The Benefits of DEFRA Exempt Wood Burners

DEFRA approved wood burning stoves are an excellent choice for homeowners living within smoke control zones. These stoves have been thoroughly tested and are able to operate within strict regulations.

Stoves that are approved will usually be identified with the letter the letter 'SE', which means Smoke Exempt. They are able to be used in smoke-controlled areas but only when burning Defra Approved Fuels, namely wood and manufactured smokeless fuels.

Smoke Exempt

DEFRA exempt stoves for wood burning or Defra approved stoves are designed to conform to the Department of Environment's (DEFRA) regulations. The stoves have been tested and inspected to ensure that they use fuel more efficiently and generate little or no smoke. They have low emissions levels and their efficiency in combustion is so high that even part-burnt fuels such as soot and ash are reburned before they can escape up your chimney and out into the atmosphere.

If you reside in a city or town that is classified as a Smoke Control Area then it is essential that your stove is DEFRA exempt and can be used with authorised fuels. Smoke from your chimney is illegal if you do not use an exempt appliance, or fuels that are approved. Exempt Defra stoves are more suitable for your chimney as they burn fuel cleaner and produce less smoke. Your chimney and flue will remain cleaner for longer.

We offer a large selection of Defra exempt stoves from the world's leading manufacturers including Stovax and Arada. We only offer the highest quality products and you can be sure that your new stove will be an appropriate addition to your home.

It is a common misconception that you must buy a Defra-exempt stove when your home is located within a smoke-control area. This isn't the case. You can still put an un-DEFRA stove in your home if it is fitted with an 6" (150mm) flue liner, and that you only use it with authorized briquettes or other smokeless fuels.

We suggest you select an Defra approved model if you wish to ensure that you are able to use wood legally in your DEFRA-exempt stove. These stoves were designed to comply with UK standards for environmental protection. They have been tested and certified as DEFRA exempt. This means they produce minimal smoke. These stoves are also more efficient than the older models, meaning you can heat the property using fewer wood logs. Our range of Defra stoves are available in a variety of colors and styles, so you're bound to find the right model for your home.

Clean Burn

Wood-burning stoves and open fires can produce smoke that can be harmful to the health of people in your home as as those nearby. Fine particles in the smoke can cause respiratory problems, such as asthma. Modern stoves that are exempt from DEFRA are designed to minimize the harmful effects of this smoke.

These wood burners have been thoroughly tested and inspected to ensure that they meet Department of Environment regulations. These stoves are designed to burn fuel more efficiently and produce less pollution. These stoves also emit clear, clear vapour instead of the dark smoke associated with older open fires and log burning stoves.

Modern DEFRA-exempt stoves come with secondary and tertiary mechanisms that are responsible for the lower smoke particles. This means that the air within the combustion chamber is constantly being circulated, which makes it far more difficult for these particles to escape into the chimney.

This also means that you can only burn authorised fuels on your DEFRA exempt wood stove (such as dry seasoned firewood). The airflow system of these modern stoves also helps keep the combustion chamber spotless so that the build-up of soot is minimized, and gas can easily escape through the flue.

According to Defra the new wood stove that is DEFRA-approved and has an EcoDesign baffle can produce 350 times less pollution than traditional stoves that burn wood or open fire. Installing one of these modern, efficient stoves in a Smoke-Control Area is essential to safeguard both your health and the health of your neighbors.

You can also install a DEFRA Approved multi-fuel stove and utilize a variety fuels including peat, briquettes and other varieties of manufactured solid fuel which can be purchased at supermarkets. However, it is recommended to only use dry 'Ready To Burn' seasoned wood, and never burn painted or treated timber as these will produce more pollutants than untreated timber.

Easy Maintenance

A DEFRA-exempt wood burning stove is easy to maintain. Regular maintenance and cleaning checks will help to extend its lifespan. These stoves also are very efficient, allowing you to save money on your heating bill and reduce your consumption of fuel by up to 50%. The emissions produced by these stoves are also far lower than other types of stoves, and they are a greener alternative for fossil fuels.

These kinds of wood stoves are simple to set up and are suitable for all homes, especially if you live in an urban area. They have passed Defra testing, meaning you can legally use them in smoke control zones without breaking the law or the risk of a large fine.

Defra approved wood stoves are also typically less expensive to run than other stoves, as they have advanced combustion technology which ensures that the fire burns effectively. This means less carbon monoxide, particulates and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere. This is good for your health and your family's.

Additionally, the DEFRA exempt stoves have been certified through various initiatives, such as the Clearskies scheme and Ecodesign which means that they meet rigorous emissions and efficiency requirements. These certifications are advertised on the stoves that we carry, and they provide you with assurance that you are buying an environmentally-friendly and safe model.

There is a wide selection of Defra exempt stoves on Stoves Direct, including many traditional styles that are perfect for an inglenook fireplace or a fireplace chamber. We also offer modern, sleek designs that are perfect for an easy mantle or surround. If you're considering buying one of our Defra exempt wood burning stoves it's important to consider the style you'd like to see for your home, and how it will fit with the interior decor.

You can only use a Defra-exempt stove in the Smoke Control Area. This will help you save money if you're trapped with a wood-burning fire. The stove is also a great option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The wood from the tree absorbs CO2 during its growth and releases it back into the atmosphere when it is burnt.

Smoke Control Areas Suitable

Many UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas, so a wood-burning stove that's been DEFRA approved is essential. This means that it has passed rigorous tests and is safe to use in these areas. These tests ensure that particulates that are produced by the stove will not pollute the air. These toxins can lead to the dark smoke visible from chimneys within smoke control zones. They can be harmful to the health and cause annoyance to neighbours.

Local councils have therefore introduced laws to tackle the issue by prohibiting the use of open fireplaces and non-DEFRA-exempt appliances. But the good part is that you can still have a stove in your home if it is DEFRA exempt and you only burn approved fuel.

Stoves that have been approved for use in a Smoke Control Area will be marked as in the Smoke Control Area and have been tested to make sure that they meet or exceed strict emission and efficiency standards. Stoves that are exempt from Defra regulations are also more eco-friendly compared to other types of woodburners, as they use advanced secondary and tertiary combustion systems which reduce their carbon footprint.

The simplest way to find out if you live in a smoke-free zone is to contact your local council and ask for more details. You can also find out by looking up your home's postcode online, but it is Recommended DEFRA Stoves to go to the website of your local council to find out more in-depth information since each district of the UK might be different.

Even if you don't reside in a Smoke Control Area a Defra-exempt wood burning stove is an excellent investment. It is more environmentally friendly and also more considerate of neighbors. A stove that is approved by premium DEFRA stoves will produce less smoke, which keeps your chimney and flue cleaner for longer. Most leading stove manufacturers, such as Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, offer a range of smokeless models that are DEFRA exempt.