Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most commonly used classification for UK towns and cities. If you live in a Smoke Control Zone and would like to install an appliance, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.

The stoves that are not subject to Defra have been designed to stop the fire from burning. 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 heating appliance for domestic use that has passed the tests set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been tested independently and meet strict criteria on emissions. Exempt stoves from Defra can be used in Smoke Control Areas.

It is not possible to burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove when you live in a place where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA authorised stove in a smoke control area you'll be in violation of the Clean Air Act and could face prosecution.

From the outside there is no difference between an Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been granted this status. There are a few things stove manufacturers can do to ensure that their products are exempt from DEFRA. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that are not designed to starve the flames of oxygen. This could cause them to smoulder or create excessive amounts of smoke.

To avoid this, stove makers will usually make an adjustment to the air vent at the top of the Defra approved stove. This will prevent you from closing the vent completely down as this would cut the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is typically an incredibly small screw that is located on the front top DEFRA stoves of the stove, below the stove's base, or at the rear of the oven.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt can be multifuel stoves and may therefore be used to burn other kinds of fuels in addition to wood. This can be a great option for those who live in areas which are designated as Smoke Control Areas, DEFRA Approved high-quality stoves but who do not want to restrict their usage to only authorised fuels. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be equipped with five" chimney liner when burning wood (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the larger size). This is great news for those who want to install woodburning stoves, but are worried about local regulations regarding smoke.

What are the Benefits of a Defra Approved Stove?

In addition to complying with local regulations and providing an inviting fire for the winter months, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. For instance, they tend to be more efficient than non-Defra certified stoves and consequently reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when used. This can result in significant 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 buying a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are a variety of different aspects to take into consideration, including your needs for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is crucial to take into consideration these aspects. A stove that is defra-exempt is ideal for those who live in smoke-free areas. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Apart from being environmentally friendly, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer better combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly and produces a consistent, pleasant flame. Additionally they are more durable than non-Defra-approved stoves, which means they last longer and can endure higher temperatures.

As an added benefit, most Defra approved stoves are compatible with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes that are 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, it will still produce nuisance fumes and could result in a prosecution from the local authority.

To get 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 air control on top will be modified to prevent it from being closed all the way. If you close the air supply too tightly, it can cause the stove to smoulder instead of properly burning. This can lead to unpleasant smoke.

What is the difference between a Defra-approved stove and a non-Defra certified stove?

The most obvious difference is that a defra certified stove will allow you to legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove would not. 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 even if you reside in a zone that is smoke-free, you can use your new stove without the possibility of paying hefty fines.

A stove that is DEFRA Approved High-Quality Stoves (Rentry.Co)-approved is more efficient in energy use than other stoves that produce more heat and emitting less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a good choice for homeowners who are trying to save money and are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra approved are usually advertised with the Defra Approved logo which is well-known and is used by the stove industry. You can also find out if the stove is Defra exempt by reading the specification details or by looking on the website of the manufacturer for more information on it.

When selecting a Defra approved stove it is important to consider the style that you require because there are a variety of choices available. Some of these are more traditional and will look stunning 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 it is listed 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 but they haven't been tested. 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, making sure that the wood that is used to fuel it is sustainable and properly dried before burning. This will decrease the amount of smoke that is produced which is better for the environment. It also helps keep chimneys clean for a longer time.

What is the Difference Between a Defra Exempt Stove and a Non-Defra Exempt Stove?

You will need to take into consideration a number of aspects when selecting the best stove for you home. These include style the heat output, style, 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, for the average homeowner, may seem to be nothing more than a term used to sell products, however, it has extremely important implications for those who live in smoke controlled areas.

To comply with the laws prohibiting the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners have an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing the air supply valve all the way. If you decrease the air flow to the fire to a significant degree it will cause the wood to smolder, and produce excess smoke. This is against the law. To prevent this from happening, you will need to ensure that the wood you use in your stove is kiln dried prior to putting it on the stove.

You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels that are listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites, gas, and steam coal that is low volatile. If you install a stove that is not DEFRA-compliant in your home and use wet wood or other fuels not on the DEFRA's list, you could be subject to penalties of up to PS1000.

Even if you do not live in the Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is a good option. They are more environmentally friendly and neighbor-friendly as they can operate without producing polluting smoke. They also have higher efficiency and will keep your chimney and flue clean for longer. It is important to know that all new stoves will have to meet the more stringent Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations define minimum efficiency standards, as well as NOX and OGV ceilings and emission limits that are much higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.