Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most common classification for UK cities and towns. If you live in a Smoke Control Zone and are looking to install an appliance, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can recognize them by their approved logo from the Defra.

The stoves that are exempt from Defra are designed to stop the fire from smouldering. This reduces the amount produced of smoke. They also burn fuel better.

What is what is a Defra Exempt Stove?

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

If you reside in a smoke-control area, it is essential to have an DEFRA approved stove since you are not legally allowed to burn wood (unless you are authorised to burn fuel) without one. If you install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke control area you will be in breach of the Clean Air Act and could be charged.

There is no difference on the outside between a Defra approved and one that does not have this status. However, there are some ways that stove manufacturers can do in order to make their products DEFRA Exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren't designed to deprive fires of oxygen. This can cause them to smolder or produce excessive amounts smoke.

To avoid this, stove manufacturers will usually adjust the air vent at the top of a Defra approved stove. This prevents you from closing the vent completely down, as it will cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically located inside the top of the stove, below the base of the stove or on the back of the stove.

Stoves with Defra exemptions are also able to be multifuel stoves, and can be used to burn wood as well as other fuels. This is a great choice if you reside in an area which has been designated as a Smoke Control Zone but you don't want to be bound by the restrictions of only using fuels that are approved. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt will also be able to be fitted with a 5" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer does not insist on the use of a larger size). This is great news for those who are planning on installing woodburning stoves in their homes but are worried about local regulations on smoke.

What are the advantages of a Defra approved stove?

In addition to being compliant with local regulations and providing warmth and a cozy fire, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. For example, they tend to be more efficient than non-Defra certified stoves and consequently reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when they are used. This can lead to substantial savings on heating costs. Defra-approved stoves are also easier to use and have simpler controls than non-approved ones.

When buying a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are many different factors to consider including your needs for heating as well as aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is crucial to take into consideration these aspects. A stove that is defra-exempt is an excellent choice for homeowners who live in smoke-free areas. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

In addition to complying with environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are made to offer superior combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in a more pleasant and consistent flame. In addition they are more durable than non-Defra-approved stoves, which means they last longer and can endure higher temperatures.

Most Defra-approved stoves are compatible to use a 5 " liner for chimneys. This is ideal for homes in smoke-controlled areas. It is important to remember that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or other damp fuels however, it will still emit nuisance fumes and could cause a charge from the local authority.

To obtain Defra approval, stove manufacturers are required to make adjustments to the appliance in order to limit the amount of air it can be starved of during the burning process. The air control at the top is usually modified to stop the complete closure. Shutting off the air supply to a stove too much can cause it to smoulder instead of burning properly and result in nuisance smoke.

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

The most obvious difference is that a defra approved stove will allow you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. Stoves that are approved by Defra have passed tests that show they are able to burn wood safely and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. If you reside in an area that is smoke-free then you can use your new stove without fear of penalties.

A Defra approved stove is more efficient than other types of wood-burning stoves meaning that it will produce more heat and will emit less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them an excellent option for homeowners looking to save money on heating bills and who are concerned 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 determine if the stove is Defra exempt by looking at the specification details or by looking on the website of the manufacturer for more information on the stove.

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

Verify that the stove is Defra exempt. It should be listed on the DEFRA list of authorised appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will boast that their stoves are Defra-exempt but they haven't been tested. It is much easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the cost of becoming Defra exempt.

A stove that has been Defra exempt will guarantee that the wood used to fuel it is sourced sustainably that has been properly seasoned, dried and seasoned before it is burned. This means it is less likely to produce huge amounts of smoke which is good for the environment and helps keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner for longer.

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

You'll need to take into consideration several factors when choosing the right stove for your home. These include style, heat output, and fuel type. You might have noticed on our website that a lot of stoves that burn wood and multi-fuel are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, to the average homeowner, might seem like nothing more than a marketing term but it has very important implications for people living in smoke-free areas.

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 prevents you from closing the air supply valve completely. This is because if you cut the air flow to the fire too much, the wood will start to smoke and create excess smoke, which will be in violation of the law. To prevent this from happening you must make sure that the wood in your stove is kiln dried prior to putting it on the stove.

You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels that are listed on the DEFRA site. These include anthracite, semi-anthracite and gas as well as low volatile steam coal. However, Defra certified stoves if you decide to fit a non-DEFRA approved stove in your home, and you burn wet wood or other fuels that aren't listed on the DEFRA list and you are found to be in violation, you could be fined up to PS1000.

Even if you do not live in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood burner is a good option. They are more eco friendly and friendly to neighbors since they can operate without producing polluting smoke. They also have higher efficiency and will keep your chimney and flue cleaner for longer. It is important to note that all new stoves must to meet the stricter Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations establish minimum efficiency standards, as well as NOX and OGV ceilings and emissions limits that are significantly higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA-exempt appliances.