Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
Smoke Control Areas are the most popular classification for UK cities and towns. If you live in a Smoke Control Area and are looking to install an appliance, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can recognize them by their Defra approved logo.
The stoves that are not subject to Defra are designed to stop the fire from burning. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel better.
What is a Defra Exempt Stove?
A Defra 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 independently tested and have met the strictest standards for emissions. The stoves that are Defra Exempt are safe for use in Smoke Control Areas.
You can't burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove when you live in an area where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke control zone, you'll be in violation of the Clean Air Act and could face prosecution.
From the outside, there is very little distinction between the Defra approved stove and one that has not been given this status. There are a few ways stove makers can do to make their appliances exempt from DEFRA. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren't made to starve fires of oxygen. This could cause them to smoke or create excessive amounts of smoke.
To avoid this, stove makers will usually make an adjustment to the air vent at the top of an Defra approved stove. This will stop the possibility of shutting the vent completely down since this could cut off the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is usually a small screw inside the top of the stove, underneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.
my explanation 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 option for those who you live in an area that is designated as a Smoke Control Area but you don't want to be bound by to be restricted to only using authorised fuels. Certain stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be fitted with a 5" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer does not insist on the use of a larger size). This is great news for those looking to install woodburning stoves but are concerned about local smoke regulations.
What are the benefits of a Defra approved stove?
Defra-approved stoves provide many advantages, including the ability to meet local regulations and provide a warm and cozy fire. For instance, they are likely to have higher energy efficiency than stoves that are not Defra approved and consequently reduce the amount of carbon emissions when used. This can result in significant savings on heating costs. The stoves that are Defra-approved are also easier to use and have more simple controls than stoves that are not approved.
When you are looking to purchase an electric or wood-burning stove, there are different factors to consider such as your needs for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is important to consider these factors. A stove that is defra-exempt is ideal for those who live in smoke-controlled areas. They have been thoroughly tested and adhere to strict environmental guidelines and can help to minimise the impact your stove has on the environment.
Defra-approved stoves are not only compliant with the environmental standards, but also provide superior combustion and spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel is burned evenly and produces a consistent, pleasant 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.
Most stoves that are Defra-approved are able to use a 5 " liner for chimneys. This is perfect for homes located in areas with smoke control. However it is important to be aware that if you intend on using your stove with damp wood or another wet fuel, this will still produce nuisance smoke and can potentially lead to prosecution by the local authority.
To get Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make modifications to their equipment to restrict the amount of air that could be removed during the combustion process. Typically the air control at the top will be modified to prevent it from closing all the way. Shutting off the air supply to a stove for too long can cause it to smoulder instead of burning properly and result in a nuisance smoke.
What is the difference between a Defra-approved stove and a non-Defra certified stove?
A stove that has been approved by the defra can let burning wood legally within a Smoke Control Area. However, an exempt stove that is not defra-approved isn't. This is because stoves that are Defra approved have been tested to prove they can safely and efficiently burn wood in smoke controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. This means that if you live in a smoke-free zone, you can use your new stove without the possibility of costly fines.
A Defra-approved stove is also more efficient in energy use than other stoves, producing more heat and emitting less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a good option for homeowners looking to cut down on heating bills and who are concerned about the environment.
Stoves which have been Defra-approved will be advertised with the Defra Approved Logo, which has been adopted by stove manufacturers. 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 choosing a Defra approved stove it is essential to think about the style you prefer as there are many different choices to choose from. Some of these are more traditional and look gorgeous when placed in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Others are more modern and will look great in a contemporary living space.
Verify that the stove is Defra-exempt. It should be listed on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will advertise that their stoves are Defra exempt however they haven't been tested. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to sell a stove with the Clean Burn technology than to test it and take the time and expense to go through the process of becoming Defra exempt.
The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, ensuring that the wood used as fuel for it has been sustainably sourced and properly dried before burning. This means it is less likely to generate large quantities of smoke, which is better for the environment and helps keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner for longer.
What is the difference between the Defra exempt stove and a non-Defra exempt stove?
You will need to take into consideration various factors when choosing the ideal stove for you home. These include the style the heat output, style, and the type of fuel. You may have seen on our website that a lot of multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, to the average homeowner may appear to be nothing more than a marketing term but it has significant implications for those who live in smoke controlled 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 cut the flow of air 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 kiln-dried before you use it in the stove.
You can also make use of the DEFRA exempt wood burner in a Smoke Control Area if you only use 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 stove that is not DEFRA-compliant in your house and burn wet wood, or other fuels that are not on DEFRA's list, you could face penalties of up to PS1000.
Even if you don't live in a Smoke Control Area and you are not in a Smoke Control Area, the DEFRA exempt wood burner is still an excellent option since they are typically more environmentally and friendly to neighbours since they can be operated without creating polluting smoke. They also have higher efficiency and will keep your chimney system and flue cleaner for longer. It is important to remember that all new stoves must to meet the more stringent Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations establish minimum efficiency standards, as well as NOX and OGV ceilings and emission limits that are significantly higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.