What is a DEFRA Approved Wood Burning Stove?

If you reside in a smoke-free area, you'll require a DEFRA approved wood burning stove. These stoves allow you to legally use authorized fuels without violating the law or causing upset to your neighbours.

The latest Defra-approved stoves use the latest technology for clean burning, using secondary and tertiary systems to reduce emissions. They can be combined with a wide range of smokeless fuels.

Defra Approved

The term 'Defra approved stove' may appear to be a confusing word, but in actual fact it is simply an wood-burning stove that has been granted a waiver from UK zones of smoke control. To obtain Defra approval, a stove must undergo rigorous testing. If successful it will be awarded the official title of DEFRA Smoke Exempt Appliance.

Stoves that are Defra approved are able to only burn approved fuels and obviously wood - and they must do this efficiently and with very little smoke. These stoves use the latest technology for combustion, which stops part-burned combustibles going up the chimney and into the air. This is great for the environment, and reduces the risk of a blocked chimney.

We have a range of multi-fuel stoves, both traditional and modern. This includes the stunning Portway Arundel XL which has an enormous, panoramic glass panel that provides an unobstructed view and the pleasure of a warm fireplace.

It has an A energy rating, overnight log burning capability and a body made of steel to ensure excellent heat retention as well as being Defra approved and priced at PS1,499. Bohemia X60 Cube Panoramic Multifuel Stove is another one worth taking into consideration. This multifuel DEFRA features the power output of 3 and 9kW, and it has a heating efficiency of A +. It's a great option for those who live in smoke-controlled areas.

For those looking for something a little more traditional, there's the ESSE 700 Vista. A Defra approved stove that has lots of style and quality, it offers an overnight log burning capacity and a great A+ energy rating, as well as being capable of being used in the DEFRA smoke control area thanks to the patented twin catalytic technology. This is a top DEFRA stoves-quality stove, and it also complies with the new Eco Design 2022 regulations.

Eco Design Ready

Eco Design regulations are an important part of the UK government's clean air strategy. The regulations were enacted to reduce harmful emissions produced by wood burning stoves in the UK. It is now illegal for a wood-burning stove to be made that is not compliant with Ecodesign regulations. Stoves that are already in the supply chain could continue to be sold, however by 2022, all new installations must to be Eco Design compliant.

As we are a Stove Industry Alliance member, we carry a selection of Eco Design approved wood-burning stoves. These stoves have been tested independently to ensure they emit lower levels of particulates than open flames. SIA Eco Design stoves also produce 80% less CO2 emissions than open fire.

The testing process involves measuring particulate (PM) organic gases (OGC) and nitrogen oxides. You can be assured that a SIA-approved Eco Design stove has been designed to reduce the production of these harmful chemicals.

Eco Design Ready stoves must meet lower emission levels in all tests. They must also be more efficient in their fuel usage and produce less harmful by-products. Many of our Eco Design approved wood burners come with advanced combustion technologies including secondary air supplies and catalytic converters to limit the production of harmful emissions when operating.

Not only are Eco Design approved stoves better for the environment, they're also more cost-effective to run. This is due to the fact that they use less fuel to generate the same amount of heat, which means you'll save on your energy costs. A wood-burning stove will also help you to heat your home more efficiently. By relying on wood to power your stove, you're able to free yourself from the ever-increasing cost of electricity and gas.

Exempt

The stoves exempted by Defra have been tested and examined to ensure that they are legal to use in Smoke Control Areas. This means that you can burn wood, or any other fuels that are approved inside them (including various types of smokeless fuels).

These stoves are designed for the minimum amount combustion air needed for a clean and efficient burn. They produce less smoke than older open fires or wood burning stoves. They are also energy efficient and be a cost-effective method to heat your house.

Additionally, they are an excellent choice for those who reside in Smoke Control Areas These stoves are a fantastic alternative to heating with fossil fuels in general. They are often cheaper than traditional electric or gas fires, and if buy DEFRA stoves your logs locally, they are also carbon neutral.

It is essential to remember that if you are in Smoke Control Area then only dry, seasoned wood can be used to fuel your DEFRA exempt stove. Burning damp or wet wood could cause excessive smoke which will violate the law and result in the levy of a fine.

You can contact your local authority to find out if you live in a smoke control area. These are typically big cities and towns where smoke pollution is a major problem for residents.

The DEFRA approved wood burning stoves that we carry are all Eco Design Ready and have been independently tested to ensure that they meet strict EU-wide standards. They include minimum efficiencies as well as ceilings for OGV and NOX as well as emission limits. The new EU Ecodesign regulations 2022 will make these requirements more stringent. Make sure to check with your stove's manufacturer if considering buying one to ensure that it will comply.

Manufacturers are always improving their products. Secondary and tertiary systems are employed to further reduce the emissions of their stoves. With the introduction of these innovative technologies, DEFRA stoves are becoming more eco-friendly and cost-effective for homeowners who need a reliable alternative to their open fire or inefficient electric stove.

Smoke Control Area

A DEFRA approved stove, also referred to a Defra exempt stove is a wood-burning multi fuel stove that has passed the strict UK government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs guidelines for smoke emissions. The stove can only emit a certain amount of smoke in normal operation. Look for the DEFRA logo or label on the stove or its packaging to identify it. In addition, most reputable stove retailers display the fact that a specific stove is DEFRA approved on their websites and in their showrooms.

If you reside in an area that is subject to smoke control and smoke control, you must use a DEFRA-approved burner or log stove. These areas are categorized local and are usually urban areas with a high density. The aim of the Smoke Control Area regulations is to ensure healthy air quality standards by limiting the amount of particulate matter released into the air by combustion in residential homes. You could be penalized if you use the use of a non DEFRA stove in the Smoke Control Area.

DEFRA approved stoves do not just meet the regulations of the government but also offer other advantages. They offer a high degree of efficiency that results in a lower consumption of fuel and a smaller carbon footprint. These stoves also have advanced features that ensure their safety over open fires. These include automatic ignition systems, thermocouple sensors and automatic venting.

Stove manufacturers have also developed secondary and third-generation combustion techniques to further reduce the emissions of their stoves. This is not just good for the environment, but it will also save you the cost of heating. If you're buying a brand new stove for a Smoke Control Area, be sure to use only dry and properly seasoned firewood.

In addition to the potential legal consequences, failure to follow wood stove safety and emission guidelines can also risk your home's insurance coverage. Many insurance companies require homeowners to comply with regulatory standards in order to receive insurance coverage for fire related incidents. If you are found in violation of these standards during an investigation or inspection the insurer could deny to pay for any damage caused by your appliance that is not in compliance.