Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most commonly used classification for UK cities and towns. If you live in a Smoke Control Area and would like to install a stove, you’ll need a Defra approved stove. You can identify them by their logos that are Defra-approved.

The stoves that are exempt from Defra are designed to prevent the fire from burning. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also make use of fuel more efficiently.

What is a Defra Exempt Stove?

A DEFRA registered stoves Exempt stove is a wood-burning domestic heating device that has passed the tests laid out 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 are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

You can’t burn wood without a DEFRA guidelines stoves-approved stove if you live in an area where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA authorised stove in a smoke control area you will be in breach of the Clean Air Act and could be prosecuted.

There is not much difference from the outside of a defra stove approved stove and one that does not have this status. However, there are some things that stove makers use to ensure that their appliances are DEFRA exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that are not designed to starve flames of oxygen. This can cause them to smoke or emit excessive amounts of smoke.

To prevent this manufacturers will alter the top vent of a stove that is Defra approved. This prevents you from closing the vent all the way down, as it would cut off the supply of air to the fire. The adjustment is typically a small screw inside the top front 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 kinds of fuels along with wood. This is a great choice if you reside in an area that has been designated as a Smoke Control Zone but you don’t want to be bound by to be restricted to only using fuels that are approved. Some stoves that have Defra exemption can also be equipped with 5″ liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn’t insist on larger dimensions). This is great news for those who wish 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 offering a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. For instance, they tend to have higher energy efficiency than non-Defra approved stoves and consequently reduce the amount of carbon produced when they are used. This can lead to significant savings on your heating costs. DEFRA stoves reviews-approved stoves are also easier to use and have more simple controls than stoves that are not approved.

There are a variety of factors to take into consideration when purchasing a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. These include your heating requirements and aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. It is essential to take these factors into consideration when selecting a stove. Choosing for a stove that is exempt from defra is a good option for those living in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves have been rigorously tested and adhere to strict environmental guidelines, and can aid in reducing the impact your stove will have on the environment.

Aside from being environmentally friendly, Defra approved stoves are made to offer superior combustion and flame distribution. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in a more pleasant and consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means that they can stand up to higher temperatures and last for longer.

The majority of Defra-approved stoves allow to use a 5 inch liner for chimneys, which is ideal for homes in areas with smoke control. It is crucial to keep in mind that if you plan to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness the stove will still emit toxic fumes that could result in a prosecution from the local authorities.

In order to achieve Defra approval, stove makers are required to make adjustments to the appliance to limit how much air it will be deprived of during the process of burning. Typically the air control on top will be altered to prevent it from being shut completely. The air supply that is shut off to a stove for too long could cause it to smolder instead of properly burning, which in turn will result in a nuisance smoke.

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

The most obvious distinction is that a defra approved 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 been tested to show they can effectively and safely burn wood in smoke controlled areas without releasing excessive levels of smoke. This means that even if you reside in a smoke-free zone, you will be able to use your new stove with no possibility of costly fines.

A stove that is approved by Defra is more efficient in terms of energy consumption than other types that produce more heat and emitting less harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who wish to save money on heating costs 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 has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also find out if a stove is Defra-exempt by looking up the specifications or the website of the manufacturer.

There are many styles to choose from when choosing a Defra-approved stove. Some of these are more traditional and look great in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Other stoves are more modern and would be ideal for a modern living space.

Check that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should appear on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as being Defra exempt even though they have not been tested to demonstrate it. It is easier to sell a Clean Burn stove than to test it and incur the cost of becoming DEFRA Stoves comparison exempt.

A stove that is Defra exempt will make sure that the wood used to power it is sustainably sourced that has been properly seasoned, dried and seasoned before it is burned. This means it is less likely to generate huge amounts of smoke which is good for the environment, and also helps to keep chimneys and flue systems clean for longer.

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

When you are deciding on the right stove for your home, there’s a lot of information that you should consider, such as design, heat output and fuel type. You might have noticed on our website that many wood burning and multi-fuel stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This jargon, to the average homeowner may appear to be nothing more than a term used to sell products but it has very important implications for people living in smoke-free areas.

In order to comply with the laws that ban the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are designed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you reduce the flow of air to the fire in excess it will cause the wood to smoulder and create smoke. This will be against the law. To prevent this from happening make sure that the wood is dried thoroughly before you put it in the stove.

You can also use an exempt DEFRA wood burner in an Smoke Control Area, if you only use the approved fuels that are listed on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites and semi-anthracites as well as gas, and steam coal with low volatile. If you install a non-DEFRA endorsed stoves 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 do not reside in a Smoke Control Area or Smoke Control Zone, the DEFRA exempt wood burner is an option to consider as they are usually more environmentally and friendly to neighbours since they operate without producing nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue cleaner for a longer period of time. However, it must be noted that by 2022 all new stoves have to meet the stricter Ecodesign regulations which set minimum efficiency OGV, NOX ceilings as well as emission limits which are considerably higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.