7 Secrets About Defra Exempt Wood Burner That Nobody Will Tell You

Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most commonly used classification for UK towns and cities. If you reside in a Smoke Control Zone and want to install a stove, you will need a Defra approved stove. You can recognise them by their Defra approved logo.

The stoves that are exempt from Defra are designed to prevent the fire from smouldering. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel better.

What is what is a 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 tested independently, and have met strict standards regarding emissions. Defra exempt stoves are able to be used in Smoke Control Areas.

You can't burn wood without a DEFRA-approved stove when you live in an area where smoke is controlled. Installing a non DEFRA approved stove within the smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be prosecuted.

There is not much difference from the outside between a Defra approved and one that does not have this status. There are however a few things that stove makers do to ensure that their appliances are DEFRA Exempt. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren't made to starve fires of oxygen. This can cause them to smolder or DEFRA legislation stoves create excessive amounts of smoke.

To stop this from happening manufacturers will alter the air vent at the top of a stove that is Defra approved. This will prevent the possibility of shutting the vent completely, since this could cut off the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is usually an incredibly small screw that is located on the front of the stove, underneath the stove's base or on the back of the oven.

Stoves with Defra exemption tend to also be multifuel stoves, and can be used to burn wood as well as other fuels. This is a fantastic option for people who reside in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas however do not want to restrict their use to only authorized fuels. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt will also be able to be fitted with five" chimney liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer does not insist on a larger size). This is great news for those who are planning to install wood-burning stoves in their homes but are worried about local regulations on smoke.

What are the advantages of a Defra-Approved Stove?

In addition to being compliant with local regulations and offering a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide many other advantages. They tend to be more efficient than non-DEFRA stoves ratings stoves, and can reduce the amount of carbon produced. This can result in substantial savings on your heating bills. Stoves that are approved by Defra are also simpler to use and have easier controls than non-approved stoves.

When buying a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are a variety of different aspects to take into consideration, such as your requirements for heating, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. It is crucial to take these aspects into consideration when choosing a stove. Choosing for a defra exempt stove is a great option for those living in smoke-free areas. They have been thoroughly tested and conform to strict environmental guidelines, and can aid in reducing the impact that your stove has on the environment.

Aside from complying with environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer superior combustion and flame spread. This ensures the fuel burns evenly and produces a pleasant, consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means they can withstand higher temperatures and last longer.

Most stoves that are Defra-approved are able to use a 5 " liner for chimneys, which is ideal for homes in areas that are smoke-free. It is essential to remember that if you intend to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness the stove will still emit unpleasant fumes and DEFRA legislation stoves may cause a charge from the local authority.

In order to achieve Defra approval, stove manufacturers are required to make modifications to the appliance in order to limit how much air it will be deprived of during the burning process. Typically, the top air control is modified to stop it from being closed completely. Shutting off the air supply to a stove for too long can cause it to smoulder instead of burning properly, which in turn will result in a nuisance smoke.

What is the difference between an approved Defra Stove and a Non-Defra Approved Stove?

The most obvious difference is that a defra certified 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 have been Defra approved have been tested to show they can safely and efficiently burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without releasing excessive levels of smoke. If you reside in an area that is smoke-free you can use your new stove without fear of penalties.

A Defra approved stove is also more efficient than other types of wood-burning stoves so it will generate more heat and release less harmful emissions into the air. This makes them a good option for homeowners looking to save money on heating bills and who are concerned about the environment.

Stoves that have been Defra approved will usually be advertised with the Defra Approved logo that is easily identifiable and has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also determine if a stove is Defra-exempt by checking the specifications or visiting the manufacturer's website.

There are many styles to choose from when you choose a Defra-approved stove. Some are more traditional and will look stunning in an old fireplace chamber, or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and would be a great fit for a more modern living space.

It is also important to ensure that the stove you select is Defra exempt by making sure that it appears on DEFRA's list authorised appliances or by ensuring that it has the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will boast that their stoves are Defra exempt however they haven't been tested. This is because it is easier to sell a stove that has the Clean Burn technology than to test it and spend the time and money to complete 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 sustainable, seasoned and dried properly before it is burned. This will reduce the amount of smoke produced, which is healthier for the environment. It also helps to keep chimneys in good condition for longer.

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

You'll need to take into consideration a number of aspects when selecting the best stove for you home. These include the style as well as heat output and the type of fuel. You might be aware that a number of the wood-burning and multi fuel stove defra approved fuel stoves available on our website are described as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon which, for the average homeowner could appear to be a commercial phrase. However it can have significant implications for those living in smoke-controlled areas.

To comply with the laws prohibiting 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 cut down the flow of air to the fire to a significant degree it can cause the wood to smoke, and produce excess smoke. This is in violation of the law. To prevent this from happening ensure that your wood is dried thoroughly before you put it in the stove.

You can also make use of an exempt DEFRA wood burner in a Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels listed on the DEFRA site. These include gas, semi-anthracite, and anthracite as well as low volatile steam coal. If you install a non-DEFRA stove in your house and burn wet wood, or any other fuels that are not on DEFRA Legislation Stoves's list, you could face an amount of fine up to PS1000.

Even if you do not reside in the Smoke Control Area or Smoke Control Zone, an DEFRA exempt wood burner is still a good choice as they are usually more environmentally and neighbor-friendly because they can be operated without generating nuisance smoke. They also have higher efficiency, and will keep your chimney system and flue clean for longer. It is important to remember that all new stoves will have to meet the stricter Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations define minimum efficiency standards, as well as OGV and NOX ceilings, and emissions limits that are significantly higher than those currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.