Choosing a Defra Exempt Wood Burner
The majority of UK cities and towns are classified as Smoke Control Areas so if you live in one and want to install a wood burner then you need a Defra exempt stove. You can recognize them by their Defra approved logo.
The stoves that are exempt from Defra have been designed to stop the fire from burning. This reduces the amount of smoke. They also burn fuel better.
What is an Defra exempt stove?
A Defra Exempt Stove is a wood-burning heating appliance for domestic use that 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 meet strict criteria on emissions. Exempt stoves from Defra can be used in Smoke Control Areas.
If you live in a smoke control area it is necessary to have a DEFRA approved stove since you are not legally allowed to burn wood (unless you are an authorized fuel) without one. 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 charged.
From the outside, there’s very little difference between the Defra approved stove and one that has not been awarded this status. There are a few ways that stove manufacturers can do to make their stoves exempt from DEFRA. The DEFRA approved stoves come with burners that aren’t designed to starve the fires of oxygen. This can cause them to smoulder or create excessive amounts of smoke.
To prevent this, stove manufacturers will usually make an adjustment to the top air vent on a Defra approved stove. This will stop the possibility of shutting the vent completely, as this would cut the air supply to the fire. The adjustment is usually an insignificant screw located inside the front top of the stove, below the stove’s base or on the back of the oven.
Stoves that have Defra exemptions are also able to be multifuel stoves, and can be used to burn wood, as well as other fuels. This is a fantastic alternative for those who live in areas which are designated as Smoke Control Areas, but who do not want to limit their usage to only authorised fuels. Some stoves with Defra exemptions can also be fitted with 5″ liner for wood burning (if the manufacturer doesn’t demand a bigger size). This is great news for those who are planning on installing wood-burning stoves into their homes but are worried about local regulations on smoke.
What are the advantages of a stove that is Defra certified?
In addition to ensuring compliance with local regulations and supplying a warm cosy fire, Defra approved stoves can also offer many other benefits. For instance, they are likely to be more Efficient NRG Eco Design Stove – MultiFuel Fireplace for Sale in energy use than non-Defra certified stoves and, consequently, reduce the amount of carbon that is produced when used. This can result in significant savings on heating costs. In addition, Defra approved stoves are typically more user-friendly than non-approved stoves, and can be equipped with simple controls.
When you are looking to purchase a multi-fuel or wood-burning stove, there are a variety of various factors to take into account, including your requirements for heating as well as your aesthetic preferences and long-term goals. When choosing a stove it is essential to consider these factors. A defra-exempt stove is a great choice for homeowners who live in smoke-free areas. They have been thoroughly tested and are in compliance with strict environmental guidelines. They can reduce the impact your stove will have on the environment.
Aside from meeting environmental standards, Defra approved stoves are also designed to offer better combustion and flame spread. This ensures that the fuel burns evenly, resulting in a more pleasant and consistent flame. In addition they are more durable than non-Defra approved stoves, meaning they will last longer and are able to endure higher temperatures.
As an added benefit, most Defra approved stoves are compatible with a 5″ chimney liner, which is ideal for homes located in smoke-free areas. However, it is important to keep in mind that if you are planning to use your stove with damp wood or another wet fuel, this will still produce nuisance smoke and can possibly result in a prosecution by the local authority.
To get Defra approval, stove manufacturers must make changes to the appliance in order to limit how much air it is deprived of during the process of burning. Typically, the top air control 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 burning properly. This could result in an unpleasant smell of smoke.
What is the difference between a Defra approved stove and a non-Defra approved stove?
The most obvious difference is that a defra-approved stove can legally burn wood in a Smoke Control Area, whereas a non-defra exempt stove will not be able to. This is because stoves that are Defra approved have been tested to show they can safely and effectively burn wood in smoke-controlled areas without producing 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 stove that is approved by Defra is more efficient in energy use than other stoves that produce more heat and emitting less harmful emissions in the atmosphere. This makes them an excellent choice for homeowners who are seeking to save money while caring about the environment.
Stoves which have been approved by Defra will carry the Defra Approved Logo that has been adopted by stove manufacturers. You can also check whether a stove is Defra exempt by examining the specification details or by checking on the manufacturers website for more information on the stove.
There are many styles to choose from when you choose a Defra-approved stove. Some are more traditional and look gorgeous when placed in an old fireplace chamber or inglenook. Others are more modern in style and would be a great fit for a more contemporary living space.
You should also make sure that the stove you select is Defra exempt by ensuring that it is on DEFRA’s list of approved appliances, or by making sure that it has the DEFRA exemption logo. Many manufacturers will market their stoves as Defra exempt even though they haven’t been tested to show it. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to sell a stove that has 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, making sure that the wood that is used as fuel for it is sourced sustainably and properly dried before burning. This will decrease 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?
When it comes to choosing the right stove for your home, there’s many factors you should take into consideration, including design, heat output and the type of fuel. You might be aware that a number of the wood burning and Fireplacesandstove.com multi fuel stoves available on our site are described as being DEFRA exempt or DEFRA approved. This is jargon which, to an average homeowner, could appear to be a commercial term. However, it has important implications for those who live in smoke-free areas.
To comply with the laws prohibiting the sale of logs within Smoke Control Areas Defra exempted wood burners come with an internal mechanism that prevents you from closing the air supply valve completely. If you decrease the flow of air to the fire too much it can cause the wood to smoulder and create smoke. This is in violation of the law. To avoid this, you will need to ensure that the wood you use in your stove is dried out prior to putting it on 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 website. These include gas, semi-anthracite, and anthracite as well as steam coal with low volatile. If you install a non-DEFRA stove in your home and you burn wet wood, or any other fuels that are not on DEFRA’s list, you could face an amount of fine up to PS1000.
Even if you don’t reside in a Smoke Control Area or Smoke Control Zone, a DEFRA exempt wood burner is still a good choice as they are generally more eco-friendly and neighbor-friendly since they can be operated without creating harmful smoke. They also tend to be more efficient and will keep your chimney and flue system clean for longer. It is important to note that all new stoves will need to meet the stricter Ecodesign standards by 2022. These regulations define minimum efficiencies and OGV and NOX ceilings, and emission limits that are higher than the limits currently in place for DEFRA-exempt appliances.