Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

The majority of UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you live in one and want to install a wood burning stove, then you’ll need a Defra exempt stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.

The stoves that are not subject to Defra are designed to prevent the fire from burning. This reduces the amount produced of smoke. They also make use of fuel more efficiently.

What is an 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 independently tested and meet strict criteria regarding emissions. Defra exempt stoves are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

If you live in a smoke control area it is necessary to have an DEFRA approved stove, as it is illegal to burn wood (unless you are an authorized fuel) without one. Installing a non defra burning mdf approved stove within a smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be prosecuted.

From the outside there is no difference between the Defra approved stove and one that hasn’t been granted this status. However, there are some things that stove manufacturers do to make their products DEFRA exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren’t made to starve the fires of oxygen. This can cause them to smolder or create excessive amounts of smoke.

To avoid this manufacturers will alter the air vent at the top of a stove that is Defra-approved. This prevents you from closing the vent completely down, as this could cut off the flow of air to the fire. The adjustment is usually an insignificant screw located inside the front top of the stove, below the stove’s base or on the rear of the oven.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt also tend to be multifuel stoves and may therefore be used to burn other types of fuels alongside wood. This can be a great alternative for those who live in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas however do not want to restrict themselves to using only authorised fuels. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt will also be able to be fitted with a 5″ chimney liner when burning wood (if the manufacturer doesn’t insist on a larger size). This is good news for those who plan on installing woodburning stoves in their homes but are worried about their local smoke regulations.

What are the Benefits of a Defra-Approved Stove?

Defra-approved stoves provide many advantages that include the ability to comply with local regulations and provide an inviting and warm fire. For instance, they are likely to be more efficient in energy use than non-DEFRA certified stoves – butt-mccallum.thoughtlanes.net, and, consequently, reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when they are used. This can result in substantial savings on your heating bills. Stoves that are approved by Defra are also simpler to use and have more simple controls than non-approved stoves.

There are many factors to consider when buying a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel stove. This includes your heating needs and aesthetic preferences, as well as long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is crucial to take into consideration these factors. A defra-exempt stove is an excellent choice for homeowners who live in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.

Apart from meeting environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer superior combustion and flame distribution. This ensures that the fuel is burned evenly and creates a pleasant, consistent flame. In addition, they tend to be more durable than non-Defra approved stoves, which means they will last longer and can withstand more extreme temperatures.

The majority of DEFRA stoves ratings and reviews-approved stoves allow to use a 5 inch liner for chimneys, which is perfect for homes located in areas that are smoke-free. However, it is important to be aware that if you are planning to use your stove with damp wood or another wet fuel, it will create smoke that is not pleasant and could possibly result in a prosecution by the local authority.

In order to achieve Defra approval, stove makers are required to make modifications to the stove in order to limit how much air it is deprived of during the burning process. The air control on the top is usually altered to stop the complete closing. Shutting off the air supply to a stove too much could cause it to smolder rather than burning properly, which in turn will result in a nuisance 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 can legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempted stove won’t. Stoves that have been approved by Defra have passed the tests to prove that they can burn wood safely and effectively in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. If you reside in an area that is smoke controlled, you can make use of your new stove with no risk of fines.

A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other kinds of wood burning stoves, so it will generate more heat and release less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them an excellent choice for homeowners who are looking to save money and are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that are Defra approved are usually advertised with the Defra Approved logo that is easily identifiable and is widely used by the stove industry. You can also find out if a stove is Defra-exempt by examining the specifications or on the website of the manufacturer.

When selecting a Defra approved stove it is important to consider the style that you require since there are a myriad of options available. Some are more traditional in design and look stunning in an old fireplace or inglenook, while others are more modern and will be ideal for a modern living space.

Check that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should appear on the DEFRA list of authorized appliances, or bear the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will advertise that their stoves are Defra-exempt, even though they haven’t been tested. This is because it is simpler to sell a stove with the Clean Burn technology than to test it and then spend the time and money to go through the process of becoming Defra exempt.

A stove that has been Defra exempt will guarantee that the wood that is used to fuel it is sustainably sourced and properly dried, seasoned and before burning. This means it will not produce large quantities of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment and also helps to keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner for longer.

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

You’ll have to consider several factors when choosing the ideal stove for you home. These include the design, heat output, and fuel type. You might have seen on our website that many stoves that burn wood and multi-fuel are premium DEFRA stoves exempted or DEFRA approved. This jargon, to the average homeowner may appear to be nothing more than a marketing term but it has extremely important implications for those living in smoke-free areas.

To ensure compliance with the laws prohibiting the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are designed with an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing the air supply valve completely. This is because if you decrease the air flow to the fire, the wood will start to smoke and create excess smoke, which could be in breach of the law. To avoid this make sure that the wood is dried thoroughly before you put it in the stove.

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

Even if you’re not in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is a good option. They are more eco friendly and neighbor-friendly as they operate without producing nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for a longer period of time. It is important to remember that all new stoves must to meet the stricter Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations define minimum efficiencies and NOX and OGV ceilings and emissions limits that are significantly more than the ones currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.