Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
Smoke Control Areas are the most common classification for UK towns and
Affordable DEFRA stoves cities. If you live in a Smoke Control Zone and want to install a stove, you'll require a Defra approved stove. You can identify them by their Defra approved logo.
Defra exempt stoves are built to prevent the flame 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 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 applied to stoves that have been independently tested and have met the strictest standards for emissions. Stoves with the Defra Exempt label are suitable to be used in Smoke Control Areas.
You cannot burn wood without a DEFRA approved stove if you live in a place where smoke is controlled. Installing an non DEFRA approved stove within the smoke control zone is an infraction of the Clean Air Act. You could be charged.
From the outside, there's very little difference between an Defra approved stove and one that hasn't been awarded this status. There are a few ways stove makers can do to ensure that their products are exempt from DEFRA. The DEFRA approved stoves have burners that aren't designed to starve flames of oxygen. This could cause them to smoulder or emit excessive amounts of smoke.
To avoid this, manufacturers will adjust the top air vent of a stove that is Defra-approved. 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 usually an incredibly small screw located on the top of the stove, beneath the stove's base or on the back of the stove.
Stoves that are Defra Exempt can also be multifuel stoves that can therefore be used to burn different kinds of fuels in addition to wood. This is a fantastic option for those who live in areas that are designated as Smoke Control Areas, but who do not want to limit themselves to using only authorised fuels. Some stoves with Defra exemption can also be fitted with five" liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn't insist on the larger size). This is a great benefit for those who plan 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 ensuring compliance with local regulations and supplying warmth and a cozy fire, Defra approved stoves can provide a variety of other advantages. For example, they tend to be more efficient than non-Defra approved stoves and, consequently, reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when used. This can result in significant savings on your heating costs. The stoves that are Defra-approved are also easier to use and have simpler controls than non-approved stoves.
There are many factors to consider when buying a wood-burning stove or multi-fuel. This includes your heating needs, aesthetic preferences, and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is essential to consider these aspects. A defra-exempt stove is an excellent choice for homeowners who live in areas that are smoke-free. These stoves are environmentally friendly and have been thoroughly tested.
Defra-approved stoves are not only compliant with environmental standards, but also provide superior combustion and spread of flame. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly and produces a pleasant, consistent flame. In addition they are more durable than non-Defra approved stoves, meaning that they will last longer and can withstand more extreme temperatures.
As an added benefit to this, the majority of Defra approved stoves are compatible with a 5" chimney liner, which is perfect for homes that are located in smoke-free areas. However, it is important to keep in mind that if you are planning to use your stove with wet wood or other damp fuel, it will cause smoke nuisance and be a cause for prosecution 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 can be starved of during the burning process. The air control on the top is usually modified to prevent the complete closing. Closing the air supply to a stove in excess could cause it to smolder instead of burning properly and result in a nuisance smoke.
What is the difference between a Defra approved stove and a non-Defra-approved stove?
A stove that is approved by Affordable DEFRA Stoves;
Trade-Britanica.Trade, will let burning wood legally within a Smoke Control Area. However, a nondefra-exempt stove will not. Stoves that are approved by Defra have passed tests that show they can safely burn wood and efficiently in smoke-controlled areas without producing excessive levels of smoke. This means that when you live in a smoke control area you can use your new stove without the possibility of paying hefty fines.
A Defra approved stove is more efficient than other types of wood-burning stoves meaning that it will produce more heat and will emit less harmful emissions into the atmosphere. This makes them a great choice for homeowners looking to save money and care about the environment.
Stoves that are Defra approved are usually advertised with the
DEFRA list stoves Approved logo that is easily identifiable and has been adopted by the stove industry. You can also find out if the stove is Defra exempt by examining the specification details or by visiting the manufacturer's website for more information on it.
When you are choosing a Defra approved stove, it is essential to think about the style you want as there are many different options available. Some are more traditional and look great in an old fireplace or inglenook while others are more modern and will suit a contemporary living space.
Make sure the stove is Defra exempt. It should appear on the DEFRA list of approved appliances, or have the DEFRA logo. Many manufacturers will advertise that their stoves are Defra-exempt but they haven't been tested. It is much easier to market a Clean Burn stove than to test and go through the cost of becoming Defra exempt.
A stove that has been Defra exempt will make sure that the wood that is used to power it is sustainably sourced and properly dried, seasoned and before burning. This means it is less likely to produce large quantities of smoke, which is beneficial to the environment and also 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 take into consideration several aspects when selecting the best stove for you home. These include the style, heat output, and the type of fuel. You may have noticed that a lot of the wood-burning and multi fuel stoves available on our website are listed as DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon that, to the average homeowner, may seem like a marketing phrase. However, it has important implications for those who live in smoke-free areas.
To comply with the laws that prohibit the sale of logs in Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners have an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing down the air supply valve completely. If you reduce the flow of air to the fire to a significant degree, it will cause the wood to smolder, and produce excess smoke. This will be against the law. To prevent this from happening you should make sure that the wood in your stove is dried to a certain degree prior to using it on the stove.
You can also use an exempt DEFRA wood burner in an Smoke Control Area, if you only use approved fuels on the DEFRA site. These include gas, semi-anthracite and anthracite as well as low volatile steam coal.