Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
The majority of UK cities and large towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you live in one and want to install a wood burning stove, then you'll require a Defra exempt stove. You can identify them by their Defra approved logo.
Defra exempt stoves are built to stop the fire from smouldering, which reduces the amount of smoke that is produced. They also burn fuel more efficiently.
What is an 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 meet the strict criteria for emissions. Exempt stoves from Defra are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.
It is not possible to burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove in a place where smoke is controlled. If you install a non-DEFRA-approved stove in a smoke control zone, you will be in breach of the Clean Air Act and could be charged.
From the outside, there is no difference between an Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been given this status. There are a few things that stove manufacturers can do to make their appliances exempt from DEFRA. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren't made to starve the flames of oxygen. This can cause them to smolder or emit excessive amounts of smoke.
To prevent this, stove makers will typically adjust the air vent at the top of the Defra approved stove. This will stop you from being able shut the vent completely because it would cut off the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is typically a small screw inside the top front of the stove, underneath the base of the stove or on the back of the stove.
Stoves that have Defra exemption tend to also be multifuel stoves and can be used to burn wood as well as other fuels. This is a great option if you reside in an area that is designated as a Smoke Control Zone and you don't want to be restricted to only using approved fuels. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt are also able to be fitted with five" chimney liner when burning wood (if the manufacturer does not insist on the larger size). This is great news for those who wish to install woodburning stoves, but are worried about local regulations regarding smoke.
What are the advantages of a Defra-approved stove?
In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and offering an inviting fire for the winter months, Defra approved stoves can provide a variety of other advantages. They are typically more efficient than non-Defra stoves and also reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced. This can result in significant savings on your heating bills. Additionally, Defra approved stoves are generally more user-friendly than non-approved stoves, and can be equipped with simple controls.
There are many factors to take into consideration when purchasing a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. This includes your heating needs, aesthetic preferences, as well as long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is essential to consider these aspects. A defra-exempt stove is ideal for those who live in areas that are smoke-free. They are eco-friendly and have been tested rigorously.
Defra-approved stoves do not just meet environmental standards but also offer better combustion and spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, producing more pleasing and consistent flame. In addition they are more durable than non-Defra certified stoves, meaning they last longer and are able to stand up to higher temperatures.
The majority of Defra-approved stoves allow to use a 5 " chimney liner, which is ideal for homes in smoke-controlled areas. However, it is important to be aware that if you intend on using your stove with damp wood or another wet fuel, it will cause smoke nuisance and potentially lead to prosecution by the local authority.
To achieve Defra approval stove manufacturers need to make adjustments to their appliances to restrict the amount of air that could be deprived during the burning process. Typically the air control on top will be altered to prevent it from closing completely. Shutting off DEFRA lawful stoves to a stove too much could cause it to smolder instead of properly burning and 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 safely burn wood and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. If you reside in an area that is smoke controlled then you can use your new stove with no risk of penalties.
A stove that is Defra-approved is more efficient in energy use than other stoves, producing more heat and emitting less harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This makes them an excellent choice for homeowners who are trying to save money and care about the environment.
Stoves that are Defra approved will typically be advertised with the Defra Approved logo, which is very recognisable and is widely used by the stove industry. You can also determine if 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.
When selecting 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 stunning when placed in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Others are more modern and would suit a more modern living space.
Verify that the stove is Defra exempt. It should be on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or bear the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will boast that their stoves are Defra exempt, even though they haven't been tested. This is because it is simpler to sell a stove that has the Clean Burn technology than to test it and then spend the time and expense to go through the process of becoming Defra exempt.
The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, making sure that the wood that is used to fuel it is sustainable and properly dried prior to burning. This means it is less likely to produce large quantities of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment and helps keep chimneys and flue systems cleaner for longer.
What is the difference between a Defra exempt stove and a non-Defra exempt stove?
When it comes to selecting the right stove for your home, there's many factors you will need to be aware of, including the design, heat output and fuel type. You might have noticed that a lot of the wood burning and multi fuel stoves available on our site are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that to the average homeowner, could appear to be a commercial phrase. However it is a significant issue for those who live in smoke-controlled areas.
To be in compliance with the laws that prohibit the sale of wood within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners come with an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing down the air supply valve completely. This is because if you cut the air flow to the fire the wood will begin to smoulder and produce excessive smoke, which would be in breach of the law. To prevent this from happening ensure that your wood is kiln-dried 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 on the DEFRA website. This includes anthracites, semi-anthracites gas and steam coal that is low volatile. If you install a stove that is not DEFRA-compliant in your home and you burn wet wood, or any other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA's list, you could be subject to an amount of fine up to PS1000.
Even if you do not live in a Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood burner is still an excellent choice. They are more environmentally friendly and neighbor-friendly since they are able to operate without generating nuisance smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and keep your chimney and flue system clean for longer. It is important to remember that all new stoves will need to meet the more stringent Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations set minimum efficiency levels, OGV and NOX ceilings, and emissions limits that are significantly higher than the limits in place today for DEFRA-exempt appliances.