Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
Most UK cities and large towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you reside in one of them and wish to install a wood stove then you'll require a Defra exempt 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 smouldering. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel better.
What is what is a 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 Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt Label is only available to stoves that have been tested independently, and have met strict standards regarding emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are safe to be used in Smoke Control Areas.
If you reside in a smoke-control area, it is essential to have a DEFRA approved stove since you cannot legally burn wood (unless you are an authorised fuel) without one. Installing try this website approved stove within the smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.
From the outside, there is no difference between an Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been awarded this status. There are however a few things that stove manufacturers do to make their products DEFRA exempt. The most obvious difference is that the burners on a DEFRA approved stove are designed not to deprive the fire of oxygen since this could cause it to smolder and release excessive amounts of smoke.
To prevent this manufacturers will adjust the top vent of a stove that is Defra approved. This will stop you from being able to shut the vent all the way down, since this would cut off the supply of air to the fire. The adjustment is usually an incredibly small screw located on the top of the stove, beneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.
Stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be multifuel stoves and may therefore be used to burn other types of fuels alongside wood. This is a great alternative for those who reside in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas however do not want to restrict their usage to only authorised fuels. Some stoves with Defra exemptions can also be equipped with 5" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't demand the larger size). This is good news for those who plan to install wood-burning stoves in their homes, but are concerned about the local regulations regarding smoke.
What are the Benefits of a Defra Approved Stove?
In addition to being compliant with local regulations and supplying warmth and a cozy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. They tend to be more energy efficient than non-Defra stoves and can reduce the amount of carbon that is produced. This can result in substantial savings on your heating costs. Stoves that are approved by Defra are also simpler to use and have more simple controls than non-approved stoves.
When purchasing an electric or wood-burning stove, there are many different aspects to take into consideration, including your needs for heating as well as 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 are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.
Defra-approved stoves do not just meet environmental standards but also offer superior combustion and a wider spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in more pleasing and consistent flame. Additionally, they tend to be more durable than non-Defra certified stoves, which means they last longer and are able to endure higher temperatures.
Additionally to this, the majority of Defra approved stoves work with a 5" chimney liner, which is ideal for homes that are located in smoke-free areas. It is essential to remember that if you plan to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness however, it will still emit unpleasant fumes and may result in a prosecution from the local authority.
To achieve Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make modifications to their appliances to limit the amount of air that will be lost during the burning process. Typically the air control on top is modified to stop it from closing all the way. If you close the air supply too much, it can cause the stove to smoulder instead of burning properly. This could result in unpleasant smoke.
What is the Difference Between a Defra Approved Stove and a Non-Defra Approved Stove?
The most obvious distinction 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 have been Defra approved have passed tests to prove that they are able to safely and efficiently burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. This means that if you live in a smoke control area you can use your new stove with no risk of hefty fines.
A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other types of wood burning stoves, which means it will generate more heat and release less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who are looking to save money while caring about the environment.
Stoves that are Defra approved will typically be advertised with the Defra Approved logo, which is very recognisable and has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also check whether a stove is Defra exempt by examining the specifications or checking on the manufacturers website for information about the stove.
When selecting a Defra approved stove it is essential to think about the style that you require because there are a variety of choices to choose from. Some of these are more traditional in design and will look beautiful in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Other stoves are more modern and will suit a contemporary living space.
Check that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should appear on the DEFRA list of authorized appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers advertise their stoves as being Defra exempt even though they haven't been tested to demonstrate that they are. It is much easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test it and incur the expense of becoming Defra-exempt.
A stove that is Defra exempt will guarantee that the wood that is used to fuel it is sustainable and properly dried, seasoned and before being burned. This will decrease the amount of smoke produced, which is healthier for the earth. It also helps to keep chimneys clean for longer.
What is the difference between an exempt stove that is Defra-compliant and a non-Defra exempt stove?
When it comes to selecting the ideal stove for your home, there's many factors you will need to consider, such as design, heat output and fuel type. You may be aware that a number of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves that are available on our website are described as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that to an average homeowner, may seem like a marketing phrase. However it is a significant issue for those who live in smoke-free areas.
In order to comply with the laws that ban the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are constructed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve all the way. This is because if you decrease the air flow to the fire too much the wood will begin to smolder and release excess smoke, which will be in violation of 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 use the DEFRA exempt wood burner within a Smoke Control Area if you only burn the approved fuels listed on the DEFRA website. These include gas, semi-anthracite, and anthracite as well as steam coal with low volatile. If you install a non-DEFRA stove in your house and burn wet wood, or any other fuels not on the DEFRA's list, you could be subject to penalties of up to PS1000.
Even if you don't live in the Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is a good option. They are more eco friendly and neighbor-friendly as they are able to operate without generating harmful smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for longer. However, it must be noted that by 2022 all new stoves must comply with the stricter Ecodesign regulations that set minimum efficiencies OGV, NOX ceilings as well as emission limits which are considerably higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.