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 Area and are looking to install a stove, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can identify them through their logos that are Defra-approved.

The stoves which are exempt from Defra are designed to prevent the fire from smoldering. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel more efficiently.

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 only used for stoves that have been tested independently, Defra certified stoves and meet strict criteria regarding emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are safe to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

It is not possible to burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in an area where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA compliant stoves list authorised stove in a smoke control zone, you will be in breach of the Clean Air Act and could be prosecuted.

There is little difference from the outside between a Defra approved appliance and one that does not have this status. However, there are a few things that stove makers do to make their products DEFRA Exempt. The most obvious difference is that the burners on the DEFRA approved stove are made not to starve the fire of oxygen, since this could cause it to smolder and create excessive quantities of smoke.

To avoid this manufacturers will alter the top vent of a Defra-approved stove. This will stop you from being able shut the vent completely, since this could cut off the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is usually an insignificant screw located inside the front top of the stove, underneath the stove's base, or on the rear of the oven.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt also tend to be multifuel stoves that can therefore be used to burn different kinds of fuels along with wood. This is a fantastic alternative for those who reside in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas however don't want to limit their use to only authorized fuels. Some stoves that have Defra exemption can also be equipped with five" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't demand larger dimensions). This is great news for people who are planning to install wood-burning stoves in their homes, but are concerned about local regulations on smoke.

What are the benefits of a Defra-approved stove?

Defra-approved stoves offer many benefits they can provide, such as the ability to meet local regulations and provide a warm and cozy fire. For instance, they are likely to have higher energy efficiency than non-Defra certified stoves and therefore reduce the amount of carbon emissions when they are used. This can lead to substantial savings on your heating bills. In addition, Defra approved stoves are generally more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and may be equipped with simple controls.

When purchasing an electric or wood-burning stove, there are a variety of various factors to take into account, such as your heating requirements as well as aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. It is essential to take these aspects into consideration when selecting a stove. Choosing for a defra-exempt stove is a good option for homeowners living in smoke-free areas. They are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Defra-approved stoves do not just meet the environmental standards, but also provide superior combustion and spread of flame. This ensures the fuel burns evenly and creates a pleasant, consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means that they can withstand higher temperatures and last longer.

Additionally is that the majority of Defra approved stoves are compatible with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is perfect for homes located in smoke-free areas. It is important to remember that if you decide to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness the stove will still emit toxic fumes that could result in a prosecution from the local authority.

In order to achieve Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make changes to the appliance in order to limit how much air it can be starved of during the process of burning. Typically the air control on top will be modified to prevent it from being closed completely. If you close 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?

The most obvious distinction is that a defra certified stove is able to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. This is because stoves that are Defra approved have passed tests to prove they can safely and effectively burn wood in smoke controlled areas without generating excessive levels of smoke. This means that when you live in a zone that is smoke-free, you will be able to use your new stove with no possibility of costly fines.

A Defra approved stove is more efficient than other kinds of wood burning stoves, so it will generate more heat and emit less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a good choice for homeowners who want 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, which has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also find out if a stove is Defra exempt by looking at the specifications or looking on the website of the manufacturer for more information on the stove.

When selecting a Defra approved stove, it is important to consider the style that you require since there are a myriad of choices available. Some of these are more traditional and look great in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook while others are more contemporary and will be ideal for a modern living space.

Make sure the stove is Defra-exempt. It should be listed on the DEFRA list of authorised appliances, or bear the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as Defra exempt, even though they haven't been tested to show that they are. 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, ensuring that the wood used to fuel it is sustainable and properly dried prior to burning. This will decrease the amount of smoke generated, which is healthier for the earth. It also helps keep chimneys in good condition for longer.

What is the Difference Between an Exempt Stove that is Defra-compliant and the Non-Defra Exempt Stove?

You'll need to take into consideration a number of aspects when selecting the best stove for your home. These include style as well as 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 jargon however, it can have significant implications for those living in smoke-free areas.

To ensure compliance 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 all the way. This is because if you cut the air flow to the fire too much the wood will begin to smoulder and produce excess smoke, which could be in violation of the law. To prevent this from happening you should ensure that the wood in your stove is dried out prior to using it on the stove.

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

Even if you do not reside in an area designated as a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, an DEFRA exempt wood burner is still an option to consider as they are typically more environmentally and neighbour friendly since they operate without producing polluting smoke. They are also more efficient and keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for longer. However, it must be noted that by 2022, all new stoves must meet the stricter Ecodesign regulations, which establish minimum efficiency OGV and NOX ceilings, and have emission limits that are significantly higher than the limits currently in use for DEFRA exempt appliances.