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 stove then you need a Defra exempt stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.
The stoves that are exempt from Defra regulations are designed to stop the fire from smouldering and reduce the amount of smoke that is produced. They also burn fuel more efficiently.
What is what is a Defra exempt stove?
A Defra Exempt stove is a wood-burning domestic heating device that has passed the tests set 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. Defra exempt stoves can be used in Smoke Control Areas.
If you live in a smoke control area, it is essential to have an DEFRA approved stove, as you are not legally allowed to burn wood (unless you are authorised to burn fuel) without one. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove in a smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.
From the outside, there's 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 make their appliances exempt from DEFRA. The most obvious distinction is that the burners on a DEFRA approved stove are made not to deprive the flame of oxygen, because this could cause it to smoulder and create excessive quantities of smoke.
To avoid this, manufacturers will adjust the top air vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. This will prevent you from being able shut the vent completely, since this could cut off the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is often an incredibly small screw located on the top of the stove, underneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.
Stoves that are Defra Exempt also tend to be multifuel stoves and can therefore be used to burn different kinds of fuels in addition to wood. This is a fantastic option for people who live in areas which are designated as Smoke Control Areas and do not want to limit their use to only authorized fuels. Certain stoves that are exempt from Defra exemptions can be equipped with 5" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on larger dimensions). This is great news for those who plan on installing woodburning stoves in their homes but are worried about local regulations on smoke.
What are the advantages of a Defra-Approved Stove?
In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and supplying a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. They are generally more energy efficient than non-Defra stoves and also reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced. DEFRA compliant stoves list can lead to substantial savings on your heating bills. Stoves that are approved by Defra are also simpler to use and have simpler controls than non-approved ones.
When purchasing an electric or wood-burning stove, there are many different factors to consider including your heating requirements as well as your aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is essential to consider these factors. A stove that is defra-exempt is an excellent choice for homeowners who live in smoke-free areas. They are eco-friendly and have been thoroughly tested.
Defra-approved stoves do not just meet environmental standards, but also provide superior combustion and a wider spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, producing an even and pleasant flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means they can withstand higher temperatures and last for longer.
The majority of Defra-approved stoves allow to use a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes in areas with smoke control. However it is important to note that if you intend to use your stove with wet wood or other damp fuel, this will still produce nuisance smoke and can possibly result in a being prosecuted by the local authority.
To obtain Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make changes to the stove in order to limit the amount of air it will be deprived of during the process of burning. Typically, the top air control is modified to stop it from being shut completely. If you close the air supply too much it could cause the stove to smoke instead of burning properly. This could result in an unpleasant smell of smoke.
What is the Difference Between an approved Defra Stove and a Non-Defra Approved Stove?
A stove that is approved by defra will let you burn wood legally in a Smoke Control Area. However, nondefra-exempt stoves will not. Stoves that have been approved by Defra have passed tests that prove they can safely burn wood and effectively in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive amounts of smoke. If you reside in a region that is smoke-free then you can use the new stove with no risk of penalties.
A Defra-approved stove is also more efficient in terms of energy consumption than other types that produce more heat while emitting less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a great choice for homeowners who are trying to save money and care about the environment.
Stoves that are approved by Defra will carry the Defra Approved Logo that has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also check whether a stove is Defra exempt by examining the specification details or by looking on the website of the manufacturer for more details about the stove.
There are many styles to choose from when you choose a Defra-approved stove. Some are more traditional and look stunning when placed in an old fireplace, or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and will look great in a contemporary living space.
Verify that the stove is Defra exempt. It should appear on the DEFRA list of authorized appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will claim that their stoves are Defra-exempt, even though 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 used to fuel it is sustainable and properly dried before burning. This will mean that it is less likely to generate large quantities of smoke, which is good for the environment, and also helps keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner 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 ideal stove for your home, there's plenty of information you should consider, such as style, heat output and fuel type. You may have noticed that a lot of the wood-burning and multi fuel stoves that are available on our site are described as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, to the average homeowner may appear to be nothing more than a term used to sell products but it has significant implications for those living in smoke-free areas.
In order 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. This is because if you reduce the air flow to the fire too much the wood will begin to smoke and create excess smoke, which could be in breach of the law. To avoid this you should ensure that the wood in your stove is kiln dried prior to using 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 site. These include gas, semi-anthracite and anthracite as well as steam coal with low volatile. However, if you choose to fit a non-DEFRA approved stove in your home and you burn wet wood or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA list and you are found to be in violation, you could be fined up to PS1000.
Even if you do not live in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood burner is a good option. They are more eco friendly and friendly to neighbors since they operate without producing nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and will keep your chimney system and flue cleaner for longer. It is important to know that all new stoves will have to meet the more stringent Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations establish minimum efficiency levels, OGV and NOX ceilings, and emissions limits that are significantly higher than those currently in place for DEFRA-exempt appliances.