designed to starve the fires of oxygen. This could cause them to smoulder or create excessive amounts of smoke.

To prevent this, stove manufacturers will typically adjust the air vent at the top of a Defra approved stove. This will prevent you from being able to shut the vent all the way down, as it could cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically an incredibly small screw located on the top of the stove, beneath the base of the stove or on the back of the stove.

Stoves that are exempt from Defra exemption tend to also be multifuel stoves and can be used to burn wood and other fuels. This is a great choice if you live in an area that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area and you don't want to be restricted to only using authorised fuels. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be equipped with a 5" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the use of a larger size). This is great news for those looking to install wood-burning stoves but are worried about local smoke regulations.

What are the benefits of a Defra Approved Stove?

In addition to being compliant with local regulations and providing an inviting fire for the winter months, Defra approved stoves can provide a variety of other advantages. They are typically more efficient than non-Defra stoves and can reduce the amount of carbon produced. This can lead to substantial savings on your heating bill. Stoves that are approved by Defra are also simpler to use and have easier controls than stoves that are not approved.

There are a variety of factors to consider when buying a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. This includes your heating requirements, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. It is important to take these elements into consideration when choosing the right stove, and opting for a defra exempt stove is a great option for those living in smoke controlled areas. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Apart from complying with environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer better combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in more pleasing and consistent flame. Additionally, they tend to be more durable than non-Defra certified stoves, meaning they last longer and stand up to higher temperatures.

Additionally is that the majority of DEFRA approved efficient stoves approved stoves work with a 5" chimney liner, which is perfect for homes that are located in smoke-free areas. It is essential to remember that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness, it will still produce unpleasant fumes and may lead to prosecution by the local authority.

To achieve Defra approval, stove manufacturers need to make adjustments to their equipment to limit the amount of air that can be removed during the combustion process. The air control at the top is usually modified to prevent the complete closure. The air supply that is shut off to a stove too much could cause it to smolder instead of properly burning and result in nuisance smoke.

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

A stove that is approved by defra will let you burn wood legally in a Smoke Control Area. However, nondefra-exempt stoves won't. This is because stoves that have been Defra approved have been tested to prove they can safely and efficiently burn wood in smoke controlled areas without generating excessive levels of smoke. This means that if you live in a smoke-free zone, you will be able to use your new stove with no possibility of costly fines.

A Defra-approved stove is also more efficient in terms of energy consumption than other types that produce more heat and emitting less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a great option for homeowners looking to save money and care about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra approved will usually be advertised with the Defra Approved logo that is easily identifiable and is used by the stove industry. You can also find out if a stove is Defra-exempt by examining the specifications or the manufacturer's website.

There are many styles to choose from when choosing a Defra-approved stove. Some of these are more traditional and will look beautiful when placed in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and would be a great fit for a more modern living space.

Also, make sure that the stove you choose is Defra exempt by ensuring that it is on DEFRA's list authorised appliances or by checking whether it is stamped with the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will claim that their stoves are Defra exempt however they haven't been tested. It is much easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test it and incur the expense of becoming Defra-exempt.

The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, making sure that the wood that is used to fuel it is sourced sustainably and properly dried before burning. This will reduce the amount of smoke generated which is healthier for the environment. It also helps keep chimneys clean for longer.

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

You will need to consider various factors when choosing the ideal stove for your home. These include style, heat output, and the type of fuel. You may have seen on our website that many stoves that burn wood and multi-fuel are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that to the average homeowner, may seem like a marketing phrase. However it can have significant implications for those who live in areas that are smoke-free.

In order to comply with the laws that ban the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are designed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you cut down the air flow to the fire in excess it can cause the wood to smolder and create smoke. This is in violation of the law. To prevent this from happening you should make sure that the wood in your stove is dried out prior to using it on the stove.

You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in an Smoke Control Area, if you only use the approved fuels listed on the DEFRA site. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites gas and steam coal with low volatile. However, if you decide to install a non-DEFRA certified 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 penalized up to PS1000.

Even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is a great option. They are more eco friendly and friendly to neighbors since they can operate without producing nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for a longer period of time. However, it is to be noted that by 2022, all new stoves must comply with the more stringent Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiencies OGV and NOX ceilings as well as emission limits that are much higher than the limits currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.