Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most commonly used classification for UK towns and cities. If you reside in a Smoke Control Zone and are looking to install a stove, you will require a Defra approved stove. You can identify them by their Defra-approved logo.

The stoves which are exempt from Defra have been designed to stop the fire from smoldering. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also make use of 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 laid out by the Department for Environment, Food and defra registered Stoves Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt Label is only available to stoves that have been independently tested, and have met strict standards regarding emissions. Exempt stoves from Defra are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

You cannot burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove in an area where smoke is controlled. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove in the smoke control zone is a violation of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.

There is no difference on the outside of the one that is Defra approved appliance and one that does not have this status. However, there are a few ways that stove manufacturers can do to make their products DEFRA Exempt. The most obvious distinction is that the burners on the DEFRA approved stove are made not to starve the fire of oxygen as this can cause it to smolder and create excessive quantities of smoke.

To avoid this manufacturers will adjust the air vent at the top of a stove that is Defra approved. This will stop the possibility of shutting the vent completely, as this would cut the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is often a small screw inside the top front of the stove, below the base of the stove or on the back of the stove.

Stoves with Defra exemptions can also be multifuel stoves, and can be used to burn wood, as well as other fuels. This is a great option if you live in an area that has been designated as a Smoke Control Area but you don't want to be bound by the restrictions of only using authorised fuels. 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 a great benefit for those who want to install wood burning stoves but are concerned about local regulations regarding smoke.

What are the advantages of a Defra approved stove?

In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and providing a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide a variety of other advantages. They tend to be more efficient than non-Defra stoves, and also reduce the amount of carbon produced. This can lead to significant savings on your heating bill. Additionally, Defra approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and can be equipped with simple controls.

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when purchasing a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. This includes your heating needs, aesthetic preferences, and your long-term goals. It is crucial to take these factors into consideration when selecting a stove. Choosing for a defra exempt stove is a great option for those living in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves are environmentally friendly and have been tested rigorously.

Defra-approved stoves are not only compliant with the environmental standards, but also provide superior combustion and spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly and creates a pleasant, consistent flame. In addition they are more durable than non-Defra certified stoves, which means they last longer and endure higher temperatures.

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

To obtain Defra approval, stove manufacturers are required to make adjustments to the appliance in order DEFRA stoves online to limit how much air it is deprived of during the burning process. Typically the air control on top will be altered to prevent it from being shut all the way. Closing the air supply to a stove in excess can cause it to smoulder instead of properly burning and result in a nuisance smoke.

What is the Difference Between an approved Defra 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, a nondefra-exempt stove won't. This is because stoves that have been Defra approved have been tested to show they can safely and efficiently burn wood in smoke controlled areas without generating excessive levels of smoke. If you live in an area that is smoke-free you can make use of your new stove without fear of penalties.

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 atmosphere. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who want to cut down on heating bills and who are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that are Defra approved will typically be advertised with the Defra Approved logo which is well-known and is used by the stove industry. You can also determine whether a stove has been Defra-exempt by looking up the specifications or visiting the website of the manufacturer.

When selecting a Defra approved stove, it is important to consider the style you want since there are a myriad of options available. Some are more traditional and look gorgeous when placed in an old fireplace or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and would be a great fit for a more contemporary living space.

You should also make sure that the stove you select is Defra exempt by ensuring that it is listed on DEFRA's list authorised appliances or by ensuring that it has the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will boast that their stoves are Defra-exempt but they haven't been tested. This is because it is simpler 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 sustainable and properly dried before burning. This will decrease the amount of smoke that is produced, which is healthier for the earth. It also helps to 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?

You'll need to take into consideration a number of factors when choosing the right stove for your home. These include the design the heat output, style, and fuel type. You may have noticed on our site that many wood burning and multi fuel stove defra approved-fuel stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This jargon, to the average homeowner might seem like nothing more than a marketing term, however, it has extremely important implications for those living in smoke-free areas.

In order to comply with the laws that prohibit 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 decrease the air flow to the fire to a significant degree it can cause the wood to smoke, and produce excess smoke. This is against the law. To avoid this you should ensure that the wood in your stove is kiln dried before using it on the stove.

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

Even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, an DEFRA exempt wood burner is an option to consider as they are usually more environmentally and neighbour friendly since they operate without creating nuisance smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for longer. However, it is to be noted that by 2022 all new stoves have to meet the more stringent Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiencies OGV, NOX ceilings and have emissions limits which are considerably higher than those currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.