Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner

Smoke Control Areas are the most commonly used classification for UK towns and cities. If you live in a Smoke Control Area and would like to install a stove, you will need a Defra approved stove. You can recognize them by their Defra approved logo.

Defra exempt stoves are built to stop the fire from burning, which reduces the amount of smoke produced. They also burn fuel more efficiently.

What is an Defra exempt stove?

A Defra Exempt Stove is a domestic heating appliance that burns wood and has passed the tests conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Defra Exempt label is applied to stoves that have been tested independently and have met the strictest standards for emissions. Stoves with the Defra Exempt label are suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas.

It is not possible to burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove if you live in a place where smoke is controlled. Installing the use of a non DEFRA approved stove in the smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be prosecuted.

From the outside there is no distinction between an Defra approved stove and one that has not been granted this status. There are however a few ways that stove manufacturers can use to make their appliances DEFRA exempt. The most obvious distinction is that the burners on the DEFRA approved stove are made not to deprive the flame of oxygen, since this could cause it to smolder and create excessive quantities of smoke.

To prevent this, stove manufacturers will usually make an adjustment to the air vent at the top of the Defra approved stove. This will prevent you from being able shut the vent completely, as this would cut the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is typically an insignificant screw located inside the front of the stove, beneath the stove's base or on the back of the oven.

Stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be multifuel stoves and can 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 Zone and you don't want the restriction of only using fuels that are approved. Some stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be fitted with five" chimney liner when burning wood (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the use of a larger size). This is good news for those who are planning to install wood-burning stoves in their homes, but are concerned about their local smoke regulations.

What are the advantages of a Defra approved stove?

In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and providing an inviting fire for the winter months, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. They are generally more efficient than non-Defra stoves, and also reduce the amount of carbon that is 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.

When buying a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are many different aspects to take into consideration, such as your heating requirements as well as aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. When selecting a stove, it is important to consider these aspects. A defra-exempt stove can be an excellent choice for homeowners who live in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves have been rigorously tested and conform to strict environmental guidelines. They can aid in reducing the impact that your stove can have on the environment.

DEFRA approved efficient stoves-approved stoves do not just meet the environmental standards, but also provide better combustion and spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly and produces a more pleasant and consistent flame. They are also more durable than non Defra approved stoves. This means they can endure higher temperatures and last for longer.

As an added benefit, most Defra approved stoves can be used with a 5 inch chimney liner, which is ideal for homes located in smoke-free areas. It is important to remember that if you plan to use your stove with damp wood or other fuels with dampness the stove will still emit unpleasant fumes and may cause a charge by the local authority.

To obtain DEFRA registered stoves approval, stove manufacturers are required to make modifications to the appliance in order to limit the amount of air it will be deprived of during the burning process. Typically the air control on top will be modified to prevent it from being shut all the way. If you close the air supply too much, it can cause the stove to smolder instead of properly burning. This can lead to unpleasant smoke.

What is the Difference Between a Defra Approved Stove and a Non-Defra Approved Stove?

A stove that has been approved by the defra can let you burn wood legally in a Smoke Control Area. However, nondefra-exempt stoves isn't. This is because stoves that have been Defra approved have passed tests to show they can safely and effectively burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without releasing excessive levels of smoke. If you reside in a region that is smoke controlled, you can use the new stove without fear of fines.

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

Stoves that are Defra approved will typically be advertised with the Defra Approved logo that is easily identifiable and has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also find out whether a stove is Defra exempt by looking up the specifications or on the manufacturer's website.

When choosing a Defra approved stove it is important to consider the style that you require since there are a myriad of choices available. Some are more traditional and will look stunning in an old fireplace or inglenook. Others are more modern and will look great in a contemporary 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 of authorised appliances or by checking that it's got the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will advertise their stoves as Defra exempt even though they haven't been tested to prove it. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to sell a stove that features the Clean Burn technology than to test it and then spend the time and expense to complete the process of becoming Defra exempt.

The stove will be exempt from Defra regulations, ensuring that the wood that is used as fuel for it is sustainable and properly dried before burning. This means it will not produce huge amounts of smoke which is good for the environment and helps keep the chimneys and flue systems in good condition for longer.

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

You'll need to consider a number of factors when choosing the right stove for you home. These include the design, heat output, and the type of fuel. You may have noticed on our site that many multi-fuel and wood burning stoves are DEFRA exempted or DEFRA approved. This is jargon which, to an average homeowner, could appear to be a commercial phrase. However it can have significant implications for those who live in smoke-controlled areas.

To ensure compliance with the laws prohibiting the sale of wood in Smoke Control Areas, Defra exempt wood burners are designed with an internal mechanism that stops you from closing the air supply valve all the way. This is because if you decrease the flow of air to the fire the wood will begin to smoulder and produce excessive smoke, which would be in breach of the law. To avoid this make sure that the wood is dried thoroughly before you use 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 that are listed on the DEFRA stoves installation website. These include gas, semi-anthracite and anthracite as well as low volatile steam coal. If you install a non-DEFRA requirements stoves stove in your house and burn wet wood, or other fuels that aren't on the DEFRA's list, you could face penalties of up to PS1000.

Even if you're not in the Smoke Control Area a DEFRA exempted wood stove is still an excellent choice. They are more eco friendly and neighbor-friendly as they are able to operate without generating nuisance smoke. They are also more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system cleaner for longer. It is important to remember that all new stoves will have to comply with the stricter Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations establish minimum efficiency levels, OGV and NOX ceilings, and emissions limits that are much more than the ones currently in place for DEFRA exempt appliances.