Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most popular 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 Defra approved logo.

Exempt stoves from Defra are constructed to prevent the fire from burning, which reduces the amount of smoke produced. They also burn fuel more efficiently.

What is a Defra exempt stove?

A Defra Exempt Stove is a wood-burning domestic heating appliance which has passed the tests conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been independently tested and have met the strictest standards for emissions. Stoves with the Defra Exempt label are suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas.

It is not possible to burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove in an area where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke control area you could be in violation of the Clean Air Act and DEFRA Legislation stoves could be charged.

From the outside, there is no distinction between the Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been granted this status. However, there are a few ways that stove manufacturers can use to make their appliances DEFRA exempt. The most obvious difference 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 stop this from happening manufacturers will alter the top air vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. This will prevent you from being able to shut the vent completely down, as it will cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically an incredibly small screw that is located on the front of the stove, beneath the base of stove or at the rear of the oven.

Stoves with Defra exemptions can also be multifuel stoves, and can be used to burn wood and other fuels. This is a great option for those who you live in an area that has been designated as a Smoke Control Zone and you don't want to be restricted to only using fuels that are approved. Certain stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be equipped with a 5" chimney liner when burning wood (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the larger size). This is good news for those who plan on installing woodburning stoves in their homes, but are concerned about local regulations on smoke.

What are the advantages of a Defra-Approved Stove?

In addition to being compliant with local regulations and providing a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. They tend to be more efficient than non-Defra stoves, and reduce the amount carbon that is produced. This can lead to substantial savings on your heating bills. In addition, DEFRA Legislation Stoves approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves and can be fitted with simple controls.

When purchasing a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are different aspects to take into consideration, including your requirements for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is important to consider these factors. A defra-exempt stove can be ideal for those who live in smoke-controlled areas. They have been thoroughly tested and adhere to strict environmental guidelines and can reduce the impact your stove can have on the environment.

Defra-approved stoves are not only compliant with environmental standards but also offer superior combustion and spread of flame. This ensures the fuel burns evenly and creates a pleasant, consistent flame. In addition they are more durable than non-Defra-approved stoves, meaning they last longer and are able to withstand more extreme temperatures.

Additionally is that the majority of Defra approved stoves are compatible with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is perfect for homes that are located in smoke-free areas. It is crucial to keep in mind that if you decide to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels that are damp the stove will still emit nuisance fumes and could lead to prosecution from the local authorities.

In order to achieve Defra approval, stove manufacturers are required to make modifications to the appliance to limit the amount of air it will be deprived of during the process of burning. Typically, the top air control will be modified to prevent it from being shut all the way. Closing the air supply to a stove for too long could cause it to smolder instead of burning properly and, in turn, result in a nuisance smoke.

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

The most obvious distinction is that a defra-approved stove is able to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempted stove won't. Stoves that are Defra-approved have passed the tests to prove that they can safely burn wood and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas, without producing excessive amounts of smoke. This means that even if you reside in a zone that is smoke-free, you can use your new stove without possibility of paying hefty fines.

A Defra-approved stove is also more efficient in terms of energy consumption than other types, producing more heat and emitting less harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This makes them an excellent option for homeowners seeking to save money and care about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra approved are usually advertised with the Defra Approved logo which is well-known and has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also determine if the stove is Defra exempt by looking at the specifications or checking on the manufacturers website for information about the stove.

There are many styles available when choosing a Defra-approved stove. Some of these are more traditional in design and look great in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook, while others are more contemporary and will fit in a modern home.

Also, make sure that the stove you choose is Defra exempt by ensuring that it appears on DEFRA's list authorised appliances or by checking whether it is stamped with the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will advertise that their stoves are Defra-exempt however they haven't been tested. This is because it is easier to sell a stove that features the Clean Burn technology than to test it and spend the time and money to go through the process of becoming DEFRA approved energy-efficient stoves exempt.

A stove that has been Defra exempt will make sure that the wood that is used to power it is sourced sustainably and properly dried, seasoned and before being burned. This will reduce the amount of smoke produced which is better for the environment. It also helps to keep chimneys clean for longer.

What is the difference between an Exempt Stove that is Defra-compliant and the Non-Defra Exempt Stove?

When it comes to choosing the best stove for your home, there is many factors you should take into consideration, including style, heat output and fuel type. You may have noticed that many of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves available on our site are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This jargon, to the average homeowner, might seem like nothing more than a marketing term, however, it has significant implications for those living in smoke-free areas.

To ensure compliance with the laws that prohibit the sale of logs within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners come with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing down the air supply valve completely. If you decrease the flow of air to the fire in excess it will cause the wood to smoke and emit smoke. This is against the law. To prevent this from happening you must make sure that the wood in your stove is dried to a certain degree prior to putting it on the stove.

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

Even if you do not reside in the Smoke Control Area or Smoke Control Zone, a DEFRA exempt wood burner is still an excellent option since they are typically more environmentally and neighbor-friendly because they can be operated without creating nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient, and will keep your chimney system and flue cleaner for a longer period of time. It is important to know that all new stoves must to meet the stricter Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations establish minimum efficiencies and OGV and NOX ceilings, and emissions limits that are significantly more than the ones currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.